Finding a summit to hike in late May 2025- help!

[grumple4]

Hi all,

First time post here! Hoping someone can help me figure out a summit to tackle in late May. Quick background, I am a Minnesota guy who loves the Boundary Waters (originally WI) that did 2 trail crew seasons with CFI and RMYC around various 14ers in Colorado but that was 15 years ago and I am not exactly in the shape I used to be.

Long story short- my wife and I are expecting our first child in mid July (in my 40s already) and I am hoping to take a week off of work in late May (the only time it will work) to have one last mountain climbing trip out west. I have worked on, cherished, and summited peaks such as Harvard, Unc, Massive, Handies, Elbert, etc. However- I have no idea what these peaks are like at this time of year as I have only climbed in the summer.

I am just looking for a good summit that I can do in the shoulder season where I won't be bogged down with snow and the trailhead would be accessible by SUV around Memorial weekend, free camping or sleeping in the truck, right around the TH.

Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated!! Thanks!

[greenschist]

That time of year is pretty tough. There’s usually plenty of snow hanging around the summits and trailheads. The snow is often slushy and difficult to drive and hike through. That’s also one of the only times you have to worry about ticks in Colorado, though to nowhere near the extent that you do back east.

Greenhorn Mountain is usually a safe bet. It’s a very isolated and prominent 12er with a high trailhead that melts out quickly. I hiked it on Memorial day a few years ago and only crossed a couple of snowfields. We saw more bighorn sheep than people that day. On the other hand, Greenhorn is pretty isolated and far from any other trailhead to other high peaks.


Beyond that, look into New Mexico 13ers and 12ers. Less snow overall and higher temperatures could mean they’re good to go by then. In another thread on this recently, someone mentioned that the La Plata mountains near Durango might melt out early this year if the current weather pattern doesn’t change. I’ve never been there but that’s probably worth researching and keeping an eye on. Those two options are quite a bit further from MN though.

[Scott P]

On the 14ers in late May, prepare for snow regardless. Some of the gentler routes can be done without an ice axe and crampons, but many routes do require them.

In the morning often you can walk on top of the snow, but I'd suggest bringing snowshoes (or skis if you can ski) regardless.

Maybe try something like the East Ridge of Elbert.

Otherwise, there are plenty of lower peaks in Colorado where snow won't be a problem The Lost Creek Wilderness, for example, might be mostly melted out by then, but will have a lot of wet areas.

[mtree]

As mentioned, you'll want to bring snowshoes at a minimum. If you don't plan on anything too difficult crampons and ice axe not needed. Spikes? Maybe. Depending on the trailhead approach, most should be accessible by late May. See how the snowpack looks closer to your arrival. Good spring climbs include the usual Front Range, Mosquito, Sawatch Ranges... and Quandary. Further out will depend on late season snow. Most will be a bigger effort than summer conditions so consider that if attempting a longer outing.

[supranihilest]

It's not a 14er but West Spanish Peak from Cordova Pass is typically a dry option that time of year that satisfies most of your criteria.

[cottonmountaineering]

It's not a 14er but West Spanish Peak from Cordova Pass is typically a dry option that time of year that satisfies most of your criteria.

+1, really unique mountain and not too crowded

[SkaredShtles]

Go to New Mexico.

[gbateman25]

I think this really just depends on what you mean by "bogged down by snow". If you don't want to encounter snow at all, then like others have said, you'll be hard pressed to find something. But if you're okay with negotiating some amount, that opens doors! I usually start my peak bagging in May since I'm not much for winter mountaineering. Last year I did Shavano and Tab in May and found them very manageable, but the snow gets slushy by the end of the day. Belford always seems to melt out pretty early in the season and it's a cool area event if it's not the most awe inspiring 14er.

[SnowAlien]

Sangre de Cristos will be likely melted out, hiked Little Bear in a low snow year in early June and it was completely dry (SW ridge)

[nyker]

Just to confirm, are you looking for a hike just for yourself or is your then-7-month pregnant wife joining you as well? If the latter, I would seriously reconsider hiking anything significant. If the former frankly I would just do something easy because your mind is likely going to be only half on it and half on your wife and pending child so...keep it simple.

[Ptglhs]

San Juan or Sangres this year will be melting fast at that point because the snowpack is low. All of these have car camping at or near the start of the hike:
Ouray (southern sawatch) from Marshall pass meets your criteria, assuming the road is open.
Humboldt's East ridge will be mostly snow free though it's a longer hike than you may want.
If you fancy a road walk you could do Hermit/Rito Alto
Silver Heels southern slopes but that's further north so may be holding more snow, especially below treeline. It's a 13 mile hike from the closure until 15 June because it's a moose calving area.
Marble mountain from the rainbow trail
Pennsylvania MTN (such a short hike though, hardly seems worth the trip).

Options in the San Juan I'm less familiar with in shoulder season would be something like Bennett Peak or South River. Get some more input/research on those. The Rio Grande River basin is below 70% of median snowpack right now. I'm 2 months a lot of that could be gone, depending on how wet/dry cold/hot cloudy/clear April is.

[grumple4]

Wow, I have some research to do on these suggestions! Thanks everyone for your thoughts. A few quick replies/thoughts:
- Definitely okay with dealing with some snow, used to dealing with it here in MN (although I did not have to use my snowblower as much this winter). Just did not want to plan a big trip, drive 18+ hours out there and be snowed in and unable to make the hike/drive that was planned! Or have the forest road access TH be super questionable whether it is worth the drive or not.
- This will be a solo trip, the mrs would not do well on a trip that late in the game
- The summit doesn't need to be a 14er, just a good hike with nice views of other mountain peaks.
- Excellent advice to keep it simple! I don't need anything too crazy but am definitely game for a difficult hike, or a few good day hikes.

Question for the group- some mention that some places/peaks/etc are better in "low snow years" out there. Has it been a "low snow year" thus far? I know it still may change but was just curious. Sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere, still discovering this forum and the great folks involved! Thanks again.