Just wanted to know the latest conditions (including trailhead access) are for the 14ers in the Lake City, Colorado area, namely: Handies, Redcloud, Sunshine, Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn.
Was hoping to take a group up Redcloud-Sunshine on the weekend of June 19th.
Thanks.
Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
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munisano
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Spoke537
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Re: Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
munisano,
I did Handies, Redcloud and Sunshine from the Grizzly Gulch/Silver Creek trailhead on Saturday. The road to the trailhead was dry and easy to navigate in my minivan. The route up Handies was straightforward. It was a bit wet from snow melt leading to the ridge but nothing too bad. There was a considerable snow field up to the North Ridge and the saddle before the final push to the summit. I post holed through the waist high snow and managed to get up on the North Ridge with some effort. It was very wet and melting fast so I'd bet you'll have a much easier time by June 19th. It was a fun glissade coming down though!
After a quick bite to eat back at the trail head, I headed for Redcloud via the Standard Silver Creek trail to the Northeast ridge. There were only a couple small snow fields to cross. I could either easily scramble around or walk across the firm snow. The climb was straight forward after that. Then the traverse across the saddle to Sunshine was completely dry and clear. I opted to drop down Sunshine's West Ridge through the scree. There is no defined trail through the scree, just get down the best way you can then follow the South Fork Stream back to the Silver Creek Trail. You'll want to stay to the East of the South Fork Stream (right side as you descend).
You’ll have a great time out there for sure!
spoke537
I did Handies, Redcloud and Sunshine from the Grizzly Gulch/Silver Creek trailhead on Saturday. The road to the trailhead was dry and easy to navigate in my minivan. The route up Handies was straightforward. It was a bit wet from snow melt leading to the ridge but nothing too bad. There was a considerable snow field up to the North Ridge and the saddle before the final push to the summit. I post holed through the waist high snow and managed to get up on the North Ridge with some effort. It was very wet and melting fast so I'd bet you'll have a much easier time by June 19th. It was a fun glissade coming down though!
After a quick bite to eat back at the trail head, I headed for Redcloud via the Standard Silver Creek trail to the Northeast ridge. There were only a couple small snow fields to cross. I could either easily scramble around or walk across the firm snow. The climb was straight forward after that. Then the traverse across the saddle to Sunshine was completely dry and clear. I opted to drop down Sunshine's West Ridge through the scree. There is no defined trail through the scree, just get down the best way you can then follow the South Fork Stream back to the Silver Creek Trail. You'll want to stay to the East of the South Fork Stream (right side as you descend).
You’ll have a great time out there for sure!
spoke537
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to ones courage." - Anais Nin
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PKelley
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Re: Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
It will be all clear to all trailheads by the 19th without question. There is not much snow now, and it is melting very quickly. I believe that all trailheads are open, and know for sure that SC/GG is open and dry. Cinnamon Pass is open, and Engineer Pass is supposed to open this weekend.
The Dalai Lama when asked what surprised him most about humanity:
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
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PKelley
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Re: Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
I hiked 13,540 and 13,427 today, and I took photos of all 5 of the Lake City 14ers so that everyone will know what the snow conditions are as of 6/8/10. Here are the photos:
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The Dalai Lama when asked what surprised him most about humanity:
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
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PKelley
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Re: Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
Here is Handies and American Basin:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The Dalai Lama when asked what surprised him most about humanity:
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
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mattpayne11
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Re: Lake City Area - 14er Conditions
Wow you have the exact same smudge in the exact same spot I do on your photos. What camera do you use? I think mine needs cleaned (the sensor).
