When does Rockies snow begin?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Greer, SC
When does Rockies snow begin?
I'm thinking about making a trip out west and back, and I wondered when the snow begins to fly in Colorado, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico mountains...
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Yep, I got caught in snow on my bike last year in mid August.
All depends on the height and road. What route are you thinking about? You can easliy travel in the Rockies in Spetmeber, but you just need time to adjust your plans in case you have to delay a day or two while on the road.
Need more specifics from you.
All depends on the height and road. What route are you thinking about? You can easliy travel in the Rockies in Spetmeber, but you just need time to adjust your plans in case you have to delay a day or two while on the road.
Need more specifics from you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
You can generally count on being able to travel the roads in Utah through the end of October, but it's certainly possible to encounter snow as early as September.
It's unusual to have accumulations of snow on the ground, even in the higher elevations, during the deer hunt, which is around the third week of October. The tourism industry always hopes to have enough snow to open ski resorts by Thanksgiving, and that seems to be about a 50/50 shot.
It's unusual to have accumulations of snow on the ground, even in the higher elevations, during the deer hunt, which is around the third week of October. The tourism industry always hopes to have enough snow to open ski resorts by Thanksgiving, and that seems to be about a 50/50 shot.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
You can generally count on being able to travel the roads in Utah through the end of October, but it's certainly possible to encounter snow as early as September.
It's unusual to have accumulations of snow on the ground, even in the higher elevations, during the deer hunt, which is around the third week of October. The tourism industry always hopes to have enough snow to open ski resorts by Thanksgiving, and that seems to be about a 50/50 shot.
It's unusual to have accumulations of snow on the ground, even in the higher elevations, during the deer hunt, which is around the third week of October. The tourism industry always hopes to have enough snow to open ski resorts by Thanksgiving, and that seems to be about a 50/50 shot.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Boca Raton, Florida
I've encountered a complete white-out during a hiking trip in the bighorns in early August!
As Tom Lehrer sang in his boy scout song: "Be Prepared!"
Jim aka kiltiemon
As Tom Lehrer sang in his boy scout song: "Be Prepared!"
Jim aka kiltiemon
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Nomad
It's not a question of how far north in the Rockies; it;s a question of altitude plus terrain, e.g mountain ranges with broad valleys to their west will trap moisture and push it up suddenly a few thousand feet where it becomes snow.
So, it can snow in Montana at 8000' feet in July and still be dry in Colorado at 10,000'. And vice versa, depending on local terrain.
But, you can expect anything over 6000' to be at risk of snow in September on. It may not stick in September, but it will make roads and riding dicey.
(When I know I'm doing a lot of mountain riding, I always bring ski gloves and goggles, as well as a camp stove and some soup. A couple of times I have pulled over, had some soup and waited for the snow to blow through, and then continue in an hour. All part of the journey.)
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 4
From: Mission, Kansas
When I took a trip there in June, we got snowed on hard going over independence pass near aspen. I had to wipe the snow off my windshield so I could see. I was told by the locals that you can get snow any month of the year.
I can't wait to go back..
I can't wait to go back..