Proper clothing for Colorado Trail in early July

[selbig]

I'm prepping for a through-ride of the Colorado Trail the first 2 weeks of July. Coming from the midwest, I have no idea what to expect in terms of the range of temperatures along the trail. I'm sure there will be hot days where a basic kit is fine but how low do the temps get in the higher elevations? I'm trying to keep my clothing inventory to a minimum since I'm packing as light as possible.

[mtnbound]

Snow is often still on the trail at higher elevations (and sometimes in very shady spots) in early July (though how much depends on the snowfall from the prior winter - this year, I think most of the trail only saw average or below average snowfall so you will likely see very little snow), though that won't affect your clothing choices.  

Predicting temps across the entire CT is difficult since the trail goes across a large region and varies between about 7,500 and 13,000 feet in elevation.  However, daytime temps should be fairly pleasant most of the time, typically in the 60s and 70s (though afternoon rain/hail/sleet in the mountains is common and can drop temps very quickly, leaving you wet and cold), so a short sleeve jersey, cycling shorts and good rain jacket (and I would recommend rain pants too) is sufficient most of the time.  Some people also bring along rain proof gloves, like lobster gloves, to keep your hands warm and dry, in addition to regular cycling gloves.

However, night time temps will drop in the low 30s, particularly above 10,000.  Be prepared with a warm long sleeve jersey/shirt, a down jacket, thin fleece hat, warm/fleece gloves, some type of pants/fleece/tights to sleep in, plus a sleeping bag rated to at least 35 or 40 degrees (though this depends on the rest of your sleep system, including type of pad and whether you are in a tent, bivy/tarp, and your comfort level).

Finally, as unsolicited advice, you may peruse the various Colorado trail race planning threads in the ultra racing forum since they contain lots of good info that you can use, even though you are touring, such as making sure to get the Colorado Trail Foundation's Colorado Trail Databook.

Have a great time!!!

[selbig]

That's exactly the type of info I was looking for. I have the guidebook and am scouring the internet for other bits of advice. Didn't think of the CTR threads - I'll give that a read.

Thanks!!!

[mtnbound]

No problem.  The CT is a fantastic trail with just incredible views so you will have a great time (as long as you are prepared - gearwise, physically and mentally).  FYI, there is also a LOTS of HAB - depending on how good a shape you are in and how light your setup is, could be between 50-100 miles.

As to weather, while there is typically good weather in July, the mountains can turn on you with cold rain, sleet and snow.  Here is a racer's story from a couple of years ago.  As she got to Segments 22 and 23 (which are mostly 11,000 - 13,000), the weather turned on her, creating a potentially hazardous situation with cold, wet weather in the 30s.  http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/2013/chrissy_nacos_ctr_2013.pdf  

[offroute]

Employing bivy-low/climb-high strategy will stretch your clothing ounces. The trailside tree tuck works for most PM squalls.

I would consider a very lightweight stove as an alternative to an extra warmth garment, as drinking hot water will warm you like no clothing can. I consider it safety gear at altitude.

Have fun planning and riding...

[dave]

mtnbound's clothing list above is very good, and in line with my experience on the trail last year.  I just want to highlight that there is definitely a lot of HAB, as others have mentioned.  Don't wear typical hard-soled mountain bike SPD shoes--you need the HAB-friendly SPD shoes that you can walk in.  That'll save your feet and Achilles tendons.  I also brought a pair of cheap, simple, light flip-flops for camp and that was a great decision.  You'll notice lots of people run a flip flop on each side of the exterior tensioning straps on a seatbag.

[mtnbound]

Selbig - FYI, since early May, Colorado has been deluged with rain (and snow in higher elevations), though it seems the worst is over and we are now getting into a more normal spring/summer with sunny skies and hotter temps.  

Many parts of the CT in the San Juans/near Durango/Silverton and even Salida are bogged down by snow.  However, it is melting fast but many trail sections are not passable yet at higher elevations.  I would recommend to keep checking trail conditions a couple times a week until your trip (try calling Velorutions Cycles, a bike shop in Durango, for trail info - the owner, Joey, is a good guy and frequent poster on this forum).  If you start in Waterton, this will give you extra time for the snow to melt out since you won't get to the (currently) impassable sections until after you cross Highway 50 near Salida (though 10 Mile near Breck which tops out around 12K may be a muddy/snowy mess but you are likely going to walk it anyway - I don't have fond memories of that pass ). You are likely going to have to hike/cross some snow fields on the trail (not easy pushing a loaded down bike up and over a soft snow field) but I would doubt it would be impassable by the second week in July - all part of the adventure.  Good luck!

On the plus side, water or wild fires should not be a big issue this year.

[mtnbound]

Another good source of information about the CT trail conditions (particularly snow and whether it is passable) is the Colorado Trail Foundation, particularly their Facebook page - they have been posting updates fairly regularly about snow conditions and whether certain sections are passable, along with pics to give you an idea of what the trail actually looks like.  The snow is melting fast but there is a lot of it, particularly in the shaded/tree areas, so even if passable, expect wet snow/mud for a while.

[selbig]

Good tips. I've been glued to CTF's Facebook page. I think we're in good shape to start from Waterton and hope by the time we hit higher elevation the snow fields will be passable. I'm not super excited about the prospect of riding in muddy conditions. I recently did 60+ miles in a mudfest and the bike did not fare so well.

I've been debating upgrading my rain jacket. I have one but it's a simple nylon/urethane shell type rain jacket that doesn't breathe. My plan was to just get wet when riding but put the jacket on when we stop for warmth. Anyone with experience on quality rain gear or what level you need on the CT?

[Adam Alphabet]

I've been debating upgrading my rain jacket. I have one but it's a simple nylon/urethane shell type rain jacket that doesn't breathe. My plan was to just get wet when riding but put the jacket on when we stop for warmth. Anyone with experience on quality rain gear or what level you need on the CT?

I wouldn't advise that method up on the CT but each their own. It's a high mountain environment where you can get cold and stay cold for a while. I toured the route in 2012. Being a Wet, I mean West Coaster I ride in heavy, wet, cold rain all fall, winter and into spring. The OR Helium 2 is what I've been using the past year and a bit and it does the trick for me. Compared to other jackets it's lighter and way cheaper. REI has them, you can find them online at a discount, colour dependant.

Driducks are also a great option for bikepacking although they do wet out after a while once they start to degrade (years of use). There is nothing more breathable, not eVent or anything that I've tried compared to DriDucks rain gear.

Have fun!

[mtnbound]

Yep, the CT Foundation FB page has been showing that the CT is essentially good to go (i.e. passable), though still snowy and muddy in parts at the higher elevations or in the trees.  However, the vast majority of the trail should be dried out by the time you get there so I wouldn't worry too much about it being a mudfest (those sections will be pretty minimal and won't last too long).

I strongly recommend a good rain jacket. Getting wet in the mountains, you can be cold, shivering and miserable in no time.  Unfortunately, I don't have any good recommendations - I have been struggling to find something good myself.  I believe some of the racing threads, including past CTR racing threads, do have discussions about various jackets people have liked.  Good luck!