I have been wanting to vacation in Colorado during the wildflower season for the past few years, but haven’t made it because it wasn’t convenient or it appeared it wouldn’t be a good wildflower year.
This forum has a great deal of useful information related to planning such a trip, but there is a lot of it and it takes a while to filter through it all. I have a few questions related to timing and locations (the usual questions one living a thousand miles away would have). I realize it is difficult to answer some of these questions at this time, but I am in a position where I can’t wait until the week before to make travel arrangements. I may be able to wait another month before committing.
1. Is this shaping up to be a good year for wildflowers? It seems there was sufficient snowfall and some spring moisture, but I may have not interpreted the posts on this forum properly.
2. Some of the locations I was planning on visiting included Yankee Boy Basin, American Basin and the area around Crested Butte. I also considered stopping at Mt. Evans on the way in (from Illinois) or around Maroon Bells.
3. I recognize that peak times change from year-to-year and it is too early to project peak times for sites like Yankee Boy Basin, Governor Basin, American Basin and Crested Butte, but if you were forced to plan ahead now with a seven day window and were looking at visiting those locations what days would you pick in July?
4. I have a stock 2005 Nissan Xterra SE. I would love to get out on the roads near Ouray, Silverton and Lake City for photography and sightseeing. It appears I shouldn’t have any trouble at locations like Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass and Ophir Pass, but I wanted confirmation from people on this forum.
5. Any other suggestions on photographic locations or roads that shouldn't be missed if you feel like contributing.
Here are some short answers to your questions:
1. The moisture is helping the flowers so far this year. The lower elevations seem to be blooming well. There still is some time to see whether the high country gets the same treatment.
2. Mt. Evans and Maroon Bells are both exciting locations. The Bells will likely have a few more flowers in July.
3. The third week of July is usually a safe bet for at least one of the locations you are looking at.
4. Your vehicle should be fine. Governor Basin is the toughest road you have listed, but definitely doable in an Xterrra. Remember to be extremely careful if you do not have much mountain 4wd experience. Look at Darren Kilgore's site: http://www.mycolorado.org for detailed descriptions of the roads.
5. Check out this thread which was very similar to yours. It has a few more suggestions.
Posted by Doug Andrews on May 29, 2007 at 12:48 PM
As to variation, on Labor Day weekend 2005 I drove up to Yankee Boy Basin. First time there so I have no basis for comparison with late July, but there were definitely (and much to my surprise) wildflowers still in bloom.
Discussion
3 repliesThis forum has a great deal of useful information related to planning such a trip, but there is a lot of it and it takes a while to filter through it all. I have a few questions related to timing and locations (the usual questions one living a thousand miles away would have). I realize it is difficult to answer some of these questions at this time, but I am in a position where I can’t wait until the week before to make travel arrangements. I may be able to wait another month before committing.
1. Is this shaping up to be a good year for wildflowers? It seems there was sufficient snowfall and some spring moisture, but I may have not interpreted the posts on this forum properly.
2. Some of the locations I was planning on visiting included Yankee Boy Basin, American Basin and the area around Crested Butte. I also considered stopping at Mt. Evans on the way in (from Illinois) or around Maroon Bells.
3. I recognize that peak times change from year-to-year and it is too early to project peak times for sites like Yankee Boy Basin, Governor Basin, American Basin and Crested Butte, but if you were forced to plan ahead now with a seven day window and were looking at visiting those locations what days would you pick in July?
4. I have a stock 2005 Nissan Xterra SE. I would love to get out on the roads near Ouray, Silverton and Lake City for photography and sightseeing. It appears I shouldn’t have any trouble at locations like Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass and Ophir Pass, but I wanted confirmation from people on this forum.
5. Any other suggestions on photographic locations or roads that shouldn't be missed if you feel like contributing.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
1. The moisture is helping the flowers so far this year. The lower elevations seem to be blooming well. There still is some time to see whether the high country gets the same treatment.
2. Mt. Evans and Maroon Bells are both exciting locations. The Bells will likely have a few more flowers in July.
3. The third week of July is usually a safe bet for at least one of the locations you are looking at.
4. Your vehicle should be fine. Governor Basin is the toughest road you have listed, but definitely doable in an Xterrra. Remember to be extremely careful if you do not have much mountain 4wd experience. Look at Darren Kilgore's site: http://www.mycolorado.org for detailed descriptions of the roads.
5. Check out this thread which was very similar to yours. It has a few more suggestions.
Check your email for some tips from me.