Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: Jack-Fir on March 13, 2015, 01:55:44 PM

Title: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: Jack-Fir on March 13, 2015, 01:55:44 PM: Gonna be in the back country (wyoming) in the teton mountains in the NF for 15+ days in September for elk. Should I expect a lot of rain? I know weather can be unpredictable but should I be ready to have 2 sets of rain gear. Or should 1 good set be fine. (Sitka cold front) gonna be 8,000-11,000 ft elevation so I figured I would ask some guys on here that may have been over there. I'm prepared for the conditions like we do here. Mostly dry weather but the occasional storm. The Sitka 90%, ascent, traverse, cold front, all the base layers. As well as kuiu attack pants, guide jacket, some base layers in kuiu also. But only have one good waterproof set. The Sitka cold front. Should that be good enough or should I buy another set for a backup. Again this is the second half of september chasing elk in the back county. Thanks guys
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: link on March 13, 2015, 06:44:38 PM: Take your tiburon and your yukon rain gear. Oh yea, and everything in between! Seriously, I've hunted the high country of WY in september several times and like you said, it can do anything. In my experience, its been "nice" more often than its been nasty weather. Most of my trips have been 70's during the day, and down near freezing at night. Pretty enjoyable usually.
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on March 13, 2015, 07:30:12 PM: Horse, foot, or helo to your spot?

Wall tent, backcountry tent, or bivi for your sleeping quarters?

In Wyoming, been 12 of the last 14 years, I've experience 70 degree weather in November and close to single digits in September. I've seen everything that falls from the sky from a cloud (except hail, though I've seen sleet several times). I live in the east slopes of the Cascades (in the mountains) and Washington doesn't hold a candle to Wyoming's weather extremes.
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: WAcoueshunter on March 13, 2015, 07:51:30 PM: Agreed, weather that time of year is all over the place. I've been three of the last five years, and it has snowed heavily before October 1 each time. But some days it hits 80. We are south of you a bit around 7500', but same weather patterns.
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: bobcat on March 13, 2015, 08:34:33 PM: We went to Sheridan in mid-October last hunting season, but I was keeping track of the weather before our trip. It snowed and the Sheridan area had 14 inches on the ground the second week of September. That's only about 4,000 feet in elevation. So, if I were you I'd be prepared for snow, not just rain. When we were there it was sunny and dry, and in the upper 70's every day.
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: Jack-Fir on March 13, 2015, 11:19:06 PM: Quote from: HardCorpsHuntr on March 13, 2015, 07:30:12 PM
Horse, foot, or helo to your spot?

Wall tent, backcountry tent, or bivi for your sleeping quarters?

In Wyoming, been 12 of the last 14 years, I've experience 70 degree weather in November and close to single digits in September. I've seen everything that falls from the sky from a cloud (except hail, though I've seen sleet several times). I live in the east slopes of the Cascades (in the mountains) and Washington doesn't hold a candle to Wyoming's weather extremes.

We will have a wall tent for a base camp and it will be all DIY hike in ourselves multiple miles and spike in for 5+ days at a time. So I will have a place to hike out of the Mountains to dry stuff out. Appreciate all the help as well guys
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on March 14, 2015, 08:07:44 AM: Ok, this is what I would take.

3 merino wool blend top quality socks (Smartwool).
3 merino wool boxer briefs (Firstlite.)
1 merino wool light weight top and bottom (Minus33).
1 Synthetic compactable mid-layer top and bottom (Arcteryx Atom).
2 pant (Sitka Timberline and Ascent).
1 Gore-tex top and bottom (Arcteryx Alpha).
Gloves light weight leather gloves and merino wool mittens.
Merino wool balaclava and a hunting hat.
And, what's always in my pack - CC Filson Jac-shirt.

Half of this would be left at base camp while spiking it. Two pairs of rain gear would be overkill in my opinion. Also take a small sewing kit for misc repairs on clothing.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Weather expectations in wyoming backcountry
Post by: GUscottie on April 03, 2015, 06:54:48 PM: I've encountered rain and snow below the elevations you're talking about...in Central Wyoming... I'd be prepared for everything. It literally went from snow to 70's within the same week in mid-September.