9/30/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 10/2/2023, By: loriburroughs81 Info: Trail Conditions were perfect- no snow. There was some weather that came in Saturday afternoon/night so there may be some snow now. Wind gusts on Sunday were close to 96mph, so make sure you check that before hiking! |
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9/30/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 10/2/2023, By: loriburroughs81 Info: Trail Conditions were perfect- no snow. There was some weather that came in Saturday afternoon/night so there may be some snow now. Wind gusts on Sunday were close to 96mph, so make sure you check that before hiking! |
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9/28/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/29/2023, By: RWSchaffer Info: The upper North Ridge holds a little bit of icy snow (Photo 1), just enough to make traction useful for a short stretch. The route is otherwise still in summer conditions. Fall foliage was nearing its peak (Photo 2, taken on descent). |
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9/21/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/22/2023, By: PedroCO Info: Rained the night before at the TH, snowed higher up on the mountain. Trail was good, though - not much snow on it until about 13K ft. Traction went on there, and we used trekking poles. More snow, like 6+ " on the last bit of the ridge - the steep part. Snow below the N ridge was melted off as we descended, but guessing that deeper part of the ridge will remain and build as we creep into Fall. Overall, if you have traction and are comfy in it, this route is still solid. This route is really nice - 4th time up it. And, the view from Handies is one of the best in the state. |
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9/18/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 9/18/2023, By: dean20170 Info: Did the standard, SW Ridges route today. No snow on the trail / peak whatsoever. Trail in great shape...easy to follow. CR30 getting to/from it much rougher/slower than I remembered...add 25 minutes to what Google says from Lake City to get to the 4WD trailhead. Got to that trailhead with a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk with no issues. |
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9/16/2023 Route: SW Slope > E Slope Loop Posted On: 9/16/2023, By: MidsizeAl Info: Started from Grizzly Gulch and hiked the road to American Basin to do a loop of both routes. Also tagged Whitecross which was in roughly the same shape. Everything is snow free to 13k and then have some snow (less than an inch) to 13.7kish. There is probably 3-4 above that, but it should melt quickly if nothing else blows in. Spikes recommended for the E Slope near the top. It was pretty slippery coming down. Also plenty of mud as things warmed up. Its still trail runner season if you ask me! |
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9/16/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/17/2023, By: maurer_kg Info: Wow, it's a beautiful time to be on this route! The only challenge today was about four inches of snow on the final push to the summit. The upper trail (top 300 feet) has some spots that felt a little exposed and spooky in the snow, but nothing too spicy. Poles and microspikes will be helpful (or that snow might melt). |
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9/9/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 9/11/2023, By: Abowser7 Info: Summited Redcloud, Sunshine and Handies on 9/9/23. Started at 4:00 at Grizzly Gulch Trailhead, summited Redcloud at 6:30, summited Sunshine at 7:30. Do not do what I did and try and take the direct Sunshine route down to make the path a loop. Very sketchy about a mile down with very loose rocks and drop offs, no clear trail either. I ended up turning around and going back up Sunshine and Redcloud and back down the original combo route. Wasted about 2 hours and added and extra 1000 ft. of elevation gain. Got back to my car at 11:30 and drove to American Basin trailhead. Started Handies at 12:00, summited at 2, got back to the car at 3:30. The road is very doable, but very long. Cinnamon Pass and American Basin roads are doable in a stock 4runner. Saw a lot of smaller cars and outbacks as well. Redcloud was stunning, beautiful conditions and completely snow free. |
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8/26/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 8/29/2023, By: backcountrybrodes Info: Weather turned out to be better than expected. Cloudless until 9am, rainless until 1pm. Trail in fantastic condition. Road a little less so due to all the recent rain, but still Subaruable. Rode up in a long-wheelbase Chevy truck no problem. |
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8/5/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 8/6/2023, By: ScottHendrick Info: East Slopes trail is in nice shape, summer conditions all the way. Beautiful hike. Left trailhead at 6:10 am, summit at 9:55 am, back at the parking lot at 12:20 pm. |
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8/1/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 8/1/2023, By: lesherhawk Info: Great conditions on the trail. No snow. Lots of standing water on CR30 due to rain showers every afternoon lately. Recommend high clearance vehicles going to Grizzly Gulch or American Basin trailheads. |
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8/1/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 8/1/2023, By: leshermike Info: All clear. Summer conditions. |
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7/29/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/29/2023, By: Logan5280 Info: East slopes route is in total summer condition. The wildflowers are in right now. To the couple we met on Wetterhorn yesterday, I've attached some cool pictures of you guys on UN 13801 |
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7/26/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/28/2023, By: sean23 Info: Climbed Handies via Grizzly Gulch. Trail in excellent condition. No need for spikes or any other traction. Beautiful wildflowers on the way up the gulch |
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7/21/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 7/21/2023, By: Wentzl Info: Done today via Grouse Gulch. Trail clear of any and all snow that matters. Easily done in trail runners, no axe or traction needed. |
