Hi, my friend and I managed to grab last minute tickets to denver for labor day weekend (we have three whole days 4,5,6 with two travel days). We are relatively experienced scramblers with high altitude experience though we will be coming from sea level (boo!). Hope to do some peak bagging in San Juans or Elk Mountains. I see thunderstorms predicted pretty much everyday in both areas.

1. I know this might be asking for some soothsaying, but should we prepare for all day rain or the usual afternoon thunderstorms ? Do you have suggestions for any range that might be drier ?
2. How difficult is it to get walk in camgrounds ? Where can we find best availability in san juans or elk mtns ?
3. Anyone attempting either Wetterhorn or Uncompahgre on 5th or 6th ?

- JL

1. I know this might be asking for some soothsaying, but should we prepare for all day rain or the usual afternoon thunderstorms ? Do you have suggestions for any range that might be drier ?
2. How difficult is it to get walk in camgrounds ? Where can we find best availability in san juans or elk mtns ?
3. Anyone attempting either Wetterhorn or Uncompahgre on 5th or 6th ?

I'll take a crack at answering, as I just changed an 8 day olds diaper and feel like I know everything.

1 - It has rained a few times in the am hours in Colorado. But it happens about as frequently as NY gets hit by a hurricane and it usually does not happen in Sept. Plan for a rain and lightning at 2pm is what I do in August. In Sept, I assume it will not rain all day unless something odd is afoot.
2 - Campgrounds will fill up, but walk ins are easy to get. If you try for somewhere really popular, like the Maroon Bells campsites, show up early, by 10 am or so and you should be ok. I recommend Silver Bell (not sure that's the exact name, the second campground past the ranger station). Site 11 is my favorite. San Juans I don't have as much experience with, but have never had a problem when I showed up down there.
3 - You won't have a problem finding a campsite near Uncompahgre. And there should be several other parties down there.

Keep a clean campsite, there have been some black bear issues this year, which is odd, because it seems like a bumper year for raspberries where I have been lately.