Our first big mountains were the Wind Rivers, from the west side out of Pinedale. We started at Elkhart that time. Since then we have been to 4 other trailheads, crossed the Continental Divide in several places, and explored on and off trail all along for many miles. Yet there's still so much to see. Most people seem to go in July and August but we like September, though we have been hit by snow at least half the time. So far it's been a bit uncomfortable but we've had no problems. It's a magnificent part of the Rockies.