10/1/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/2/2017, By: richarddittmer Info: Lots of snow! Started around 7:45 AM, going at a slower pace with my partner. Cold but summer conditions with not snow from the trailhead up to right before tree line. There the snow and wind got exponentially worse. 8 or 9 other people that we saw on the way up and 6 or 7 of them came back down without summiting. Snow went from 2 or 3" around tree line to up to 2 or 3' at the false summit area. Wind was tremendous to the point of swaying our bodies as we hiked. Gave up and turned back right after the false summit area. Snow was too deep and trail was indistinguishable combined with heavy wind and snowfall at this point. Couldn't see any break in the heavy snow clouds. Had microspikes, but flotation would've been more helpful on the last pitch to the peak. Probably could've made the final push but it would've been flirting with nightfall and even lower temps and not sure my partner could've made it either. Lost a white Samsung J7 along with ID (for Ashleigh) toward the bottom of the incline that heads up to the saddle. Please message if found. |
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9/24/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 9/25/2017, By: kayleenann8 Info: Left TH at 5:30 am. Trail was snow free until we hit the ridge. There was a light dusting of snow as we were ascending. Snow is starting to accumulate a bit where it is drifting on the mountain. I thought micro spikes and boots were helpful higher up as the dirt is frozen. The summit itself probably had an inch or two of snow with almost total coverage. Some of the snow had melted out by the time of our descent but some of it looks like it's going to stick around. Got in two mini glissades :) |
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8/31/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 8/31/2017, By: Alan Ellis Info: Great route! A little muddy in the basin but some kind soul has put rocks in the muddy spots to keep your feet dry. Trail kinda wanders through the willows but trail is fairly easy to follow. Headwall is sandy and loose but not dangerous. The big hill after the headwall is rocky and steep but solid. After that, summit is easy. |
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8/19/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 8/22/2017, By: asadarnell Info: SW Ridge was overall good condition. Trailhead to Basin was excellent condition. A few muddy spots in the basin but not bad at all. Steep climb to the ridge around 12,500' was mostly loose dirt/gravel/sand but it's a short section. From 12,800 to summit is good condition on tundra or rock. |
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8/1/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 8/1/2017, By: Flyingfish Info: The willow swamp is a mess and terrible to hike through if it has rained recently. The trail from the willows to the ridge crest is super steep and loose so be careful. After gaining the ridge the hike is straight forward and fun. |
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7/22/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/22/2017, By: thefrush Info: Trail is in great shape. Was damp this morning from the previous night's rain but little to no mud and the small amount of snow that is left up high is completely avoidable. |
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7/21/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 7/23/2017, By: E_A_Marcus_949 Info: SW ridge in good condition through treeline. In the basin through the willows is quite marshy and muddy - beware of slipping and puddles. The trail up the gully to 12,800' is steep and eroding - very slippery on the way down... poles are helpful, be careful, and go slowly. The boulder field/talus slope (photos 9/10 on route description) is difficult to follow. Stay toward the middle if you can where the cairned route is - the ridge is energy-draining. it's easier to follow on the way down than up. After that the route is simple to follow up the SW ridge to the summit. No snowfields or any issues. Wildflowers in full bloom! |
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7/16/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/17/2017, By: sky_high Info: Wildflower season is upon us! Had a strikingly beautiful climb up La Plata today. Trail is clear and dry with very few places that are even slightly muddy. Route is in excellent condition up to the saddle, after which the trail braids with lots of pedestrian detours. Some snow to the NW in the middle of the major push from 12,500 to 14,000. Most people detoured around this by climbing on the rocks and you definitely do not need any traction for this trail. Plenty of water access along the entire trail and lots of foot traffic all weekend. For those looking to camp, arrive early and bring a high-clearance vehicle (6-8" minimum). The FS road is mostly dry but very uneven with some major holes and rises. |
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7/15/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 7/17/2017, By: andrewdbarr Info: Passage to the trail is fine all the way to the wooden sign that marks the start of the trail. Trailhead is in great shape. Moderate marshy conditions around 11,200' so bring waterproof boots if possible. No snow to contend with. Slightly slow going on the first false summit and difficult to follow cairns. Highly recommend this route as we saw less than 20 people all day. |
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7/13/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/17/2017, By: ScottHendrick Info: The trail was a bit damp for the first 1.5 miles, but dry after that. Overall the trail is well-marked and well-engineered. There was no snow on any trail segments. Foggy clouds hovered over the summit all morning, but amounted to nothing. |
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7/9/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/9/2017, By: aaroncues Info: Trail dry - a snowfield or two that can be avoided. |
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7/9/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 7/10/2017, By: Kaydubs17 Info: Very muddy in the marsh areas, backpacked in Saturday night for the full moon, started about a mile in Sunday morning at 6:50am, reached the summit at 10:15am, back to the trailhead at 1:15pm after packing up camp. Super slick, steep sections on the way down, definitely happy I had my hiking poles. All snow up at the top is avoidable. Enjoy the gorgeous views! |
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7/2/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/3/2017, By: shusker Info: Trail was dry and easy to find. We were misled by a previous report on here that said time to summit was 2.5 hours, which seems like a stretch. I'm sure it can be done, but only by the most experienced and in shape. It took us 4 hours to summit and we're all in pretty good shape and acclimated to elevation. Roundtrip time was 7 hours. |
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7/2/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/3/2017, By: mtndawg84 Info: Trail was almost completely dry and very easy to find. Kept moving and made the round trip in 5hrs. Great day! |
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7/1/2017 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/1/2017, By: cwl421 Info: Beautiful day. Trail was in good condition all the way. Snow fields can be easily avoided. |
