Angel of Shavano TH

[Artvandalay]

Has anyone been to Angel of Shavano TH recently? I'm planning on doing Shavano Wednesday 5/4 (all are invited) and wanted to get any feedback on this route that any might have. I assume the TH is accessible but I really would be interested in knowing as much about snow conditions as possible going up (depth, consistancy etc.) I'll be flying solo so if anyone wants to go get lost in the forest with me it would be awesome. Planning on hitting the TH at 5:30 am driving from CO Springs.

Brady

[RestUp]

I drove up to the trailhead last week and it was all clear except a little wet and few inches of new snow, but all very passable. The last days the northern Sangres and Collegiates have been getting pounded with snow. I live in Salida and look at these mountains every day. I dont think driving in will be any problem for you. Going up could be some extra work if there aren't tracks to follow, but it is all sun for the next few days, so I think you will be fine going up...

[DaveSwink]

The good news is that the trailhead was easily accessible by four-wheel drive (even low clearance like my Forester) today, and it should by fine for two wheel drive by Wednesday since the new snow was melting out fast.

You will want (need) snowshoes for the approach to the Angel, and I highly recommend a GPS with the route to the base since the trail is hidden in new snow.

Now, the bad news; there is 8 - 12" of fresh powder sitting on top of a very firm base at the Angel. The Angel would be a complete wallow-fest right now rather than a fine snow climb. Our crude pit test showed almost no adhesion between the new snow and the hard base. The Angel of Shavano does not have a reputation for avalanche hazard but it had all of the wrong signs today. We backed off to the treeline and climbed the ridge to the East Slopes route but it had even more fresh powder on it (18 - 24") so we called it a day at 12K and bailed for burgers and beer in Salida.

It was a blue bird day with no wind and the views were incredible, but ya, we were disappointed that the Angel was not in condition. I would expect at least 10 days of freeze/thaw cycles to get the new snow ready.

[Corndiggs]

Dswink,

Are you talking about the Blanks Cabin TH or the Angel of Shavano TH?

[DaveSwink]

Sorry, the Blanks Cabin TH.

[SnowAlien]

What about the snow drift blocking the road (252, i believe?). Did you get past the drift?

[SnowAlien]

Last trip report called it "impassable" unless in a Tacoma truck. With new snow it could have gotten a bit worse. Thinking Jason's truck might make it through. It is about 3 miles away from the summer TH start.
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[DaveSwink]

So, just to clarify, my comments are about the approach to the Blanks Cabin trailhead, not the Angel of Shavano trailhead although I don't know why someone would use the Angel of Shavano trailhead even to climb the Angel.

The big drift on 252 is easily passable as of Monday, May 2, even after the new snow.

[SurfNTurf]

I wrote that TR, and I had someone PM me about a week later saying it was now possible to drive over the drift.

[Carl]

So, just to clarify, my comments are about the approach to the Blanks Cabin trailhead, not the Angel of Shavano trailhead although I don't know why someone would use the Angel of Shavano trailhead even to climb the Angel.

The big drift on 252 is easily passable as of Monday, May 2, even after the new snow.

Agreed on the road access. I just updated the TH status page. There was a BMW sedan and an Audi sedan at the TH on Saturday.

As for the Angel of Shavano TH, it's oddly named, but I have climbed the Angel from that TH when the closer TH is not yet accessible.

[SnowAlien]

Great! Thanks for the info guys. A month ago this road was impassable for my Forrester

[tmathews]

how do i get a picture to show up under my name?

Go here: http://14ers.com/forum/ucp.php?i=profile&mode=avatar