Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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bpolley3 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 9:58 pm
I was planning on visiting the great sand dunes national park and camping at Zapata falls campground. I saw this was a cool looking hike/climb in the area and started looking into it. So is the only way to climb these in the winter starting on the lake Como road? I will look into those as well. Thank you
No, that is not the only way. But either way is usually pretty time intensive for a day trip -- Lake Como even more so. Many people also camp at South Zapata Lake rather than starting out at the Zapata Falls campground for the route you're interested in. This problem is multiplied by the lack of daylight in mid December.
I would be really careful in planning this climb. Going solo, in Winter, on an unfamiliar route while visiting the area can prove risky.
Last edited by justiner on Mon Oct 21, 2024 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This is a big bite for a December climb with no experience. Could be mighty cold and windy on the ridge. And snowy. There is some serious exposure near the summits. If its icy one misstep could result in quite a ride.
And if you're solo, no-one can hear you scream.
- I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was blaming you.
interloper wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 10:35 am
OP, based on your stated experience level, I would highly recommend gaining some experience with other, safer winter 14er ascents before you attempt Blanca or Ellingwood. They're not technical peaks, but they are far more difficult and dangerous in the winter than in the summer when they're dry. The final ascents up to both peaks can be incredibly icy and the exposure near both summits is considerable, especially on the traverse between the two. Depending on conditions, it could be very difficult to stick to the standard route. If you don't know what you're doing or get off route or take a bad step, it's very easy for something to go very wrong very quickly.
I say this to you as a member of Alamosa's SAR team - the team that responds to injured/missing hikers on the Mount Blanca massif. We don't want you to get hurt or killed. If you'd like recommendations about other, safer hikes in the area I would be happy to share some ideas with you.
Yea that would be great, I don’t want to be rescued and scolded if still alive lol or risk the team’s lives. What other hikes can I do in the area that’ll leave me exhausted at the end of the day? That’s what I like haha
bpolley3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 12:20 pm
Yea that would be great, I don’t want to be rescued and scolded if still alive lol or risk the team’s lives. What other hikes can I do in the area that’ll leave me exhausted at the end of the day? That’s what I like haha
Cool! I'll PM you.
"May the good lord shine a light on you, warm like the evening sun." - Jagger-Richards, 1972
bpolley3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2024 12:20 pm
Yea that would be great, I don’t want to be rescued and scolded if still alive lol or risk the team’s lives. What other hikes can I do in the area that’ll leave me exhausted at the end of the day? That’s what I like haha
Cool! I'll PM you.
A happy ending
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
While the forum is thinking about this area, I’m planning to hike either California or Twin Peaks from Zapata this weekend if anyone has any recent beta. Not wearing trail runners for the concerned.
Is that the person's North Face tent? I have that exact tent and it's a 3 season tent. I would never think to use it higher in the mountains in November. But I guess it would be ok with a great sleeping bag/system...
Tim A wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 2:05 pm
While the forum is thinking about this area, I’m planning to hike either California or Twin Peaks from Zapata this weekend if anyone has any recent beta. Not wearing trail runners for the concerned.
Not sure about the West side of the Sangres, but I was on the East side last week. Expect deep snow below treeline and potentially windblown ridges above. Bring snowshoes. Check the recent condition reports for Colony Baldy, South Colony Lakes, and Marble Mountain to get an idea of what you might see.
If I were you I'd look into the North Ridge of Twin Peaks. It means leaving the trail pretty early, but it avoids climbing a very steep slope in snow. I've climbed Twin Peaks from the lake and I wouldn't want to do it in deep snow. There are good trip reports from WildWanderer and CaptainSuburbia on the North Ridge. I've only done California Peak from the East so I'm not sure of the safest route from Zapata Falls.
Good luck and have fun. The view of the Blanca group from Twin Peaks is one of my favorite views in Colorado.
Tim A wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 2:05 pm
While the forum is thinking about this area, I’m planning to hike either California or Twin Peaks from Zapata this weekend if anyone has any recent beta. Not wearing trail runners for the concerned.
Not sure about the West side of the Sangres, but I was on the East side last week. Expect deep snow below treeline and potentially windblown ridges above. Bring snowshoes. Check the recent condition reports for Colony Baldy, South Colony Lakes, and Marble Mountain to get an idea of what you might see.
If I were you I'd look into the North Ridge of Twin Peaks. It means leaving the trail pretty early, but it avoids climbing a very steep slope in snow. I've climbed Twin Peaks from the lake and I wouldn't want to do it in deep snow. There are good trip reports from WildWanderer and CaptainSuburbia on the North Ridge. I've only done California Peak from the East so I'm not sure of the safest route from Zapata Falls.
Good luck and have fun. The view of the Blanca group from Twin Peaks is one of my favorite views in Colorado.
I’ve been watching the snow stack up down there on opensnow and through those CRs the last two weeks. Such a pleasure to see the usually neglected Sangres get so much early attention from winter.
