Condition Update | Huron Peak

Peak:	Huron Peak
Route:	Northwest Slopes
Range:	Sawatch
Posted By:	the_hare
Date of Info:	1/4/2026
Date Posted:	1/5/2026

Condition Update
Not much to add to previous condition report besides a few more pics. Road near summer conditions with a thin glaze of packed/melted snow closer to Winfield. Took advantage of a decent pull-off area 30 yards or so past the 2WD trailhead at Winfield but not worth driving up much further than that. Last storm seemed to have put down 1-2in of fresh, warming quickly. Well-established boottrack down the 4WD road, up the switchbacks in the forest, and on above treeline to the wind-drifted shallow basin at 12,300ft. This deep snow plain is the main obstacle of the route as the crust is only randomly supportive and the wind will cover tracks over the span of even a few hours. We followed two different sets of posthole tracks from earlier hikers across the basin and neither was better or worse--I'd just aim straight for the apparent dry grassy headwall on the other side. Tall gaiters very useful, I don't think snowshoes would be worth hauling up bc of unsupportive snow regardless. After this there's another well-established boottrack following the summer trail up to the summit. There's a couple more early posthole sections but mostly the trail has shallow wind-drifted snow with dry stretches. More options to ascend off-trail on snowy grass slopes & rocks too. My heftier Hillsound trail crampon microspikes were helpful for dealing with the more slippery snow and steeper areas. Wind didn't seem too bad up here given the forecast. Shout out to previous parties over the weeks who set in the boot track. Saw some recent tracks from after the last storm going up towards Lulu as well, upper ridge through the 13ers looked pretty windblown. Have to say this is I think the most beautiful winter 14er I've done, exquisite snowy basin views all around with a pleasant lush forest on approach. Hands got cold taking so many pictures!

Condition Update

Not much to add to previous condition report besides a few more pics. Road near summer conditions with a thin glaze of packed/melted snow closer to Winfield. Took advantage of a decent pull-off area 30 yards or so past the 2WD trailhead at Winfield but not worth driving up much further than that.

Last storm seemed to have put down 1-2in of fresh, warming quickly. Well-established boottrack down the 4WD road, up the switchbacks in the forest, and on above treeline to the wind-drifted shallow basin at 12,300ft. This deep snow plain is the main obstacle of the route as the crust is only randomly supportive and the wind will cover tracks over the span of even a few hours. We followed two different sets of posthole tracks from earlier hikers across the basin and neither was better or worse--I'd just aim straight for the apparent dry grassy headwall on the other side. Tall gaiters very useful, I don't think snowshoes would be worth hauling up bc of unsupportive snow regardless.

After this there's another well-established boottrack following the summer trail up to the summit. There's a couple more early posthole sections but mostly the trail has shallow wind-drifted snow with dry stretches. More options to ascend off-trail on snowy grass slopes & rocks too. My heftier Hillsound trail crampon microspikes were helpful for dealing with the more slippery snow and steeper areas. Wind didn't seem too bad up here given the forecast.

Shout out to previous parties over the weeks who set in the boot track. Saw some recent tracks from after the last storm going up towards Lulu as well, upper ridge through the 13ers looked pretty windblown. Have to say this is I think the most beautiful winter 14er I've done, exquisite snowy basin views all around with a pleasant lush forest on approach. Hands got cold taking so many pictures!

Comments or Questions
Not registered?

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App