Pikes Peak, Princeton, Yale, Elbert, Torreys/Grays Early june

[alisonlauren23]

We are attempting to summit Pikes, Princeton, Yale, Elbert and Torreys/Grays June 8-14th. Is there going to still be a ton of snow? Will I need anything other than poles?

[dwoodward13]

Hard to know, things are melting fast but only time will tell how the rest of spring goes. For example Pikes Peak was projected to get 50" of snow the last two days, although not sure what it ended up with. I would plan to bring microspikes and poles. Continue to check conditions reports as your trip approaches for how melt out is going. Additionally, watch trailhead reports for Grays/Torreys. Thats usually right around the time it melts out to the summer TH, especially depending on your vehicle if there are remaining drifts. If it hasn't, you may be parking at I70 and walking up (the county has aggressively enforced no parking on the road in the past couple years).

[nyker]

I would plan on having to be on 'some' snow, especially on G/T since they are situated more to the north; but hard to say if that means a single snowfield to cross with an existing nice boot track or the entire upper half of the mountain. Anything could happen over the next month.

Look over past trip reports during that same week to get a feel of how past years have been over the same period.

[GaryBroome6]

As stated, can’t really know this early. Poles *shoukd* be enough if you know how to self-arrest. Attaching 2 pics from when I did Princeton on June 18th a couple years back. Those snow slopes can give pretty easily that time of year. Not here to question you but as someone who created an account today, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. That’s a pretty ambitious week. Particularly if you’re coming from sea level…

[rijaca]

Poles *shoukd* be enough if you know how to self-arrest.... Those snow slopes can give pretty easily that time of year...

Poles shouldn't be used to self-arrest.

[GaryBroome6]

Poles *shoukd* be enough if you know how to self-arrest.... Those snow slopes can give pretty easily that time of year...

Poles shouldn't be used to self-arrest.

Maybe they can use the ice axe they aren't bringing? lol

[mtree]

I wouldn't worry about snow. Sure. There will be some and maybe alot. But it should be soft and passable even without poles. I've traversed dozens of snow fields in June with no issue... except on Massive. That wasn't smart.

I'd worry about ice. If you get a frigid night/morning the "snow" might turn into a glacier. That's where spikes and/or an ice axe may be advisable. If you bring an axe know how to use it. Otherwise its just cool looking bling. Check reports closer to your date. Even more important will be weather forecasts a couple days before June 8.

In the rare chance of a major snowstorm, all bets are off.