Southwest Colorado in mid May

melandme wrote:
Thinking about a trip to El Paso TX to visit family and then possibly on to the Grand Canyon the first part of May. Looking at heading to the Durango Silverton Ouray area on the way home. Was there 9 years ago in August and would like to go back. I am aware of US 550 million dollar highway and what has been said about it. I am more interested in the weather and if mid May is to early. At that time of year the weather is probably unpredictable. We like to take the jeep trails and do short day hikes. It looks like Colorado's snow pack this year is below average. When do the the jeep trails open? I am guessing it is to early for wild flowers? Would it be better to wait to go in June/July for the flowers or September or October for fall colors.

Early is not all Bad - the Aspen look Beautiful as they put on the Green Leaves - BUT - too early for the July Bloom in the upper trails - if you are going for Fall Color try to roll in Mid September as they will likely be long gone in October.

IMHO you will be hard pressed to find a more Beautiful spot to spend the Last couple weeks of September, than the San Juan's.

Look through this link - LINK

If I were You I'd try to do all three then report back as to what you thought. :B

If I were to pick ONE spot in the US to spend the entire summer it would be the San Juan's.

Best of Luck,