First time in Colorado

[copro]

Hi everyone. I know all about hiking in the South, but I'm going for the first time to Colorado next month and (with probably a billion other people) doing Maroon Bells. I have just some general questions about Colorado I'm hoping you guys can help me with.
1) What will the mosquitos be like the first week of August?
2) Is the ground very rocky? I'm trying to decide if I should bring a freestanding tent that needs just a few stakes or one that's lighter but needs lots of staking.
3) Any idea if the rangers provide wag bags in Maroon Bells area?

Thanks!

[Venchka]

I'm not going until late August when the mosquitos are mostly gone. I'm guessing they won't be bad unless you camp in a low warm bog.
Take the lighter tent. Improvise if needed.
What the heck is a wag bag?
The 4 pass loop is already ruined as evidenced by the dreaded bear can requirement.
I'll be somewhere else.
Have fun.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Uncle Joe]

Wag bag=poop bag.

[Venchka]

Wag bag=poop bag.

I waited too long.
No worries. A bazillion miles of trails elsewhere.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Venchka]

I waited too long.
No worries. A bazillion miles of trails elsewhere.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I should have known. Go to the source for the facts.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE...rdb5186829.pdf
The 4 Pass Loop is still safe for backpacking.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DuneElliot]

Low possibility of mosquitoes any time in August...may come across one or two

Take the lighter tent....mostly dirt some rocks. I wouldn't hesitate to take my tarp or Duplex to Colorado, much like Wyoming.

No idea aboout the wag bag requirement, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was soon a requirement in that area.

[Venchka]

OP:
Read the 11 page document at the other end of the link in Post #5.
My bear can requirement was based on watching a YouTube video. I was wrong. Follow this link. Page 3 is interesting.
http://igbconline.org/wp-content/upl...ducts_List.pdf
Mosquitoes in the mountains are a non-issue by dark.
Have a great hike!
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[copro]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the info. Now I'm just crossing my fingers that I adjust to altitude okay - never been that high. But I've read all the articles out there about dealing with it.

[Slo-go'en]

Adjusting to the elevation was my issue. Some people do okay, others don't. I did okay in my 30's, but 30 years later, not so well. Take it easy for the first week or so.