Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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nmjameswilson wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:23 am
I am considering doing both Snowmass and Capitol in a day in August so very interested in the comments. Now if done from Pierre lakes BOTH can be done in a day.
I've done them as a loop from the Snowmass creek th up via moon lake then down the main Snowmass trail. Nice long day out, made easier if you trail run. The routes on Snowmass are interesting, not too hard (class 3-4) but def interesting.
thebeave7 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:34 pm
I've done a lot of long routes of 14ers in a day, 100% it's the Chicago Basin group from purgatory. At 42mi and 13k vert it's a long hard day even if you're running, throw in a little scramble half way for funsies. Next for me would be Little Bear-Blanca from the bottom of the jeep road with no 4wd, just cause I really hate that jeep road.
I've done Capitol 7 times,(I think) 2 camping in the valley, the other 5 as a whole day. I did camp at the lake once, but didn't summit that trip. It is a super long day, but once ur off k2 you can be a walking dead zombie all the way back. By far the "longest" route I've ever done was Ellingwood ridge on La Plata. The virtual Shera said when he was climbing it the ridge was a "engeriser bunny, it just keeps going and going." That about sums it up.
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nmjameswilson wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:23 am
I am considering doing both Snowmass and Capitol in a day in August so very interested in the comments. Now if done from Pierre lakes BOTH can be done in a day.
I tried this last September via the Moon Lake approach to Capitol and then across Pierre Lakes basin to Snowmass. Ended up about 1000ft short of Snowmass before heading down to Snowmass Lake to sleep. Never been so exhausted from a 14er hike. A super tough day for sure!
Thanks for the trip report ... that really helps to see more photos. Pretty awesome to attempt that in one day!
Do you think you can walk the hard rock to the sides of Heckert Pass?
I am thinking about doing one a day from Pierre Lakes Basin myself. I think that will help not getting too tired and still saves a day over the standards.
nickcreek72 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 11:04 am
I tried this last September via the Moon Lake approach to Capitol and then across Pierre Lakes basin to Snowmass. Ended up about 1000ft short of Snowmass before heading down to Snowmass Lake to sleep. Never been so exhausted from a 14er hike. A super tough day for sure!
Thanks for the trip report ... that really helps to see more photos. Pretty awesome to attempt that in one day!
Do you think you can walk the hard rock to the sides of Heckert Pass?
I am thinking about doing one a day from Pierre Lakes Basin myself. I think that will help not getting too tired and still saves a day over the standards.
thebeave7 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:35 pm
I've done them as a loop from the Snowmass creek th up via moon lake then down the main Snowmass trail. Nice long day out, made easier if you trail run. The routes on Snowmass are interesting, not too hard (class 3-4) but def interesting.
thebeave7 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:35 pm
I've done them as a loop from the Snowmass creek th up via moon lake then down the main Snowmass trail. Nice long day out, made easier if you trail run. The routes on Snowmass are interesting, not too hard (class 3-4) but def interesting.
Eric
Thanks for confirming Class 3/4.
Note I didn't say you couldn't find 5th class rock, cause it's definitely out there if your navigation is off. I've done both Heckert Pass and crossing the low point of Satan's Ridge to the West side of Snowmass. Crossing the ridge to West Snowmass is definitely faster and shorter, but there are miles of heinous talus and a sporting 4th class choss climb. Heckert is much longer, but technically easier.
thebeave7 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 1:16 pm
Note I didn't say you couldn't find 5th class rock, cause it's definitely out there if your navigation is off. I've done both Heckert Pass and crossing the low point of Satan's Ridge to the West side of Snowmass. Crossing the ridge to West Snowmass is definitely faster and shorter, but there are miles of heinous talus and a sporting 4th class choss climb. Heckert is much longer, but technically easier.
Oh I understand for sure I can find class 5 if I get off route but it is good to know it can be avoided and you don't HAVE to go a 5 route. Thanks for the links those are helpful.
Seconding the calls for any of the Chicago Basin peaks in a day. Climbing up toward Twin Lakes is brutal when all you can think about is the 20 miles you still have to go to get down.