And wildflowers in July, and drinking water this summer and fall, and a... Seriously, it's snowing April. This isn't a new thing. April is one of our snowiest months. I'm a fan of Summer conditions for hiking in the Alpine, but April seems a tad early to be over Treeline with no snow. A tad meaning 3 months.
Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
I think that's really the key. There are plenty of trails and summits in Colorado that provide an enjoyable and safe hike through the snow. And they're often significantly less crowded than in the summer. If one has the mentality that hiking season only corresponds to the snow-free season of June/July–September, it will be a long winter indeed!Jim Davies wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:19 am I'm heading out to hike in the snow. It's pretty out there!
Personally, I feel fortunate to live in a place with so many mountains that are accessible throughout the year, many of which require few or no technical skills regardless of how much it snows. Alaskans may have grander mountains, but good luck getting to them for most of the year.
Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
Snowpack is well below normal:
It is below normal in all regions of Colorado.
Current snowpack (maybe it will go up slightly in some areas after the storm) is what it should be just before mid-May.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
Not to say that any moisture isn't good moisture, but don't underestimate the importance of summer monsoon on fires. Last year South Platte basin had well above average snowfall (following 2019 that was even more above average) but also the two largest fires in Colorado history (well, technically East Troublesome was mostly in upper CO basin, but it did burn into SPlatte).
It got warm early, snow melted quickly, and monsoon precip never came. We also had a couple significant wind events during the fires that really screwed the pooch. Anyways, winter/spring precip isn't always predictive of fires.
Make wilderness less accessible.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
I know, in fact it can make things worse if we do not get the monsoon as more fuels have grown and dried out. It really only helps with the early fire season. I remember one particularly bad June with smoke a few years ago, 2018 and the 416 Fire. And yes, last year we had our snowiest season ever in Boulder, but then we received practically zero precipitation until that big early snow.Dave B wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:31 amNot to say that any moisture isn't good moisture, but don't underestimate the importance of summer monsoon on fires. Last year South Platte basin had well above average snowfall (following 2019 that was even more above average) but also the two largest fires in Colorado history (well, technically East Troublesome was mostly in upper CO basin). It got warm early and monsoon precip never came. We also had a couple significant wind events during the fires that really screwed the pooch. Anyways, winter/spring precip isn't always predictive of fires.
Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
Troublesome Fire started AFTER the northern mountains got a foot or more of early fall snow. The non-monsoon really screwed us last year.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
You also need a lot of snow. I mean a lot of snow and a lot of melted water in order to keep up with what a decent monsoon season can get us. There is just no replacement for good sets of consistent thunderstorms. All about soaking the ground.HikerGuy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:41 amI know, in fact it can make things worse if we do not get the monsoon as more fuels have grown and dried out. It really only helps with the early fire season. I remember one particularly bad June with smoke a few years ago, 2018 and the 416 Fire. And yes, last year we had our snowiest season ever in Boulder, but then we received practically zero precipitation until that big early snow.Dave B wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:31 amNot to say that any moisture isn't good moisture, but don't underestimate the importance of summer monsoon on fires. Last year South Platte basin had well above average snowfall (following 2019 that was even more above average) but also the two largest fires in Colorado history (well, technically East Troublesome was mostly in upper CO basin). It got warm early and monsoon precip never came. We also had a couple significant wind events during the fires that really screwed the pooch. Anyways, winter/spring precip isn't always predictive of fires.
Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
San Juans are hatin' it as far as snowpack goes. Hopefully they don't get torched this year:
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
What snow? We've gotten a trace in Crested butte this week, and maybe 3" up high. Wish we'd actually get some snow both for skiing and desperately needed moisture.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
Successful troll by Mitsugi here.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
I've always heard that February is the snowiest month, followed by March, then April as the third snowiest month.
However, looking at this graph it seems to be the opposite. April is the snowiest, then March, then February as the third snowiest.
I don't think the graph is a cumulative chart.
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Re: Will we ever hike again?!?! Endless Snow!
A very quick google search revealed that March and April are the two snowiest months in Denver....CheapCigarMan wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:35 am
I've always heard that February is the snowiest month, followed by March, then April as the third snowiest month.
However, looking at this graph it seems to be the opposite. April is the snowiest, then March, then February as the third snowiest.
I don't think the graph is a cumulative chart.
https://www.weather.gov/bou/denverannua ... l1882-2014
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