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Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 6:22 pm
by Hiking_TheRockies
I agree with what a lot of people have been saying, a lot of these peaks will be crowded on the weekends. Also be prepared for snow on some of these peaks, while this has been one of the driest years for Colorado the snow on high peaks tends to not fully melt until July.

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 7:56 am
by peter303
On a break day, consider a raft trip on the Arkansas River in that area. Peak flow is in June. From the Snotel curve, it looks like the amount of snow was average this season. But melting about two weeks early.

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 8:08 am
by Jorts
What's your experience level? Ice and the Apostles are quite scenic. Hardly feels like the Sawatch.

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 8:42 pm
by Ericds84
I recommend Antero's East route from Little Browns Creek. Not that much longer than the standard route from the lower trailhead, and you trade a day of road walking for a stroll through Aspen forest along a scenic creek. Access/parking is easy and crowds are nil.

Tabeguache's West ridge route is also a great alternative, although tacking on Shavano in the same day would be very tough.

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 9:00 pm
by nyker
If you're concerned about crowds and if you'll be there for two weeks, maybe you can plan your hiking days on those peaks during weekdays to avoid the most crowded times and then use the weekends for a rest day or a less travelled 13er as suggested above. Also, another way to help avoid crowds if start very early and you might have the trail largely to your self (at least pre COVID anyway).

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 10:07 pm
by SchralpTheGnar
Elbert is a good choice to avoid the crowds, there’s also a chair on Pali with untracked POW just for you

Re: Advice for my 2 week Sawatch hiking trip in mid-late June...........................................................

Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 10:23 pm
by peter303
Judging by the $1000+ weekly rental car quotes at DIA for this summer, EVERYONE wants to travel to scenic places like Colorado in this post-covid era. We all- residents and guests- are going to have to live with it. There is enough beauty to go around if we have patience.