Barr vs Crags in the winter?

[Ryan987]

Hiya all. I'm looking to finally doing pikes this winter. In your opinion, which trail would be better in the winter? If opting for Barr, I would be splitting it into two days by staying at camp. The mileage, vert, and the cold/snow doesn't bother me but I'm torn on which trail is "better". So please let me know!

[colorado yooper]

If you like exposure to wind and not seeing the sun in the morning do Crags aka NW Slopes. From winter parking it's about 17 miles RT. Barr, with a night at Barre Camp may be less strenuous feeling. Both are long events and you may not have the benefit of an open summit house. Either way is cool.

[colorado yooper]

Just realized I didn't answer your question. IMHO Crags is fun in the winter.

[susanjoypaul]

You're going to get different opinions on this because people look for different things in hikes and peaks. I've done Pikes Peak nine times from four different routes - including one time in January - and given the choice between the Crags and Barr Trail, I'll take the Crags every time. The views are outstanding. Barr Trail is just... Boring. Like I said, though - my opinion.

[climbingcue]

Crags was my 14er finisher in winter of 2020. I would recommend this route in winter. Have fun...

[Cygnus X1]

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/peakstat ... cnum=31122

[jrs1965]

lol, 23 & 8... The only redeeming quality of Crags Route is that it's a better winter route with much less snow. Sometimes the summit road doesn't open at all in the winter, or it opens later in the morning and the road makes for a faster ascent as long as you don't get caught. The cog tracks were nice during the track refurbishment but a bit spicier now that the cog train is running. Barr Camp is a unique experience that you'll not find anywhere else in Colorado. However, Barr Trail can be brutal in the winter. Usually the East Gully on Barr Trail is best option to gain the summit ridge, but the gully is steep. The Sixteen Steps below the summit on Barr Trail turn into a corniced cliff in winter. It's still way too early in the year for the north face routes...

[CaptainSuburbia]

Crags for sure. A lot of easy miles so not as long as it looks. Also, there's the option to grab 2 quick unranked 13ers along the way... Devils Playground Peak and Little Pikes Peak.

[d_baker]

Hiya all. I'm looking to finally doing pikes this winter. In your opinion, which trail would be better in the winter? If opting for Barr, I would be splitting it into two days by staying at camp. The mileage, vert, and the cold/snow doesn't bother me but I'm torn on which trail is "better". So please let me know!

Barr trail would be tracked to camp for sure so long as there hasn't been a recent storm.
Staying at camp can be a fun experience, and a push from there is reasonable.
I personally like the Barr trail route more than Crags.
I've done both routes in winter, even up/down in a day on Barr.
Either is fine, just depends what type of experience you want.

[madmattd]

Less parking shenanigans for Crags, plus it's shorter. That said, I was the only one on the Crags route when I did it a couple winters ago, but there were a half-dozen or so trail-runner types at the summit that were round-tripping Barr that day.

[Ryan987]

Wow honestly didn't expect to receive so many differing responses on here. Thank you all, greatly appreciate your comments! Crags it is

[Ptglhs]

It depends on your opinion of good views. Going from the east you get to see more and more of the city from higher up. Some people like the changing perspective. From the West it's forest and then other peaks. I didn't think the West's views were all that special. The other peaks are much further away so it's not like the sawatch or San Juan's where you can see the alpine and rock glaciers and other basins.

If you're doing it as a 2 day then I'd recommend Barr. You can stay at the camp or at the A frame. Barr has a lot more amenities. It's nice to get a hot meal on a winter backpack.