Telluride 13ers - La Junta and Oscar

[ECF55]

Sounds good. Have a great trip.

[ECF55]

Just drove into Telluride this afternoon. There’s a LOT more snow on the north facing sides of the Sneffel Range (San Juans) than I saw yesterday in the Front Range, although every major peak in Colorado has snow on top. All the rivers and streams are moving, too.

I will explore the area over the next couple days and report back.

[ECF55]

Have done some Telluride scouting. Happy to share it now.

Still lots of snow on the high peaks and backcountry basins. I am told that the Wasatch and LaJunta basins have tons still up there, but haven’t been able to put eyes on yet.

Bear Creek is fully accessible. The monster avalanche wreckage is worth the hike itself. The snow came screaming down from LaJunta Basin and actually started climbing up the other side of the valley. The crews have done some solid maintenance to clear a path through the debris field, but one of the guys stated that 100 year old spruce were among those leveled. I believe it as there were some big trees felled. A nice snow patch is still sitting just below the falls, elevation 9800ft.

Ophir Valley floor is completely melted out and the Ophir Pass Road recently opened. I am told that the actual pass has 10s ft of snow still up there. The mountainside around Blixt Trail has shed much of its snow, but the trail ledge that zigs up the mountain is completely full of snow. Not sure I’m enthusiastic enough to try it.

Some snow on the ski slopes above See Forever Trail. I will check it out tomorrow.

Whipple and Hann Peaks look pretty dry and Last Dollar Road is open.

Snow is melting fast, but there’s a ton to go. Streams are all very high, which is interesting.

[ECF55]

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Climbed up to the base of Palmyra Peak above the Gold Hill Stairs. 98% dry on the Telluride Ski Roads (See Forever Trail) up to Palmyra.

The Wasatch Basin is still loaded with snow. Just amazing for July. LaJunta Basin probably the same.

LaJunta and Wasatch Peak ridges are largely free of snow, especially on the south facing sides. But there are still some impressive snow banks up there. Might need another month.

[ECF55]

Well, I made the trek to Telluride last summer. I must say, the NW San Juans were really impressive. Steep mountain sides and glorious scenery. Different character than the Sawatch.

The snow kept me out of the high backcountry last July (I’m a total cold weather neophyte), but I was able to scout the area and make do with outer trails. Just great, especially compared to my normal East Coast scenery.

I’m angling to return to the area next August to try to get back at the Telluride 13ers—La Junta, Wasatch and Oscars. I remain convinced that the most efficient way to access those peaks and get down before the afternoon storms is from the Ophir side via the Blixt Trail. Steep but direct. Views to the south on Blixt should make up for the steepness of the trail.

The previous peak info was very helpful. Thank you.

One last question—has anyone done the Wasatch Mountain traverse from the south saddle (Wasatch Trail) to the primary Wasatch peak? From what I can gather, the southern summit is a walkup, the traverse to the middle summit is more exposed with a short Class 3 obstacle, and the final traverse is an exposed ridge. Can anyone fill in any details? Any cautions or important points?

Thanks again!

[geg86]

Hello all. I am planning on traveling to the Telluride area this July. Heavy snow this year, but expect that a substantial portion should be melted by then. (Right?)

I have some significant hiking experience but I am not a rock climber. I'm also an East Coaster with some Sawatch time (Elbert SE Ridge) but no San Juan experience. I would like to complete a solo full day hike, get some real elevation gain, start at dawn and hit at least one 13er. I'm not looking to take any real trail exposure risk and want to keep the hike to Class 2 or easier.

The views from La Junta look really appealing, so I have been exploring a myriad of options to get there without having parking difficulties and without putting in 20 miles. My best idea at the moment is Taxi to Ophir Valley - Blixt Road - Oscars Peak - Bridal Veil Basin/Saddle - La Junta (SW ridge up and down) - Wasatch Trail - Telluride (either Bear Creek Valley or Up and Over the Ski Ridge). Screen shot included below.

I have dredged through the Telluride 13er Trip Reports and Forums. Lots of great top line hiking information.

