I'm planning a 5 day backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells area and I'm wondering on current conditions and looking for any insight those familiar with the area might have to share.
I'm leaving for that area on July 12th.
How are the wildflowers??
Still snow?
Thanks in advance for any information/advice.
Kevin
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Kevin,
I haven't been to the Elk range yet this year, but here is my educated guess (from trips in the Sangres and 10-mile ranges).
You're still going to hit snow, but its difficult to say how much. Ridge lines above treeline appeared to be clear for the most part though there are still large cornices hanging around. The lower snow seems to be starting around 11,500 feet right now (a bit below tree line) and holding in depressions and where drifts form. Mohawk Lake (upper) was still mostly frozen at 12,000 feet. I have not reached a higher altitude on either of my hikes this summer.
The snow can be quite variable in solidity. Most of the areas I ran into in the Sangres were posthole nightmares. Very soft and worse when the sun hit them. They would have been OK on snowshoes though. The Sangres trail I hiked gets almost zero traffic in the winter. In the 10-mile, the trails get more traffic and as such the snow fields were much more solid. However, as the day warmed, they also softened and there were some places where you could posthole.
From what I've seen, the flowers are good in the 9,000 to 11,000 range, with a peak around 10,000 feet. In the higher elevations I've only seen marsh marigolds and rununculus varieties so far and they aren't near peak.
I was really hoping to avoid the snow, but it doesn't sound good. Darn those mosuitoes, they are terrible here in Wisconsin this year...
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
So far I've not had issues with mosquitoes, I think because its been staying cold where I've been. Normally at this time of year I'm getting eaten alive. I do not think that will last, so plan on DEET.
Also, I forgot to mention this previously. This weekend we hiked Mohawk Lakes near Breckenridge. We drove the 4WD trail up, but found it was blocked by avalanche debris prior to its normal end point. Where you are going there are a number of avalanche chutes and its possible that you'll run into debris from that too.
In summary, gators (at least spring ones), you may want crampons, bug spray, call the FS office for info on your route before you leave and most of all, be happy for the remaining snow because I think it really adds to compositions.
Daytime, I'd expect anything from 40 to 75F depending mostly on altitude. The temps can droppppp if a thunderstorm rolls over you, but I wouldn't expect freezing. However, it is possible to be snowed on at any time of year at those altitudes. I didn't have a thermometer with me last weekend, but sitting next to upper Mohawk at 12,090 I was cold due to wind and generally cool temps. I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, ball cap and a goretex shell. I'd guess it was around 45F. I was wishing that I'd brought a pair of gloves.
Night expect temps of 30F to 45F, depending on altitude and sky conditions. Overcast skies help keep night temps up. I find my +20F sleeping bag is not quite warm enough in these conditions and usually benefit from a stocking hat.
If you're doing the four-pass loop, you're going to be wading through waist-deep snow up high, imo. July 12 is early in a typical year. This ain't a typical year, to say the least. See my post this evening to see how much snow is still in the Elks. August 12th would be more appropriate.
Discussion
8 repliesI'm planning a 5 day backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells area and I'm wondering on current conditions and looking for any insight those familiar with the area might have to share.
I'm leaving for that area on July 12th.
How are the wildflowers??
Still snow?
Thanks in advance for any information/advice.
Kevin
I haven't been to the Elk range yet this year, but here is my educated guess (from trips in the Sangres and 10-mile ranges).
You're still going to hit snow, but its difficult to say how much. Ridge lines above treeline appeared to be clear for the most part though there are still large cornices hanging around. The lower snow seems to be starting around 11,500 feet right now (a bit below tree line) and holding in depressions and where drifts form. Mohawk Lake (upper) was still mostly frozen at 12,000 feet. I have not reached a higher altitude on either of my hikes this summer.
The snow can be quite variable in solidity. Most of the areas I ran into in the Sangres were posthole nightmares. Very soft and worse when the sun hit them. They would have been OK on snowshoes though. The Sangres trail I hiked gets almost zero traffic in the winter. In the 10-mile, the trails get more traffic and as such the snow fields were much more solid. However, as the day warmed, they also softened and there were some places where you could posthole.
From what I've seen, the flowers are good in the 9,000 to 11,000 range, with a peak around 10,000 feet. In the higher elevations I've only seen marsh marigolds and rununculus varieties so far and they aren't near peak.
I was really hoping to avoid the snow, but it doesn't sound good. Darn those mosuitoes, they are terrible here in Wisconsin this year...
Also, I forgot to mention this previously. This weekend we hiked Mohawk Lakes near Breckenridge. We drove the 4WD trail up, but found it was blocked by avalanche debris prior to its normal end point. Where you are going there are a number of avalanche chutes and its possible that you'll run into debris from that too.
In summary, gators (at least spring ones), you may want crampons, bug spray, call the FS office for info on your route before you leave and most of all, be happy for the remaining snow because I think it really adds to compositions.
Mel-
The hike is called The Four Passes Loop. Includes West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Buckskin Pass...
What kind of temps can I expect up there during the day/night?
Night expect temps of 30F to 45F, depending on altitude and sky conditions. Overcast skies help keep night temps up. I find my +20F sleeping bag is not quite warm enough in these conditions and usually benefit from a stocking hat.
I'm totally bummed, really wanted to go next week.
Might try and reschedule for mid august now instead..