Decalibron in June, Lightning?

[flatlanddreamer]

I'm out of options on getting on with the other 14er's I wanted to do first, which I'd researched excessively. NOW this June I'm going to have time to do the Decalibron.
The rule usually is that time of year to be on the decent by early afternoon to avoid the regular afternoon lightning. Well how do I do that when I'm on the Decalibron? Is this just a bad time of year to make this hike?

[CaptainSuburbia]

Start early, go clockwise and be coming down Bross before noon. It's a short route.

[flatlanddreamer]

So lightning is an issue... Ah I was hoping to take my sweet time since I have no idea when I'll get back.
Thank you so much for your knowledge.

[climbingcue]

So lightning is an issue... Ah I was hoping to take my sweet time since I have no idea when I'll get back.
Thank you so much for your knowledge.

Colorado has lightning issues all summer long in the mountains.

[madmattd]

And personally I don't love the rule of thumb tossed around of "start your descent by noon". "Treeline by noon" is a better one in my option. I personally like to be at least close to treeline by noon if it's a day with any notable storm chance (most years, that's a big chunk of June-early Sept). I've still gotten caught in a number of early afternoon storms that way, but at least I'm below the trees when they hit, versus having just left the highest peak(s) around. (And yes, I break this rule plenty of times too, but that's with a good understanding of the weather systems in pay that day, watching the skies, etc).

Start early, even if it means an hour or so under headlamp, and you'll often be done by early afternoon, and have a good chance of not having to worry about storms. Just note that sometimes the weather patterns are such that it's building and/or stormy at 9am - those are the days you just shrug and call it off. They're not common, but they happen.

[CaptainSuburbia]

So lightning is an issue... Ah I was hoping to take my sweet time since I have no idea when I'll get back.
Thank you so much for your knowledge.

Of course! September, October are better for taking your time.

[dwoodward13]

I would say overall lesser chance of afternoon storms in June compared to July/August for example, but that doesn’t mean no chance. All depends on the weather for a given day. No one has a crystal ball.

For longer term planning purposes I would always plan to be back below treeline, or in this case the TH by noon since it’s all above treeline anyways. But also there is possibility to have a more relaxed start once you get a forecast the day or two beforehand.

[mtree]

Decalibro (notice I don't call it DecalibroN!) isn't a very long hike. Its not much more effort than Bierstadt. Strong hikers will knock it out in about 4 hours. If you want to take your time, feel free. Like all June 14er hikes the longer you're up there the more time for storms. And June is primo for lightning. Since its all above treeline when should you finish? As early as possible. Even then it may not matter. Plan accordingly and pray you survive.

[flatlanddreamer]

Thank you everyone for their responses. I'll plan to get below treeline by noon and check the weather before and along the way. I have a guy local to me that was talking about how perfect September was for 14er's. It's just hard to travel 16 hours to do something for myself when I have three children that I'm responsible for most of the year. Even during the summer it can be especially tough.

[seannunn]

And personally I don't love the rule of thumb tossed around of "start your descent by noon". "Treeline by noon" is a better one in my option. I personally like to be at least close to treeline by noon if it's a day with any notable storm chance (most years, that's a big chunk of June-early Sept). I've still gotten caught in a number of early afternoon storms that way, but at least I'm below the trees when they hit, versus having just left the highest peak(s) around. (And yes, I break this rule plenty of times too, but that's with a good understanding of the weather systems in pay that day, watching the skies, etc).

Start early, even if it means an hour or so under headlamp, and you'll often be done by early afternoon, and have a good chance of not having to worry about storms. Just note that sometimes the weather patterns are such that it's building and/or stormy at 9am - those are the days you just shrug and call it off. They're not common, but they happen.

+1. Off the summit by noon is a minimum to aim for, not the ideal.
Keep in mind it is still no guarantee. We were chased off of Belford/Oxford by lightning at 10am once.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[nyker]

I'm out of options on getting on with the other 14er's I wanted to do first, which I'd researched excessively. NOW this June I'm going to have time to do the Decalibron.
The rule usually is that time of year to be on the decent by early afternoon to avoid the regular afternoon lightning. Well how do I do that when I'm on the Decalibron? Is this just a bad time of year to make this hike?

Are you planning early June or late June? That will probably influence probability of monsoons and start time.

If you want to spend more time and not rush so much, starting earlier will enable you to do that, especially if you're coming from lower elevation and you're not acclimatized. As others have commented, it's not a super long hike if you're acclimatized and local, getting out often, but if you're coming from a flatland area as your handle suggests, it could take quite a while if you're moving very slow due to the altitude.

The earlier you get there also increases the odds of you getting a better parking spot and having less people on the mountain with you. I'd say plan to get there, to park and be ready to go a good hour before daylight or more. It's not a hard hike as 14ers go, but you really don't want to be sprinting down off those summits in a lightning event.

[Fast Jimm]

Good responses and good plan to be off the summits and heading down (with no reclimb left) by noon- or earlier if conditions warrant.

If at all possible, I'd strongly recommend a day of hiking at altitude prior to the big day. A few miles or so around 11-13k is ideal to get a workout in but save the big show until after this full day of acclimatizing with modest exertion.