3 replies to this topic

[hayperk]

I am planning a visit the first weekend in October.....only a few weeks away! WooHoo! Anyway, we always visit in July/August so I am wondering what kind of weather to expect. What are the chances of Trail Ridge being shut down? Were flying so out so we won't have room for a lot of unnecessary items..will sweatshirts be warm enough, or do we need to bring jackets too? Also, what about the leaves, will they still be on the trees, or are we going to be too late to see the golden aspens???

Thanks!

[Weasel]

Expect the unexpected. It could be warm bordering on hot, or could be snowing. I would just wait until the last minute for figuring out what to pack, but as a minimum you should have a windbreaker type of jacket and some layers of varying warmth no matter what the forecast says. Temps can swing quite a bit from active daytime hiking to nighttime sitting around. It's impossible to predict TRR and leaf status - you should be fine on both accounts, the leaves are a safer bet than TRR though.

[Johnkykong]

Expect the unexpected. It could be warm bordering on hot, or could be snowing. I would just wait until the last minute for figuring out what to pack, but as a minimum you should have a windbreaker type of jacket and some layers of varying warmth no matter what the forecast says. Temps can swing quite a bit from active daytime hiking to nighttime sitting around. It's impossible to predict TRR and leaf status - you should be fine on both accounts, the leaves are a safer bet than TRR though.

I couldn't agree more about expecting the unexpected. We have been out during the first week of October the past two years. In 2006 it was snowing hard while we were camping at the Glacier Gorge Backcountry site. After a couple of days of this we thought it might help if we came down in elevation and set up camp in Moraine Park. Didn't help a bit, only snowed harder and got colder. It ended up snowing lightly for about 2-1/2 days. In 2007 the weather was warm and we were hiking in shorts. There hadn't been much sign of snow yet and things couldn't have been more beautiful.

Even during the snow the aspens were still in full color at lower elevations. My guess is you won't be there for the peak of the season, kind of the end of it....but, you will see some color around still.

So, yes, bring clothing for all conditions.....Who knows what you will run into but it will be fun for you no matter what!

[ywguide]

When my clients ask me what to wear, I tell them to be prepared for weather between 35 degrees and 75 degrees. Especially if you want to watch the elk rut in the evening, temps drop about 10 - 15 degrees in the span of 20 minutes. It gets down right cold then.

In July I wore my winter jacket, gloves, and winter hat 3 times while I hung out around the rock cut.