Jeep trails before snowfall (car, engineer, top)

[ozzeran]

Hello all, I am wondering when is generally the last time of the year to go up the passes (san juans mainly) before they are closed off due to snow? I wanted to make it up there again in cooler temperatures but not worry about snow as much. Actually would not mind getting snowed on while i'm at the top of a pass but not at the beginning. Thanks for any information! Just to clarify, I'm talking about jeep trails (engineer etc...)

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by ozzeran

Hello all, I am wondering when is generally the last time of the year to go up the passes (san juans mainly) before they are closed off due to snow? I wanted to make it up there again in cooler temperatures but not worry about snow as much. Actually would not mind getting snowed on while i'm at the top of a pass but not at the beginning. Thanks for any information! Just to clarify, I'm talking about jeep trails (engineer etc...)

That just depends on the year. Last fall I was driving in 6" of fresh snow in the San Juans in September. Years back, a friend and I drove to the top of Engineer Pass from the east side in a 2WD car the week before Thanksgiving (don't try that now--the road is in much worse shape). So, it just depends on the year and the weather. Also, on your driving ability. Some of the 4WD passes can be pretty unforgiving of poor driving techniques even in good weather; they can become deadly if one does not know how to drive in snow and icy conditions if they exist.

[80skeys]

snowfalls high in sj mountains generally start in september