What Front Range 13ers Melt Out Fastest?

[Aug_Dog]

I'm starting to get antsy. I want to get out and hike/climb. I'm not quite done skiing, but I am ready to hike. I secretly want the snow to melt everywhere except Loveland so I can both hike and ski.

That said and this might make for an interesting discussion, but what Front Range 13ers melt out the fastest? Parnassus' standard route above treeline is almost always doable year-round because of its aspect, but the basin up to treeline will most certainly be deep with snow right now.

Any ideas?

EDIT: oh and I am not really a winter hiker/climber ... yet.

[Carl]

I want to get out and hike/climb. I'm not quite done skiing, but I am ready to hike. I secretly want the snow to melt everywhere except Loveland so I can both hike and ski.

You want to hike/climb stuff and want to ski? If only there was some way of combining both of these things......

[TaylorHolt]

Obviously the south facing routes will melt out fastest. Parnassus and Bard would be a good spring choice. I also did Chiefs Head's south slopes route last May and it was relatively snow-free (~15 minutes of hiking through snow near treeline). I haven't done it yet, but Silverheels south ridge would probably melt out quickly as well.



Chiefs Head TR (pic 7 shows the south slope): http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepor ... m=tripuser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Aug_Dog]

I want to get out and hike/climb. I'm not quite done skiing, but I am ready to hike. I secretly want the snow to melt everywhere except Loveland so I can both hike and ski.

You want to hike/climb stuff and want to ski? If only there was some way of combining both of these things......

yeah yeah yeah ...

i just don't feel that i'm educated enough yet to climb to ski ... i'm gonna start by taking some avy classes soon though ...

[TravelingMatt]

You want to choose routes that have a minimum of cover below treeline. Even better, something that's plowed or used by snowmobiles and is thus packed down. Above treeline you want smooth, gentle terrain.

There's always the Cupid/Sniktau/Grizzly D group. Otherwise the most obvious candidate is Flora from Berthoud Pass.

[Jay521]

If you expand your scope to include 11ers and 12ers, there are some GREAT climbs in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area that tend to melt out early. Check out any trip report by user Derek.

[Aug_Dog]

pretty much already had those on the list ... any 13ers in the Sawatch that would melt out quick?

[TravelingMatt]

You can drive pretty high up (stock 4wd) to bag Taylor and Aetna, and it's a southern exposure.

Ouray as soon as Marshall Pass opens might be worth trying.

Everything else I can think of would require Highway 82 to be completely open.

Bull Hill from Black Cloud comes to mind, although it sort of follows a gully which will probably hold a lot of snow. And if box-checking isn't a priority you might as well just do Elbert.

You didn't ask about the Tensquito, but Hoosier Ridge is mostly open and gentle, with some willow bashing at the beginning. Actually a lot of Tensquito peaks might work, depending on road access.

[Aug_Dog]

You can drive pretty high up (stock 4wd) to bag Taylor and Aetna, and it's a southern exposure.

Ouray as soon as Marshall Pass opens might be worth trying.

Everything else I can think of would require Highway 82 to be completely open.

Bull Hill from Black Cloud comes to mind, although it sort of follows a gully which will probably hold a lot of snow. And if box-checking isn't a priority you might as well just do Elbert.

You didn't ask about the Tensquito, but Hoosier Ridge is mostly open and gentle, with some willow bashing at the beginning. Actually a lot of Tensquito peaks might work, depending on road access.

great thanks for the help ... yes, the tensquito ... go on sir!

i'm kind of a box checker but not really ... i just like variation and different scenery ...

[ChrisRoberts]

Mummy Mountain, SE slopes