How late is too late to do Imogene (and others)

Long story short, my dad and I have been planning epic outdoor trips for the last 4 years.

Between his health issues, my surgeries, other misc. stuff, they keep getting cancelled. Every single one of them.

We had planned to drive from Charlotte NC to Denver CO right after Labor Day this year. We were going to spend a few days around Denver, then head to Ouray/Telluride for a few days, and then head to Moab.

Unfortunately, my mom needs knee surgery. In attempts to salvage the trip, we MAY be able to push it back two weeks. We would be doing Imogene Pass (and others out that way), around September 27th or so.

I know there is no way to predict weather, but I figured querying some locals as to how late these passes typically stay open?

 

I don’t have any information on the passes, maybe call the Forest Service or check their website. I’ll say generally speaking it usually doesn’t snow till mid October and that September/early October is a nice time to visit Colorado. Most of the tourists have left town, it’s cooled off considerably but not real cold yet although can be at night. The Aspens may or may not be changing color. Hope your trip works out!

 

CORE
*Trails Report*
6/21/22
**Do not go around downed trees or snow, do not go around obstacles.**
***Travel at your own risk, conditions can change. This is only an informational post. You are responsible for your own vehicle and your actions***
Central Colorado Mountains
All of Fourmile North - Open
All of Fourmile South - Open
Chinaman Gulch - Open
Carnage Canyon - Open
Mineral Basin - Open
Ptarmigan Lake - Open
Hope Gulch - Open
Tincup Pass - Open
Cumberland Pass - Open
Hancock Lake - Open
West Alpine Tunnel (Pitkin) - Closed for rock scaling.
Hancock Pass - Not open all the way through due to the rock scaling closure
Pomeroy Lake - Open
Grizzly Lake - Open
Mount Antero - Open
Mount White - Open
Browns Lake - Open
Baldwin Lake - Open
Mount Princeton - Open
Clohesy Lake- Open
Marshall Pass - Open
Billings Lake - Open
Saxon Mountain - Open
Rimrocker - Open
Slaughterhouse (Bailey) - Open
Mosquito Pass - Open to snowfield below summit (Alma), Open to summit (Leadville).
Red Cone - Gate is closed
Tomichi - Open to summit (White Pine), not passable yet for full-size vehicle (Hancock).
Wheeler Lake - Open
Bill Moore Lake - Open
Red Elephant - Open
Spring Creek - Open
Holy Cross - Open to the city.
San Juan Mountains
Cinnamon Pass - Open
Ophir Pass - Open
Yankee Boy Basin - Open
Governor Basin - Open
Animas Forks - Open
Engineer - Open
Imogene - Open to the top on Ouray side. Closed on San Miguel side for bridge replacement.
Corkscrew - Open
Black Bear - Closed
Poughkeepsie - Closed
**We report on, and around, our adopted trails first. If we get credible information concerning other popular trails, we will include them in future reports. If you don't see a trail listed, we don't have a conditions report or you simply can't get to the trailhead yet. These reports are from first-hand accounts and are accurate on the day published. 'Open with snow on the road' means, to get to the point in the update you have to drive, on the trail, through the snow. This could mean using big tires at low air pressure and/or chains. This is not recommended for stock vehicles, know your limits. Conditions are constantly changing. If/when you venture out, do not go off-trail to go around snow. Stay the Trail at all times.**

 

Imogene can/ has been closed due to snow in Sept (13K+ Elevation, I have seen it snow here in evenings throughout the summer). There just is no way to predict this, other then to check status before heading out.

https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions

Even today both Black Bear and Imogene (Telluride side- Bridge Repair) are closed.

 

Typically, no real snow in Colorado until October, with that said, there have been blizzards in September before, especially at higher elevation. You won’t know without checking the weather in a few days before you leave.

 

Go, but be flexible. I've been in Colorado and had to alter plans because passes were temporarily closed due to snow in June and July. You might have to wait a day or two to get into higher elevations. I'd think most of the trails at lower elevations and in Moab would be open regardless.

 

Thanks for the updates everyone. I am going to try to make it. My mom has her surgery in about two weeks, and should be very obvious how her recovery is going. Fingers crossed.

I spent about 12k on my truck this year to make it as good as I can for this trip, lol.

 

It's extremely beautiful in that part of co so even if it's closed it's worth the trip

 

It's a 5k mile round trip with the goal to do some high elevation passes. Lots of money just on gas to spend

 

Since we’re all talking about freaky Colorado weather, I used to live in Colorado Springs and Monument.

One June, that’s right June, my parents flew out to see me in Monument. The day before they landed, we had a blizzard at my house at about 8500 feet, and we had a foot of snow which had melted by the next day because it’s typically warmer that time of year.

My mom wanted to see Pikes Peak and we made two attempts to drive up, we’re still talking about June here, it was cold as hell and snowing at the 10,000 foot gift shop.

My parents never made it to the summit that year.

I dated a girl in Woodland Park and once got stuck at her place by a freak September snowstorm.

You just never know.

 

Good luck brother!

 

As others said, go but be flexible.
Also, take a good set of tire chains with you, ensure you have extra warm clothes, water, food and be prepared to spend a night at elevation if you get stuck.

 

I did a small trip a couple years ago. colorado springs, crested butte, grand junction for colorado monument, to ridgeway, alta lake, then telluride over labor day, so early september.

first part of the trip was great. got to junction and it was like 100 degrees, no joke. stayed in ridgeway the next night, a little cooler. the plan was to camp at alta lake, just south of telluride tuesday night since we thought everyone would be going home since the long weekend was over. got to alta lake at like 9am tuesday morning, only a couple people there. we set up the rtt and walk around the lakes for an hour or two. planned on pulling out our fly rods, but it started snowing. so we sat in the rtt for about an hour to let it blow over. look outside and there was a bit of snow. there was 2 other groups left, 1 was packing up and the other was already leaving.

the road to alta lake isn't very technical, but narrow and steep at points. if the snow kept up, it was a very real possibility we would be stuck there a couple days. so we scramble to pack up. closing my rtt was not easy in the wet cold. manage to follow the last group down, and proceed to take like 2 1/2 hours to get to ouray because the roads were covered in snow and it was the closest place we could find a hotel.

had to cancel a couple reservations at places and drove home to colorado springs the next day. even then, going over monarch pass was kinda skechy, only the west side though.

so you never know. it changes really fast around here. it was clear 2 days later.

good luck and hopefully you get to do your full trip

picture is at the start of alta lake road before you get on 145 after we drove down. doesnt look bad, but i was a little nervous

 

At those elevations one needs to be prepared for winter conditions at any time of the year. Even if snow is not in the forecast thunderstorms and torrential rains with road washouts are also possible. As others have stated. Go and be flexible. But I would say have alternative options pre-planned. Don't wait until your first choice falls thru. If possible have a second vehicle as capable as yours's part of the plan.

 

Usually go the last week of Sept. Seen snow a few times in the last 20 years but usually good. Went once in July and woke up to a foot of snow at Lake City

 

Moab is only about 2 hours away too you can do fins and things and hells revenge

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njLv3Q18KEU
You reminded me of this craziness on Black Bear (Storm- Flash Flood, Trail cut)

*Good flash flood parts start at 24 min mark

 

Kind of what made me to think of the potential problem along with the knowledge that Colorado Mountains are known for afternoon thunderstorms and the recent flash floods in Utah.