Snowmass in Spring

[JROSKA]

I’ve gone at Snowmass twice in early June and I have to give it a big “thumbs down”.

That log jam can be problematic when Snowmass Creek is running high and the water in that area is deep.

be mindful that if you do go for it there’s a chance that you’ll reach it and not like what you see.

For me, in both cases, neither me or the person I was with could locate anything that even seemed worth trying.

Hey, buddy, try not to be so negative. I just snagged us a reservation for early June! Keep an eye on conditions and maybe the third time can be a charm.

[two lunches]

Jeff i think Matt and i passed you coming down as you were heading up last June- by the time i processed the information my eyes received, you had already turned a switchback. anyway, I really liked the aforementioned suggestion to use snowshoes for the log jam! they provide traction for the slippery logs, and also would allow you to step onto several at once- seems worth considering for your next attempt GOOD LUCK you've got this!

[mtn14]

I was up there twice last spring. The first time (May 11th) snow started about 4 miles from the TH and the river crossing was still frozen. It was still full on winter at the lake. Didn't summit because of bad weather so went back a few weeks later. The second time (June 4th) it was totally dry to the river crossing and water levels were still low so we had no trouble. Snow started a maybe a mile past that.

A bit of a lower snowpack this year but my guess is that you wont have any trouble with the river crossing if you go in May, but will likely be camping on snow at the lake. Definitely bring good flotation or you'll replace scree hell with posthole hell, which is waaaayyyy worse.

Good call! Speaking of snow conditions, are microspikes a good choice up top, or should I expect it to be bulletproof and bring crampons?

[d_baker]

^ bring crampons if you're going during a spring snowpack.

[Pcypher]

^ bring crampons if you're going during a spring snowpack.

+1

[PJ88]

Definitely crampons and axe. Crossing the log jam for me was a piece of cake in the afternoon (albeit in July). Be aware that those logs are icy in the morning on the way back out if you pack out in the morning. We just took it slow and used trekking poles and made it without issue. Snowshoes would have definitely made it easier.

[Ryan987]

Did it mid June last year and had no issue

[madmattd]

^ bring crampons if you're going during a spring snowpack.

+1

1000%

If the snowmass is full, its ~2000' vertical on that snowfield, and it steadily increases in grade. You WANT an overnight freeze to firm up the 'mass for climbing, unless you like postholing that whole way. It's crampon + axe territory in spring. Strap-on crampons are fine. Be prepared for several hours in crampons on some decently steep slopes with whatever footwear you choose (lots of varying opinions on that one...).

With a full snowmass, you can glissade most of the way from the ridge down to the top of the gully (in a few individual runs). Don't wear crampons for glissading!

[JROSKA]

Jeff i think Matt and i passed you coming down as you were heading up last June- by the time i processed the information my eyes received, you had already turned a switchback. anyway, I really liked the aforementioned suggestion to use snowshoes for the log jam! they provide traction for the slippery logs, and also would allow you to step onto several at once- seems worth considering for your next attempt GOOD LUCK you've got this!

Interesting. I don’t remember much about that hike last June other than it was a Sunday afternoon and I was a bit tired. Nice day though. I have a weird feeling that I’ll get Snowmass this time around (early June). I’ll have the snowshoes with me!

[greenonion]

Just wait until summer and climb the S ridge express route. No river crossing to worry about and it's easily a top 5 14er route.

GREAT idea!

Now back to the standard route and regarding the snowshoes at the creek crossing… I cannot imagine doing that in high rushing water conditions I’ve seen there in late June, especially with an overnight backpack on, but that’s just me. There’s probably a time and conditions where snowshoes could work but no way for what I saw. Just a word of caution for others who may think this is an easier or somewhat easier option.

[JROSKA]

Encouraging news for anyone considering a May or June attempt at Snowmass …

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/indepe ... on-record/

[LukeMazza20]

I am planning on doing Snowmass on June 29th this summer. Will that be an okay time to go considering current snowpack/conditions?