Debra Van Winegarden also has two beautiful, excellent posts from the area:
http://debravanwinegarden.blogspot.com/ ... -road.html
http://debravanwinegarden.blogspot.com/ ... 13432.html

The consensus from seasoned Colorado hikers appears to be the following:
1. Oscar's peak is a low/no exposure scramble up scree on both its SE and N ridges and can be accomplished with no technical expertise.
2. La Junta SW Ridge is a big, steep talus pile with no signifiant exposure and can be carefully navigated both up and down. (The NW Ridge--which I do not plan to take--appears to be more technical with its three obstacles and the steep cliff to the east.)
3. The rest of the hike is standard steep hiking trail and has low-to-moderate foot traffic.

Can anyone confirm that my descriptions of Oscar and La Junta SW are accurate? Would anyone care to share a few more details from their experience of La Junta SW Ridge, both up and down? How dicey is the slope? Are there any other things I should consider?

Thank you all so much!

Your description of Oscar’s peak is accurate. And I might add is one of my favorite places to visit. It is not technical at all (ran it with with my border collie in basic trail shoes with no issue). If you’re headed up Oscar’s Pass you can also drop down towards Columbine Lake for incredible views which I highly recommend doing while you’re already there (one of the most beautiful alpine lakes I’ve ever seen). Just be aware that the Jeep road/630 (if coming from 550) is very rough and I would personally not attempt it in a rental car unless it’s a Jeep (though my subaru did manage to make it.) Start from Ophir (as your post appears to indicate) if in a rental car or be prepared to walk a few miles.

Have not done the traverse so cannot speak to that, but will note most the rocks in the area are fairly loose so consider that when scrambling.

[ECF55]

Thanks again for the inputs.

I was about ready to commit to a first week of August trip to Colorado, but work just hijacked my scheduled. Third week of July may still be an option (~July 20th).

With the following statements and caveats:
1. That there is no way to predict how much snow this winter will deliver in Feb-April and that the SNOTEL charts put this winter at slightly more than average snow for the San Juans,
2. 2019 was a bananas spring with heavy, late snow and a cool, humid spring that resulted in deep, durable San Juan snowpacks well into August,

Is it reasonable to say that in an average year, the upper Telluride basins are well on their way to melting out by late July? Or is it reasonable to expect snow in this back country consistently well into August?

Thanks!

[ECF55]

Well, it looks like COVID has done another number on my 14er plans this year (I'm an East Coaster with young children, so we aren't really traveling yet). Maybe next year?

In an effort to collect a little more data on the relationship between Colorado SNOTEL charts and San Juan upper basin snowpack, can any kind souls provide any condition assessments of the Telluride upper basins (specifically the north-facing East Fork Bear Creek and Upper Bridal Veil basins around Oscars/Wasatch/LaJunta) and/or the Blixt Trail? Are the upper basins still several weeks out from summer conditions, or has the drought already done a number on the snowpack? Thanks!

[colluvium]

Well, it looks like COVID has done another number on my 14er plans this year (I'm an East Coaster with young children, so we aren't really traveling yet). Maybe next year?

In an effort to collect a little more data on the relationship between Colorado SNOTEL charts and San Juan upper basin snowpack, can any kind souls provide any condition assessments of the Telluride upper basins (specifically the north-facing East Fork Bear Creek and Upper Bridal Veil basins around Oscars/Wasatch/LaJunta) and/or the Blixt Trail? Are the upper basins still several weeks out from summer conditions, or has the drought already done a number on the snowpack? Thanks!

The forecast for the week is not exactly conducive to long treks in the high country, but here's what I could gather of upper La Junta basin from a break in the weather Sunday afternoon
From just below Ballard's horn (pk 13145), La Junta to the left, Wasatch front and center. The road to the La Junta - Wasatch saddle remains snow covered.
Hope this helps!

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[ECF55]

That's perfect. Unsurprisingly, significantly less snow than the blockbuster 2019 season, but still enough to require traction, poles and a slower pace. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of this melts out in 3-4 weeks, I guess, but we're definitely not there yet.

Thanks again, colluvium for your timely and extremely helpful San Juan updates!

[ECF55]

Just a final follow up…thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I was able to get a solid hike in today (between monsoon surges) and summited Oscar and Wasatch peaks. The views on Wasatch were really impressive! Oscar should also have been amazing, but it was unfortunately clouded in.

Thanks again!

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