CO mountain pass conditions in Aug/Sept

Trying to plan a road trip here for Aug or Sept of this year. We want to hit a few trails while were out there, such as Black Bear and Imogene, just wondering what the conditions will be. Is Sept getting too late in the season snow-wise or should it be ok still.

Cliffs notes:
August or September best for CO off roading road trip?

 

calling all cars.. Somebody has to know what the snow situation is like in Sept. is this a stupid question?

 

I live in the Co mountains (Winter Park area) and it can snow any month here....snowed heavily on July 4th a couple of years ago!!! Less chance of snow in August and warmer weather than Sept but Sept is still great weather usually and leaves changing etc. Either would be good!!

 

I wheeled the CO front range in August 08. Still some snow above 10k ft but the trails were all clear. One pass was closed since the switch back washed out, I did not know that. The trailhead wasn't blocked and the branching trail involved taking u turn behind a bush in rocks. Ended up halfway up the switchback, scraping sliders on the left and the passenger side was about 6 inches from the loose gravel steep side of the mountain. Trail didn't give out and I made it up to the pass. Then my wife told me how close we were to falling off the mountain

 

I tried Immogene 2 years ago in June and the top was still snowed in. But it was freakin' awesome up to that point. From what I understand the snowpack is pretty low this year. But it is Colorado so rules never apply when it comes to weather. Always wanted to do black bear. Maybe a trip is in order this year?

Anyone know when Wheeler Lake is clear of snow? If you have never done it; it is an amazing view at the top!!!

 

there won't be a whole lot of snow up here even if you're driving in September. And if there is, it won't be anything your Tacoma can't handle. If you're looking for no snow, I would pick August as the weather here in CO is unpredictable... snow comes at any time. This year the snow sucked.

 

Here is a link to site that will tell ya when trails are open.
http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

 

awesome, thanks for the link. we settled on the third week of Sept (11-18) for our trip.

 

Hope you have fun! The San Juans is a beautiful place to wheel. Come prepared, 13,000' ain't no joke!

 

When I went in July of 2008, there was still a decent amount of snow in the highest of elevations. It's VERY beautiful.


You'll have a blast!