I'm planning on taking a 10-14 day trip down to Colorado in early summer(around the end of May/beginning of June). I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as where to go and when?
I'm planning on making it a backpacking trip, so some place that has nice trails and great camping.
I was thinking Indian Peaks or Rocky Mountain National Park. I'm also interested in Great Sand Dunes National Park, but I don't know very much about that park.
I would appreciate any recommendations!
Thanks,
Ben
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 5, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Still expect a lot of snow in the high country around the dates you are looking for.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 5, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Yeah, bring the snow shoes! For instance, in the South Platte River Basin, the average melt-out date (when you can expect snow-free trails up high) is July 8th, with the peak snow depth not occurring until April 23rd on average. In the San Juan River Basin, the melt-out date is July 22nd. Flowers don't really get good until July.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 5, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Last summer on June 21st I hiked up to Macey Lakes. The last half mile of trail above 11,000 feet was so deep with snow that it was impassible. I was able to scramble off-trail to my destination, but there was ALOT of snow still.
Then on July 4th weekend, my wife and I headed down to Sand Creek Lakes, also above 11,000 feet. Again, the last portion of the trail was deep with snow and around the lake more than 60% of the ground was covered in snow about 3 feet deep.
But I'll also say that on both of those hike there were very nice wildflowers in the lower elevations. This is typically when I find orchids in bloom and lots of other flowers will be in bloom from 8000-9000 feet.
Last year was an exceptional snow year in the mountains. So far this year is also above average, but we are far from the the peak snowpack.
At the time of year you are considering, the prairie wildflowers will be in bloom if there is rain, and you might find glacier lilies and a few marsh marigolds in bloom at RMNP's Wild Basin (if I remember correctly). That's about it.
The big alpine blooms are best in mid-late July to early August.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on February 5, 2009 at 7:24 PM
As mentioned above, you will be too early for flowers in the higher elevations. I doubt you would have much luck with flowers in the Indian Peaks and as Mel mentioned Wild Basin in RMNP might have a few selections (there are also occasional calypso orchids in this area) but most of those flower types will likely be best found below treeline. Late May would be an interesting time for the Sand Dunes as Mendano Creek should still be running and you might be able to find a sunflower or two.
If you are looking for flowers, my recommendation for that time of year would be in the foothills. You would have perfect timing for blooms in Chatauqua Meadow with a view of the Boulder Flatirons. The meadows in Roxborough State Park south of Denver and Green Mountain in Lakewood west of Denver might be good choices as well. Good luck!
Posted by Bill Speaks on February 5, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Hi Todd,
Where do you get the melt-out information?
Thanks,
Bill
www.speaksimages.com
Posted by Bryan Maltais on February 5, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Ben,
Like everyone else has suggested, are your dates firm? If you can wait until mid-July, anywhere at high elevations will be wildflower heaven, however Crested Butte will knock your socks off!
If you must come to Colorado around early summer, as already suggested, you'll find the best wildflowers in the Foothills, however by that time you'll certainly have missed the peak blooms.
Check out my wildflower gallery. Most of it was shot in Crested Butte, the Golden and Fort Collins foothills, and Flat Irons Vista Open Space near Boulder.
Posted by Roger Rouch on February 6, 2009 at 9:13 AM
This is about peak bloom for things out in the Pawnee National Grasslands, though things can be a little sparse in the drier years.
Don't know where Todd gets his info, but I use the SNOTEL website, which is part of the NRCS government monitoring project for snowpack across the Rockies.
There's a wealth of info, including the avg melt-out date, as well as averages against prior years (so you know which basins got hit harder than others for excellent moisture (read: wildflowers, usually)). Good stuff.
HTH,
-D
Posted by Bill Speaks on February 6, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Thank you all for your help! I was a little worried that early June would be too early for wildflowers in higher elevations, but I am flexible and can go in mid-July most likely.
I guess I don't even need wildflowers to be blooming, I'm just looking for somewhere off the beaten path. Again, I have 10-14 days and I would love to hike in somewhere remote yet scenic. Besides flowers, I would like to focus on dramatic landscapes, but nothing too iconic! So any suggestions on remote trails/camping/locations with dramatic scenery would be fantastic.
I truly appreciate all of your help, thanks again!
Discussion
10 repliesI'm planning on making it a backpacking trip, so some place that has nice trails and great camping.
I was thinking Indian Peaks or Rocky Mountain National Park. I'm also interested in Great Sand Dunes National Park, but I don't know very much about that park.
I would appreciate any recommendations!
Thanks,
Ben
Then on July 4th weekend, my wife and I headed down to Sand Creek Lakes, also above 11,000 feet. Again, the last portion of the trail was deep with snow and around the lake more than 60% of the ground was covered in snow about 3 feet deep.
But I'll also say that on both of those hike there were very nice wildflowers in the lower elevations. This is typically when I find orchids in bloom and lots of other flowers will be in bloom from 8000-9000 feet.
Last year was an exceptional snow year in the mountains. So far this year is also above average, but we are far from the the peak snowpack.
At the time of year you are considering, the prairie wildflowers will be in bloom if there is rain, and you might find glacier lilies and a few marsh marigolds in bloom at RMNP's Wild Basin (if I remember correctly). That's about it.
The big alpine blooms are best in mid-late July to early August.
If you are looking for flowers, my recommendation for that time of year would be in the foothills. You would have perfect timing for blooms in Chatauqua Meadow with a view of the Boulder Flatirons. The meadows in Roxborough State Park south of Denver and Green Mountain in Lakewood west of Denver might be good choices as well. Good luck!
Where do you get the melt-out information?
Thanks,
Bill
www.speaksimages.com
Like everyone else has suggested, are your dates firm? If you can wait until mid-July, anywhere at high elevations will be wildflower heaven, however Crested Butte will knock your socks off!
If you must come to Colorado around early summer, as already suggested, you'll find the best wildflowers in the Foothills, however by that time you'll certainly have missed the peak blooms.
Check out my wildflower gallery. Most of it was shot in Crested Butte, the Golden and Fort Collins foothills, and Flat Irons Vista Open Space near Boulder.
Don't know where Todd gets his info, but I use the SNOTEL website, which is part of the NRCS government monitoring project for snowpack across the Rockies.
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Colorado/colorado.html
There's a wealth of info, including the avg melt-out date, as well as averages against prior years (so you know which basins got hit harder than others for excellent moisture (read: wildflowers, usually)). Good stuff.
HTH,
-D
Bill
www.speaksimages.com
I guess I don't even need wildflowers to be blooming, I'm just looking for somewhere off the beaten path. Again, I have 10-14 days and I would love to hike in somewhere remote yet scenic. Besides flowers, I would like to focus on dramatic landscapes, but nothing too iconic! So any suggestions on remote trails/camping/locations with dramatic scenery would be fantastic.
I truly appreciate all of your help, thanks again!
Ben