vacationbug

My husband and I would like to visit Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. We will be travelling from the UK so it's pretty important to get the timing right!

We would like to aim for a time when the roads through the Rocky Mountain National Park (and elsewhere in the State) are traversible by car, when the weather is likely to be kind, out of the highest season and when we are not likely to be seriously bitten by insects! This may be a tall order!

The times we are thinking of are either June or September/October. Any advice that people can offer on timing would be gratefully received.

Many thanks.

Gretchen

I'd say either would be a winner. If in September you would maybe hit the aspens turning their wonderful gold, and it would certainly be less crowded.

williamscb13

Go in late September. Typically the third weekend in September is prime viewing for the fall colors when the Aspens turn golden. They are gorgeous. If you go after that they will be bare and not as pretty. If you go before they will be pretty and you will definitely see some yellow leaves, it just won't be as intense.

Skip June, June is affectionately referred to as Mud Season, well, really May. it snowed today in Crested Butte, and there's still a possibility it will snow in June. Plus, in June some of the high passes may still have snow and not be passable. i've also gone on hikes around the 4th of July and had streams so full of run-off that we couldn't cross them.

It may snow on your in September, but it won't last and will completely melt within a few hours.

Nelson

Another vote for late September. We sometimes get a nice high pressure system sitting over the state for weeks then, day after day of perfect weather. (No guarantees, however!)

Late September is also prime time for the elk bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a world class wildlife viewing event.

fmpden

Another vote for September along the lines of the prior post. Small drawback to September is that it is the change over from summer tourists to ski season which starts around mid October. Many of the better restaurants could be closed or on limited schedules. However, lodging should be much cheaper. White water rafting will be finished but some areas will still have float trips. The grape harvest around Palisades will be in full swing. June, especially early June, still carries the risk of cold weather and snow. And there is major differences between the mountains in northern Colorado to southern Colorado.

vacationbug

Thank you all for your input. The consensus seems to be September and we'll plan on that basis.
Thanks again!

tomfuller

Another vote for September. Sometimes (not often) it snows in late September above 6000 feet elevation. If you have a long vacation you might want to come soon after September 11.
Full moon is on Monday the 12th.

emalloy

Another vote for September, not only beautiful color, but fewer insects and a lower likelyhood that Trail Ridge road will be snowed in.

Dayle

vacationbug,

Are you planning for THIS year, or next? I would also recommend Sept. especially this year. Both Utah and Colorado have 200% of normal snow pack which means mud season will be later, wildflowers will be later, mosquitos will be later....

Aspens in Utah are usually at their peak the last week of Sept and first week of Oct. Yes, they are glorious! Still, bring al types of layers and be prepared for all types of weather.

We have an old joke - "If you don't like the weather in the Rocky Mountains, wait 5 minutes." It's true.

Diane_Keating

Hi Vacationbug, did you get to Texas in October/November? My husband and I are thinking of going this coming October and I wanted to know how was the weather at that time of year for you..and what was the trip like?
cheers..