Going to need more information. You're talking about the 8th largest state that varies from 3,300ft to 14,400 in elevation.

Is this to see Turnpike at Red Rocks May 14/15?
Then I'd say worth it

1991sir said:

---

Looking at the pagosa springs or Leadville area. Want to hike and look for Elk sheds.

---

If hiking is your primary activity, May is a very difficult time to predict. It will be cold still, without a doubt. So hiking and camping would for sure be difficult. Often times many forest service roads don't open until late May or even June- so access to many areas is restricted until then. Some years the snow melts early and you can hike pretty easily in April.

Generally, in Pagosa, May is "mud season" down low, which means everything is a total mess for 2-3 weeks as the snow melts and everything dries up. It is really the only time of year I hate living here. It can be anywhere from mid-April to mid-June.

Leadville is a few thousand feet higher than Pagosa, so their mud season theoretically should be a week or two later than ours.

You can hunt sheds starting May 1, but it is also turkey season. So there will be hunters out in the woods stating the second week of April. They aren't supposed to pick up sheds in April- but many sheds do get grabbed up as soon as turkey season starts. However, I've found some great sheds hiking in July as well.

Our higher elevation trails will still have snow on them in May, so you will likely be limited to shorter day hikes depending on how dry it is (and road access). Some of the lower areas that hold sheds will thaw in April- but many hillsides will still be harder to access until late May. Leadville will stay frozen a bit longer- meaning if you want to do serious shed hunting, you will need to go a bit later.

So, I guess if you are really wanting to find sheds as your primary focus: You could try to come in May- as they will theoretically be less picked over. But just know, you may be battling limited access, snow, and cold to get to a muddy hell hole. It's not likely to be beautiful hikes with amazing views and green meadows to look for horns in.

If you are REALLY wanting to hike and hunt for sheds, and May is your only option, I would seriously look at Northern New Mexico. I've found some monster elk sheds in NM. Also, I find that elk sheds are much less predictable from year to year than whitetail. It can be a ton of hiking for nothing. I find vastly more sheds while doing other things like turkey hunting, fishing, or gold panning.

If you are wanting to hike or camp as your primary focus, come a little later in the year. Late June is an absolutely spectacular time to be in the Southern San Juans- especially if you bring a fly rod!

If you decide to come to Pagosa, let me know and I would be glad to help in any way I can.

When in Colorado Springs, go to Red Leg Brewery's new location, near Garden of the Gods and looking directly at Pikes Peak. My daughter, Sarah, slings beer there. Great beers, great outdoor decks and Veteran owned.