Pikes on the Barr Trail
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hunterwf
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Pikes on the Barr Trail
Does anyone have any idea what the trail is like above treeline? I have been to Barr camp and back twice in the past two weeks and I know the trail dry to there.
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Kevin Baker
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
You won't need snowshoes to treeline, but I would recommend them beyond there. Many last weekend got by without them, but it will be tougher going. There is some postholing between the Botttomless Pit trail and treeline, but it is mostly packed down.
Always do what you are afraid to do. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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tenpins
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
intel from one of the Barr Camp caretakers from a week ago:
Just below the a-frame the trail is still buried but tracked to the shelter. From there tracks lead in multiple directions. People have not been able to find the trail as it is completely covered. The snow has been hard enough in the cold mornings to stay on top. We have had warmer nights, and it has softened to the point of post holing knee to hip deep by 10 am. I have not heard of icy or slippery conditions, just deep wet snow. A group did the Y-coulior last weekend, snow was still stable on that side a week ago. Neal ran out Elk Park trail to deep snow on the first north facing hillsides; he was post holing and turned around early after finding a lot of snow out that way. Still a lot of snow not far from Barr Camp!
Just below the a-frame the trail is still buried but tracked to the shelter. From there tracks lead in multiple directions. People have not been able to find the trail as it is completely covered. The snow has been hard enough in the cold mornings to stay on top. We have had warmer nights, and it has softened to the point of post holing knee to hip deep by 10 am. I have not heard of icy or slippery conditions, just deep wet snow. A group did the Y-coulior last weekend, snow was still stable on that side a week ago. Neal ran out Elk Park trail to deep snow on the first north facing hillsides; he was post holing and turned around early after finding a lot of snow out that way. Still a lot of snow not far from Barr Camp!
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hunterwf
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
Thanks for the info. I had some things come up next week so I am pushing my trip up to saturday or sunday. I guess I will just head up and make the call as I go.
Thanks
Thanks
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Cowboyography
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
I am heading up in the morning (Thursday), no snow shoes, I will let you know how far I make it.
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hunterwf
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
cool thanks. I am going sometime this weekend sat, sun , or mon whichever day seems best. Going camping with the wife thursday and friday so those 2 days are out.
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Cody
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
I climbed Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail on Sunday. The trail is free of snow until the treeline after which there are numerous patches. I did it without snowshoes. You may want a trekking pole for balance. You must climb two vertical snowfields right below the summit. I did posthole several times over the course of the day, one time up to my hip near the summit.
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DanHickstein
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Re: Pikes on the Barr Trail
I biked/pushed my bike to 13,500 and then hiked to the summit. The ride back down was great!
There wasn't any snow until about 12,500, but between there and the summit there are about 10 patches of wet snow that you need to wade through or avoid via some boulder hopping. Snowshoes are certainly not necessary and the snow won't slow you down much. Gaiters would have helped keep my feet dry.
There wasn't any snow until about 12,500, but between there and the summit there are about 10 patches of wet snow that you need to wade through or avoid via some boulder hopping. Snowshoes are certainly not necessary and the snow won't slow you down much. Gaiters would have helped keep my feet dry.
