I’ve been to Telluride in the winter (in a condo) when it’s been 10 degrees below! However, never camped in the summer… How cold is it on average in June at night? Comfortable to sleep in a bag rated for 20 degrees?
Any suggestions for a newbie would be greatly appreciated…
Thanks,
Jeanine
I couldn’t really give you an average, because the temperature fluctuates so much, but we woke up on Monday morning to snow. So come prepared for anything. If a 20 degree sleeping bag is what you have, bring it. It should be fine, but you would be smart to bring some extra blankets, too.
Bring a winter hat too. I recall sleeping in a jacket with the sleeping bag zipped all the way up, a winter hat on and my nose was still cold…I’m added a clowns nose this year to rectify that issue.
Well you can burn in the day and freeze at night it snowed last yr
Be prepared for all weather between 90 degrees and snow!! I have heard that it’s best not to use an air mattress as it leaches up the cold also. OR, place some blankets between the air mattress and floor and then between the mattress and yourself… Believe us on this being ready for any weather… It will make a huge difference in your enjoyment of the feast.
Don’t forget rain gear! Last year (our first) we had rain coats but could have used rain pants as well. Our tops were dry but our pants were soaked!
Definitely bring that winter hat! It helps not only at the Festival grounds, but at night as well in your sleeping bag :thumbsup
I will completely agree with you Deb …Learned years back… Air mattresses + CO mountains = Hypothermicly BAD NIGHT :sick
Nothing worse than a cushion of freezing cold air sucking the life out of you while your dead tired possibly wet from the cold rain and just want to sleep.
Idea… Bring 3 tarps… one to lay down under your tent… one to cover over your tent… one for the show…
Oh and bring plenty of good strong stakes…and bungees to hold things down when the wind blows.
Oh yes and the wind can blow… Seen even vendor tents go flying very,very high… But there are some rules about size of stakes etc that are allowed in the different campgrounds
The last 4 or so years, I’ve taken a 35 degree bag and been pretty warm. But I don’t get cold at night very easily. If you are usually fine in your 20 degree bag, I’d say bring that and an extra set of long underwear in case it gets colder than you can handle.
Here’s the rule I pack by: Whatever weather I’mnot ready for, we’re SURE to get. So if I forget my raincoat, we’ll get dumped on. What’s that? Forgot the long johns? It’s gonna be COLD. No sun hat? No clouds!!
So prepare for 10-90, wind, rain, snow & sun. You may not need it all, but you’ll be grateful you have it if you need it!
This is really the most important advice that anyone can get from these boards…
“How cold is it on average in June at night?”
Colder than a Ticketmaster executive’s heart.
More important than to bring a pile of quarters? Maybe so…
Think so, you can always go to the high school with dollars… or the creek…LOL
Another thing. If you’re camping far from the festi grounds, be sure to bring a warm jacket, perhaps pants, and socks/shoes for the sets after the sun has gone. It gets cold real quick! My first fest night I had flip-flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirt on. Thankfully my hardy Iowa skin weathered me through that night, but only just! Waiting for the shuttle bus was torture. Another option is to head back to the campsite to drop off extra gear and change into warmer stuff, if you don’t mind missing a set.
Oddly enough, I’ve never had any problem with using an air mattress in my four years so far. I do use a pretty hefty sleeping bag though, I think it’s rated to 0. Another tip I’ve come up with is to line your sleeping bag/blanket arrangement with an old queen size flat sheet. Helps keep some of the fest grime/dried sweat/old sunscreen out of your sleeping bag, and is a lot easier to wash. 
:thumbsup
Just a heads-up. There was a young man, early 20’s, that became dehydrated last year after drinking, having only flip-flops, t-shirt and shorts on all night (out in Lawson, I think). He was taken to the medical clinic early Friday morning. Heart attack.
Seriously, Folks, Deb is right (once again). This is the most important information you will get on this forum. The weather in Telluride is no joke and nothing to mess with, even though you are camping during the ‘Summer’.
Low temps down to the 20’s and highs in the 90’s. Plan accordingly, please! We want you posting on the forum after fest!
Second most important suggestion, for those festivating with and around you…
Bevin’s quarters! :lol :lol :lol
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
Clear (mostly) crisp bright and sunny cold in the mornings. Much different than my hometown in the CLE-Ohio, where it’s cloudy about 270 days a year (And that’s just Winter!)
Seriously, be ready for anything. We’ve camped, condo-ed and whatnot for TBF, and every doggone time, the weather throws a curveball. It was snowing on Sunday last year! You got fleece? Bring it all. You got hawaiian shirts? Bring them too.
Most important? A water bottle. And a hat. Hats are good. Did I mention a water bottle? The water’s free inside the grounds, and even if it’s cool and cloudy, you will need it…the hat, too.
It’s a bit crazy how fast it gets cold after dark. Brrr
Amen to THAT! then there was that one night when we were all dressed for the cold and a very hot breeze blew through the valley at one in the morning. Ten minutes later we were freezing again!
Layers people, LAYERS!!!
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green