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Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 pm
by Idaho1
Planned a trip to CO that has been delayed until late September early October. Going to attempt El Diente, Wilson Peak, Maroon Peak and Kit Carson. We are coming from the East and Midwest. Our past hiking trips have all been in July and August. What kind of weather is likely and do we have a good chance for snow? Thanks in advance

Re: Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:06 pm
by bunny256
That time of year can really go either way. I've hiked in a T shirt the second weekend of October some years, and wallowed in a foot of fresh snow the last weekend of September in others. That said, things will probably still be mostly dry for your trip. One thing to consider is colder overnight temps for camping. Otherwise I'd say it's certainly worth it to go and see.

Re: Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:48 pm
by Scott P
bunny256 wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:06 pm That time of year can really go either way.
This. Expect anything from summer to winter conditions. Come anyway. If the weather is bad, head for the nearby deserts.

Re: Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2020 6:46 pm
by nyker
Idaho1 wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 pm Planned a trip to CO that has been delayed until late September early October. Going to attempt El Diente, Wilson Peak, Maroon Peak and Kit Carson. ...
The weather could be anyone's guess. One of my first trips to Colorado in the early 2000's was in November and we climbed Democrat in dry conditions, no snow and two light layers.

A couple years later, an early October trip brought a foot+ snowstorm and we had winter clothes on while doing Elbert postholing most of the way.

So to be safe, I'd have a few "easier to get" Class 1/2 peaks with paved trailheads in your backup plan since the first three peaks in your list above won't be fun in early loose unconsolidated snow.

Re: Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2020 8:25 am
by Gandalf69
Angry snowmass
Angry snowmass
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I agree, weather can be great or winter. I went to Capitol last year, end of September and was literally 1 day too late. Clear hiking into camp, snow and lightning on summit day, and cold hiking out, with snow all over the mountain. However, conditions can be great right before winter rolls in, not as crowded for sure.

Re: Hiking in late September early October

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2020 11:42 am
by wineguy
I planned on climbing Hagerman Peak on Sept. 12, 2019. Hiked 1.5 hrs in the dark from Crystal and watched sunrise reveal this:
ElkSunrise.JPG
ElkSunrise.JPG (112.7 KiB) Viewed 2368 times