NEED ASSISTANCE: 4 day Loop over 4th of July

[Bethie]

Hello, We have friends visiting the first week of July and we had an awesome loop in the San Juans planned for a 4 day backpack. We even had a plan B loop in the San Juans that went to lower altitude. Unfortunately most of these trails or roads to the trailheads are covered in avy debris, deep snow, raging creeks that would be too unsafe to cross, etc. We had a plan C for an even lower altitude backpack in the Flat Tops Wilderness however right now the snow level is at 9500 ft and the trails up on the plateau are covered under deep snow. I'm getting planning fatigue trying to find something that will work. I've been pouring over maps & researching different areas. I'm not good using snotel or other sites at figuring out snow levels. Does anyone have a suggestion for a 4 day loop in an area with less snow in Colorado that may work (besides something like Lost Creek Wilderness). They've made all their plans after our backpack for Creede (to Wheeler Geologic Area - not sure we can even access that), Crested Butte & Aspen then finishing in Leadville so I've been trying to find something somewhat closeish to all of that. Oyvey! Last year we did a 4 day backpack in the same area of the San Juans we had planned for this year & it was dry as a bone with not a drop of snow. Amazing how different it can be from year to year. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!! PS. I know this is still 2 weeks away & snow is melting fast but I don't foresee it melting fast enough in the San Juans or Flat Tops for those trips to be feasible. Who knows, they may be, but I'm trying to come up with something else.

[mrgooseskin]

You could check out the Wet Mountains, despite their name, they are a bit drier than most mountain ranges in Colorado. Plenty of trails and not too crowded in there.

[Cide]

You could check out the Wet Mountains, despite their name, they are a bit drier than most mountain ranges in Colorado. Plenty of trails and not too crowded in there.

Be advised that the Reveille Fire is in the area and 0% contained at this time.

[SkaredShtles]

<snipl> Does anyone have a suggestion for a 4 day loop in an area with less snow in Colorado that may work (besides something like Lost Creek Wilderness).

You've eliminated what might be your best bet.

But seriously - you seem to want to go into the "real" high country, and you obviously realize that's not going to be do-able for you. Have you considered New Mexico?

[randalmartin]

The South San Juan Wilderness and La Garita Wilderness are two areas that come to mind. The South San Juan Wilderness is relatively mild terrain wise and so doesn't have a lot of the avalanche terrain that characterizes the Weminuche area. I am not sure what constitutes a 4 day backpack for you. But i'll assume something in the 25-35 mile range. Starting at the Platoro Reservoir you can make a large double loop that is about 28 miles shown below. It features Blue Lake and Glacier Lake. You can also shorten the overall distance in a couple of ways. That area around Conejos Peak, Blue Lake is beautiful and great backpacking country.

Map.jpg

[randalmartin]

Have you considered New Mexico?

Great suggestion. Look at this trip https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail ... cking-trip

[mtngoatwithstyle]

Check out Sangre de Cristo hikes around the North Crestone Lake area They usually get less snow that the rest of Colorado and it is a magnificent area. You gain almost 3,000 ft of elevation in a short distance but it is amazing.

[Bethie]

Thanks for your responses!!!

Wet Mountains- Yeah, the fire. Ive hiked those trails, never thought of a backpack. That's a potential if the fire is done by then. Would need to be able to string enough trail together for 4 days - will look at this. Thanks!!!

New Mexico- Truchas Wilderness is AWESOME- we backpacked there 2 years ago. LOVED it. Unfortunately it would be a little too far to drive from Grand Junction based on their other plans in Creede, CB/Aspen & Leadville. I think it also has a lot of snow right now.

Southern San Juans- Now this looks like a really good possibility! Never would've even looked there! Will be calling the NFS today on this area! Great suggestion.

Sangres- I thought of this also wondering how much snow is there as it does seem to get less snow & melts out earlier than other ranges. Kinda hard to loop there as it all goes straight up a drainage to the crest then back down another steep drainage but could definitely make something work.

I REALLY appreciate your suggestions. What an incredible resource this site is. Thanks again. If anyone else has any suggestions, please feel free to chime in!

Worse case scenario is car camp & day hike in Ridgway/Ouray, Telluride, Durango, etc.

[Hjelmstadlt]

SLV Local Here. The Sangres still have a snow line at approximately 11,000 ft, which pretty much shuts down any chance of getting to any of the passes between the east and west side. It's also melting very fast though, so there might be a chance that the 4 pass loop near westcliff starting on the Venable trail may open up. The South San Juans also have lots of snow and unfortunately much of the loops out there utilize the CDT up above treeline so you'll probably be off and on snow quite a bit. With things melting as fast as they are everything back there is going to be very marshy and wet, expect multiple miles of flooded trails, lots of knee deep creek crossings and bugs (lots of bugs). If you wanted to check it out I would recommend the South Fork Conejos River Trail north to the Roaring Gulch Trail and back down, I think you would find the least amount of trouble there.

[Bethie]

Thanks for the advice Hjelmstadlt! I called the ranger district for South San Juans and am awaiting a report from some backpackers who were supposedly in the S Conejos Fork & Roaring Gulch area to see if it's passable.
We shall see!

[two lunches]

Thanks for the advice Hjelmstadlt! I called the ranger district for South San Juans and am awaiting a report from some backpackers who were supposedly in the S Conejos Fork & Roaring Gulch area to see if it's passable.
We shall see!

their response would be welcome here! i'm 100% bailing on my SJ backpacking plans for next weekend, which is a shame.. but it will be there next year (and in august)

[Bethie]

Stephakett- Yeah, we are pretty bummed to bail on the 2 different San Juan options AND the Flat Top option for backpacking over the 4th of July. Just too much darn snow! But yes, we will definitely be back in September to do one of the planned trips for sure!!! I will let you know what I find out about the South San Juans, but honestly, it wasn't sounding hopeful when I talked to the ranger.