6/29/2019 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 6/30/2019, By: HikerBox Info: Halfmoon creek is RAGING. It was crotch deep on me (5'8") and moving fast at the jeep road crossing but at least it was short. Probably 6 or 7 steps to get through the deepest/fastest part but I could feel the water pushing me. South Halfmoon creek was also raging hard, surprising for such a little drainage area. I ended up following a social trail then bushwacking uphill 100 yards or so to where a tree crossed it and using that. A couple down trees and three avalanche debris piles between 11k and 11.5k - snow starts to become continuous near 11.8k and was posthole hell so I turned around. I was worried about being too exhausted to re-cross Halfmoon creek safely. Better give this one a few weeks folks. |
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7/2/2018 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 7/3/2018, By: HikerGuy Info: Summer conditions, no snow to cross. The slog up French is not very fun, but the ridge run over to Casco is a blast. It can be kept to Class 2+, but you'll have more fun staying closer to the top of the ridge with the occasional Class 3 move. Decent trail coming off Casco. Very dry up there, but small streams still plentiful. |
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9/16/2017 Route: French/Frasco/Casco/Lackawanna/13660B Combo Posted On: 9/16/2017, By: JasonKline Info: Got under an inch of snow on September 16, but the snow promptly melted except for north-facing slopes. Slippy at points between Casco and Frasco, which was already the toughest part of the hike. There were some decent winds and relatively cold temperatures with the snow, so winter is on its way. |
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8/27/2017 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 8/28/2017, By: LetsGoMets Info: First water crossing at trailhead is low and easy to get across on foot (and probably decent clearance 4WD). I wouldn't advise taking anything stock up to the Second water crossing (.9ish miles up). That said, you can walk it without getting wet. Rest of the road is in mostly brilliant shape to the mine. Tiny bit of snow between Frasco and French on the ridge but easily avoidable. Enjoy the view of 50+ people on Elbert while your by yourself. |
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7/1/2017 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 7/2/2017, By: fakejox Info: With the exception of a few sun-cupped sections between French and Frasco BM, as well as on the descent from Casco, the route is snow-free. Creek is running high and was difficult to cross without getting wet. Otherwise, fabulous day and happy to have a mountain to ourselves on 4th of July weekend. |
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7/5/2016 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 7/5/2016, By: tjf242424 Info: A few insignificant snow patches on the climb up Frasco. Otherwise, the whole route is snow free and there is no need for traction. I forded Halfmoon Creek (knee deep but flowing fast) and was able to rock hop across South Halfmoon Creek without getting my feet wet. The road to the trailhead is in good shape. No problems in a 2011 Outback. |
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5/14/2016 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 5/15/2016, By: RyGuy Info: Heavy, deep snow on the trail from the Halfmoon Creek crossing all the way into the basin. The snow was quite supportive with snowshoes until late morning, then the trap-doors started coming out to play. |
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7/19/2015 Route: French & FrascoBM Posted On: 7/19/2015, By: Jay521 Info: Route is in good shape. All snow can be avoided going to French. A little snow going to Frasco that poses no real problem. |
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6/28/2015 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 6/28/2015, By: Ceastar Info: Crossed the creek on the turnoff to 110j without incident in my Tacoma, but creek is running a bit high. Made it up .5 miles to the second creek crossing but would not recommend without high clearance good 4WD. Second creek crossing looks scary--heavy runoff, uncertain rocks, and gnarly greeting on the other side. I wasn't the only one to park it here, which is a shame since the next three miles are milder than the first half mile. A few patches of chunky snow persist on the road at about 12,000. Otherwise, it's a wet and sometimes slippery walk to the mine. French is holding slushy snow with slide activity. Iron Mike mine and a herd of elk for company were good enough for the day. |
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10/5/2014 Route: South Slopes Posted On: 10/5/2014, By: mrickers Info: French‘s S Slopes is pretty much clear of snow. Some snow down on the road to the mine. No traction necessary. Traverse to Frasco BM is mostly clear of snow as well. Few patches, but only a couple inches deep. Didn‘t go over to Casco, but the ridge between Frasco/Casco looked pretty snowy. |
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10/20/2012 Route: French/Frasco/Casco Combo Posted On: 10/21/2012, By: BobbyFinn Info: Insignificant snow on the ridge from Casco and Frasco. No snow on the south face. Pic is from Casco looking toward French. |
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9/15/2012 Route: Standard Posted On: 9/15/2012, By: CarpeDM Info: No snow on entire route - including Frasco BM and Casco. Water level was low enough on first creek crossing for at least an Xterra, an FJ Cruiser, and a 4Runner. None of them made it past the 2nd crossing. |
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4/21/2012 Route: East Ridge/East Slopes Posted On: 4/21/2012, By: Matt Lemke Info: Was able to drive my 2WD Toyota Camry Wagon all the way to the Jeep road that heads up the valley below Elbert and French (off the N Halfmoon Creek Road. This spot is within a half mile of the higher Mt. Massive TH. 4WD can get all the way there to the Mt. Massive TH. Some snow on this narrow jeep road....we didn‘t use snowshoes though. Climbed directly up the steep E ridge of French. Not much snow on the lower slopes but last weekends storm dumped a few inches above 12,000 feet...drifts were at most 1 foot deep. Very nice day with a little wind but bot unbearable. Oklahoma looked snowier than when I did it 2 weeks ago. |
