Condition Update | Little Bear Peak

Peak:	Little Bear Peak
Route:	SW Ridge
Range:	Sangre de Cristo
Posted By:	the_hare
Date of Info:	3/19/2026
Date Posted:	3/20/2026

Condition Update
Had the same thought as Chipmunk, in a word, summer conditions. Wanted to add a few comments on the bushwhack approach up to the ridge. I followed the general instructions from Wentzl's report & downloaded the GPX file from user dbolton's report and didn't have much trouble. The starting old road branched off Lake Como Rd at 8900ft, then transitioned to a game/old stock trail abt 0.4mi in, then followed a series of drainages/ game trails/ old cowboy trails/ ATV roads up to the Tobin Creek drainage. Surprisingly this was easier to follow on the way back at night than during the day. I found a hoof-trodden ramp down into the steep Tobin drainage & made my way to the waterfall to cross. The vegetation to get to the falls wasn't bad, but the exit was a little brushy and involved a class-3 gully with many loose rocks. On the long talus hill up to 12900ft, if you look closely there's a winding on & off trail of sorts made of small ruddy crushed rock that was easier to move on, wonder if it's an artifact made by prospectors on the ridge or CMC back in the day. I didn't face any wind around noon on this section but in the evening they were ripping across north to south. I guess temp variations in the valleys during the mornings & evenings create these sustained winds. The steep start of the ridge just after the Tobin drainage on the descent was the worst part of the route for me. The ground is loose with plenty of sliding rocks and cactus patches to fall into. I had hyped this route up in my head a lot but found it to be pretty enjoyable. The bushwhack had a lot of unique vegetation & smells & it was cool to use historic trails. The class-3 wasn't bad or exposure super sustained on both sides at least, but ofc I had prime conditions. Really nice to meet many fellow forum members as well, great work all!

Condition Update

Had the same thought as Chipmunk, in a word, summer conditions.

Wanted to add a few comments on the bushwhack approach up to the ridge. I followed the general instructions from Wentzl's report & downloaded the GPX file from user dbolton's report and didn't have much trouble. The starting old road branched off Lake Como Rd at 8900ft, then transitioned to a game/old stock trail abt 0.4mi in, then followed a series of drainages/ game trails/ old cowboy trails/ ATV roads up to the Tobin Creek drainage. Surprisingly this was easier to follow on the way back at night than during the day.

I found a hoof-trodden ramp down into the steep Tobin drainage & made my way to the waterfall to cross. The vegetation to get to the falls wasn't bad, but the exit was a little brushy and involved a class-3 gully with many loose rocks.

On the long talus hill up to 12900ft, if you look closely there's a winding on & off trail of sorts made of small ruddy crushed rock that was easier to move on, wonder if it's an artifact made by prospectors on the ridge or CMC back in the day. I didn't face any wind around noon on this section but in the evening they were ripping across north to south. I guess temp variations in the valleys during the mornings & evenings create these sustained winds.

The steep start of the ridge just after the Tobin drainage on the descent was the worst part of the route for me. The ground is loose with plenty of sliding rocks and cactus patches to fall into.

I had hyped this route up in my head a lot but found it to be pretty enjoyable. The bushwhack had a lot of unique vegetation & smells & it was cool to use historic trails. The class-3 wasn't bad or exposure super sustained on both sides at least, but ofc I had prime conditions. Really nice to meet many fellow forum members as well, great work all!