the great divide cycling trail in October, how is the weather?

[kornilio]

hello
I and a Friend want to cycle the GREAT DIVIDE trail.
I can do the 3 weeks trip only in october, not in june as it always begin.
how is the weather along the routh? is it a god time of the year to do it?
thanks
kobi

[joeydurango]

Never done the Great Divide route, but have lived in Colorado for the past several years, and I'd say you're really pushing it to try the GDR in October.  I personally wouldn't even think about it.  I'd say that Banff through Colorado you'd pretty much be asking to get snowed on, and the higher portions would probably have snow/be snowed in already.  From Colorado south would probably be okay.

Anyone here have more specific info?

[caseygreene]

Here is our (ACA's) stock answer on when to ride the GDMBR:
early summer to mid-fall. Caution: snow can occur at any time along the route. If it is a heavy snow year, high-elevation roads in the north may not be open until late June or early July

Sounds like a fun time to do it. Not saying you will hit snowy passes at all, but just be prepared to ether hike through snow or have some possible pavement re-routes. Especially as Joey said, in Colorado. It flurried on me in Northern Montana near Grave Creek around July 15th last year. Guess thats just the Rocky Mtns for ya 

[sunset1123]

Temps will be COLD in the high country in CO by October. There may not be a lot of snow accumulated, but count on snow showers at any time and temps well below freezing every night. Oct/Nov have a tendency to be dry, clear, and cold up high... at least for the several years that I lived up there. Take a 15 deg bag. You'll need it.