Sept elk hunt

KHNC

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Jul 11, 2013
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NC
I wouldn't bring either for Sept.
Sept 2017 , Leadore ID, 20+ inches of snow over multiple days starting around 9/11. It had been nearly 80 a few days prior. Lasted over a week with multiple snow storms.
 

Dennis

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
430
Location
Colorado
Not sure what you are carrying or wearing to start with? In general Colorado high country weather can and does change quickly. I think you will want a puffy and light long johns.

Good luck
PM if you have questions?
 
OP
Tcatt

Tcatt

FNG
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
52
Thanks guy! I guess I’ll check the weather and make a game time decision when I leave the truck!!
 

Yooper

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Joined
Jul 18, 2016
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384
Location
Upper Michigan
Oz for oz from a warmth/performance standpoint, I'd rather carry the puffy layers than long underwear. I find long underwear are useless for me once I start moving for the day. Especially in September.
 

Burnsie

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Joined
Feb 3, 2017
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307
Location
Illinois
No long/insulated underwear, I just bring two different levels of merino base layers - one light and one heavy, rarely use the heavy. I always have a puffy jacket compressed in my day pack. I have appreciated it several times when temps on the mountain suddenly take a sharp dip or when I'm set up somewhere for the evening. It can get pretty chilly sitting there, especially with a stiff breeze. Its really nice knowing I can break out the puffy and be pretty toasty. I have a First Lite Cirrus jacket. Compresses down small, super basic and light, but does the job. I don't think they carry that one anymore?
 

BCSojourner

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 24, 2018
Messages
225
Location
Kremmling, CO
Base layers and a puffy. Have used them every year since early 90s in September in the elk woods of CO. As others have already noted, weather can change here very quickly. Leaving them in your truck could be a big mistake if you are bivy camping for a few days.
 

FlyGuy

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Joined
Aug 13, 2016
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2,088
I’ve never used insulated underwear for sept elk. I have contemplated bringing my lightest pair (of pants only) for sleeping in, but I usually just crawl in the bag with my light weight pants and base layer hoody.

I always bring a puffy. Those temps can drop fast after dark. And it’s real nice to have the puffy for those first 10 minutes or so out of the sleeping bag in the morning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

rob86jeep

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Joined
Dec 19, 2017
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611
Location
Georgia
Depends on where and what altitude you'll be at. At around 12k feet in September (Colorado), I've been sun burned and sweating at 85 degrees, and just the year prior dumped about 2-3 feet of snow over a couple days in the same spot. I would never pack in somewhere without at least a puffy and rain jacket (as a few others have already said on this thread).

Wet and cold is a deadly combination anywhere, let alone packed in away from help in the Rocky mountains...
 
Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Messages
884
At 9,500 feet it's raining, at 10,500 feet it can be snowing 3-6". The mountains are not forgiving and you must be prepared. Especially if you are out backpacking. In 8 years of Archery Elk at 10,400 elevation I have encountered snow, in September, four of the 8 years. I have encountered rain /sleet/hail/snow in 8 of 8 years.
 
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FlyGuy

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Aug 13, 2016
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Yep, this is early September in CO
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
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Location
Great Falls MT
I always have my winter kit in the truck in Montana. Lots of times the hunt starts warm on labor day weekend but it'll turn cold in the mornings and nights as the hunt goes into week 2.
 

todd238

FNG
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Messages
17
Would it be necessary to carry insulated underwear and puff layer on a CO elk hunt Sept 16-25? Trying to lighten my pack a little but don’t want to leave necessary things behind!
Probably just an additional layer of clothing will suffice
 
Joined
Jan 30, 2022
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1,126
I have been looking at historical average weather for northern Colorado and trying to decide on full rain gear vs just tops. Having never hunted colorado I don't know what to expect. Do you guys run full rain gear or just tops?
 
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