Alpine Loop in September?

Tentatively planning a trip to Colorado in September. What kind of conditions can be expected in and around the Alpine Loop area in late September?

Anybody headed that way in September?

Thanks.

 

I have not done the alpine loop in a long time. Going to be moving back that way this yr. Ill have to do it again. The Nebo loop is a pretty nice drive also.

 

Last few years September has been the best. A couple of times I've skied there the first week of October. YMMV. I've lived in the area 35 years, worked there longer

 

Just got back a week ago from doing the Alpine Loop and several other trails and passes all over the west and I can only imagine the beauty and enhanced WOW factor added by fall colors you will likely see in a September run. It was much cooler at altitude so of course even colder next month I’m sure. Make a trip report w pics!! I also had some very good advice and detail from posts with locals responding by asking/posting some questions on Expedition Portal.

 

Agree w/ skier. One of the best times of the year IMO.

 

Thanks for the responses. Really looking forward to it.

 

Ran it and a few other trails (yankee boy basin, and picayune gulch) last year 9/30 and 10/1. All the trails I tried were doable but had a few 1-2’ snow drifts and on engineer pass we had a full on white out for a little while.

Awesome time of the year because it is much less busy. Much more enjoyable that in the mid summer.

This pic was placer gulch on 9/30 (easy trail, but the snow added a bit of a challenge)

 

September can be hit or miss. We were likely one of the last vehicles over Black Bear in mid-Sept of '16, as it started snowing when we got into Telluride. Pretty sure it was closed from that point on.

 

And it can look like this on August 23rd.