Least favorite time of year in the mountains.

[Scott P]

After work hike up Cupid today.

I have to admit though that even though anytime of the year is a good time to be in the mountains (I'm at 279 days so far this year), this is my least favorite time because it is when the peaks are the least pretty. The alpine greenery and flowers are gone, the autumn leaves are almost all gone, and there isn't much snow to add some color/variety. October in years when there is little or no snow yet is definitely my least favorite time in the mountains. While perhaps not ugly, it's just not as pretty now as it is in the other seasons. Still, I'm glad to get out and glad I don't have to work in the big city.

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[jfm3]

I went up Torreys/Grays/Edwards yesterday and I thought it did look ugly. All the remaining plant life is almost the same color as the rock, and there was a significant smoke haze in every direction. Looks like the sky was more clear today. It was 70(!) degrees at 9800' at 4 PM yesterday. Right now it feels like an extended, dead summer.

[straight_up]

Fire and smoke season!

[jibler]

really?


september / october is my superbowl season. no weather means you can go for absolutely anything without concern - don't even need to pack gear for it.

i have been known to be a bit of a later starter - so this is good for me personally. I think i got started on missouri at 11am in 2020 in october.

by same token - camping with guarantee for no overnight weather gives flexibility for planning.

plant life takes on autumn hues up there too.


usually horizons are as clear as you can get - maximum visibility!


fasten your seatbelts people -- becuz my least fav time now may be.......


august?!


that's when the smoke seems to roll in heavy and random at times - and the much higher potential for monster monsoons that blow your ass (and plans) off the mountain.



but you know who's stock is rising quickly with me??

early shoulder season late may/june. with enough snow to make things dramatic but you're still able to operate. I love using the copernicus browser to get real time snow data to scout out routes and plan out attacks. that's a huge leg up now for getting most out of early season.

[climbingcue]

Late October and all of November suck, not enough snow to enjoy it on the snowboard. Days are short, great time to travel to other states.

[12ersRule]

All those pics look very tasty, Scott P. Not sure what's aesthetically wrong with them. You must hate driving through Nevada.

[Scott P]

plant life takes on autumn hues up there too.

Autumn colors are gone

[rijaca]

I admit that this is a tough time of year for getting out of bed (I'm at 280 days so far this year), but always worth it to get into the mountains. Although it's generally dark out and cool enough to require a hoodie in the mornings, it get warm enough to ride later in the day. The critters are returning from the high country and trails are still snow free. I always glad to get out and happy that I don't have to work.

Waterton Canyon yesterday....

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[seano]

I enjoy October in Colorado -- especially in the San Juans. It's less crowded, the days are crisp, and no thunderstorms means you can use the whole day. And compared to the Sierra, the plants are relatively green. The worst month for me in Colorado is May, when it's slush-bog season below treeline.

[Tony1]

November, easily.

Cold and dark, everything is dead, usually no snow yet. October could come 2nd but the first week or two is still pretty with fall colors, and as we see right now there's often pleasant weather and the days aren't too short yet. In more rugged parts of the mountains you can break up the brown dead scenery with the cool silhouettes.

May used to be up there, but dipping my toes into peak skiing fixed that for me. The solution to November seems to be just chill out, embrace the darkness, and maybe take trips to other places.

[Istoodupthere]

October is one of my favorite months. Late-October is the first time in 2 months that I’m able to get back to the mountains so I’m always really excited. Way less people. Thunderstorms are gone so I can take my time and enjoy a long day. I’ve been lucky enough over the years that there hasn’t been much snow so I’m able to do most of the mountains on my list. Still warm enough that I don’t have to wear heavy winter clothing.

[mtree]

I like them all for various reasons. June - July for wildflowers - still some snow early - and thunderstorms! Looove the storms. August - September for less storms, late summer blooms, and cooling off. After Labor Day the crowds diminish drastically. October... well, fall colors, crisp air, and other wildlife appears. Great transition. November, the dawning of winter! Biting wind and not a soul in sight. Lonesome solitude. Oooo... and nothing like being up there when a fresh snowstorm is rolling in. One year I ate a turkey leg on Gray's summit the day after Thanksgiving. December - February, winter wonderland! Few hikers and the added bonus of riding some pow. March - April the temps are warming and snow is softening and days are getting longer. May - bluebird days, lots of snow, and T-shirt season! Makes me want to fire up the grill. Back to June to start the cycle again.