Wind River Range in Later September

I am planning a trip from September 20-27 to the Wind River Range with our sites on climbing the North Ridge on Ellingwood.  It will be my first time in the area and I have concerns that the we might be pushing the season a little late there.  Of course it is speculative to consider what the weather might be 3 months from now, but I was curious if anyone has had any experiences exploring the area and climbing in late September and if it is worth me pressing the "purchase" button on my flight.  Thanks so much for your expertise and consideration.

I've climbed in the Range earlier in September ( first 10 days), but considerably further south and lower altitude ( Deep Lake). We had very variable weather, some good days but more unstable to stormy ones, but I guess that is generally true for most of the summer as well!!!! I would think that you would be pushing your luck that late in the season and that far north.

Alan Rubinwrote:

I've climbed in the Range earlier in September ( first 10 days), but considerably further south and lower altitude ( Deep Lake). We had very variable weather, some good days but more unstable to stormy ones, but I guess that is generally true for most of the summer as well!!!! I would think that you would be pushing your luck that late in the season and that far north.

+1

You could have a great trip or it could be really snowy. Last several years late September has been great. Even in to early October. Cold nights maybe but more and more it’s been unseasonably mild at that time of year. Also more and more forest fire smoke from farther west has been an issue later in summer season than it used to be.

Thats a great fun aesthetic route. Figure out as much of the decent as you can ahead of time,  it is kind of long. Late September north facing might be a bit chilly climbing but you just never can tell. At least you won’t have mosquitoes.

Summit of Ellingwood on 02 September a few years ago...

The climbing is pretty shady.  I think if you had unusually warm weather for late September you'd be ok as long as it hadn't precip'd for a few days prior.  That time of year, likely would be snow.

Lots of other stuff nearby (relatively speaking..ha ha).  Easy enough to pivot onto a sunnier aspect on a different venue.

So...maybe.  Another thing to consider...days are damn short.  It's a longish route.  If you're experienced with moving quickly in that type of terrain then no biggie.  If not...it gets pretty chilly when the sun goes down (and if there's precip...brrr....).

It's hard to say conclusively about weather in late Sept.  But...there is a high probability of unstable, perhaps snowy weather at that point, esp farther north in the range.  Even Deep Lake can be ify then.  If it has to be Sept, I would go for early in the month and have an alternative plan.  We've been here 30+ years and Sept, though nice because the bugs are frozen away, can be bad.  It's a crap shoot.