Colorado Info For Alpine Loop

I am trying to plan a trip to tent camp at Molas Lake and do the Alpine Loop this summer. I'm going to be in my Tacoma and may also rent a Polaris RZR to do the Alpine Loop or just use my truck. I really would like a recommendation on when the best time to make this trip is for weather (least rainy) and best for scenery and hiking. I can either go middle to end of June or first week in August. Any help will be greatly appreciated

 

Last two weeks of July, 1st week of August would be best. It rains randomly all summer long. Your truck will be fine to do the Alpine loop.
Little Molas lake is better to camp imo. It's just a mile or two farther up US 550 from Molas lake

https://freecampsites.net/#!17899&query=sitedetails

https://www.theoutbound.com/colorado/camping/camp-at-little-molas-lake

 

Just skied Grand Turk above Little Molas Lake today. Heartily agree with the statements above.

 

What Deathbysnusnu said. Also you may still encounter a bit of snow in June if we have a big winter, however the trail will probably be less crowded than in August. As far as the rain goes it very rarely will rain all day and it usually dries fairly quickly afterward like two or three hours.

 

I really appreciate it guys. I talked to the gf and we will be there 2nd week of August in case anyone will be in the area, we can do a run. I know it's a long time from now, but will update this thread a couple weeks before I go.

We will be in Estes Park camping at RMNP Moraine Park 8/3 - 8/6, then camp at Molas 8/6 - 8/8, and I booked a cabin for the last few days for 8/8 - 8/10. I didn't want to have to break down camp then drive 14 hrs, so I decided to do a cabin the last 2 days.

 

Post up here, Most in CO ignore these single off threads.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/upcoming-colorado-events.187907/

Oh, you know it's a big haul from RMNP to Ouray?

 

Thanks In4aride


CO MTN Steve thanks for the post. Yeah it's quite the haul, but the GF wants to see both, so.......lol

 

The Alpine Loop might not open until the end of June this year. Animas Forks has not yet been reached by the plows due to excessive depth on the roads from avalanches. The flat stretch between Eureka and Animas Forks is about 100' deep and as its flat, it can't be plowed over the side.

 

Was just up there this past weekend, trails are slowly opening. Lots of debris from avys are causing the delays, not necessarily the snow but there's still quite a bit up there.

 

Was out there last year at the same time and will be again this year a week later.
Was surprised how many people were out there on side by sides. We only did from Silverton to the ghost town due to time. Slow moving in the Tacoma at spots. Going to do it this year on my dualsport.
I would do it during the week if at all possible.

 

I'm ready to go now. It's already mid 90's in TX. I'm going to bring my KTM 350 excf and do the Alpine Loop on it. Let me know if you are in the area around 8/6 -8/10, and we can do some trails or at least drink a beer haha

 

Links to check pass/road status in the area:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm <--- gets updated with trail beta like washouts, snow banks etc.

The Silverton Chamber of Commerce might know before anybody else gets updated:
https://www.silvertoncolorado.com/
(800) 752-4494

 

Another one since most of loop is in Hinsdale County

Loop clearing update

Can't find the other post that said "Animas Forks is under 100' of snow" from earlier this month.

 

Yeah me too! Hot here in Atlanta already.
I’ll be out that way a few weeks later.
Denver schools are back in on the 20th I believe. That’s when I like to go.
Enjoy your trip!

 

WTF!

 

I'm in the area, I'll post up when the loops open. Ophir is open to the top only from the East side. Plows are working on Hurricane. They are trying to reach Animas Forks from Hurricane, route from Eureka is still deep under avalanche snow and debris (trees). Yankee Boy is almost open.

 

yeah, they did, but the folks I talked to had some trouble, so maybe the snows still sliding around in the current heating cycle. Saw some good pics from Hurricane, looking forward to that opening to Animas Forks

 

Sounds like when I am there the first week of August the creeks are going to be running high. Thats not good for fishing, but the waterfalls will look good

 

Are you still going on the first week of August?

 

High flow can push larger fish to areas they might not normally go to.