Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2023-05-27, By: Jason Halladay Info: Standard route up Shavano to Tabeguache & back is straight forward intermittent snow and rocks. Traction and snowshoes not needed. Plenty of snow around treeline but kicked in steps/track makes it easy. Go early to minimize postholing. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2022-11-20, By: Adam_swain Info: Tabegauche had a little more snow cover on the trail, but nothing significant. Rock hopping mostly super possible. See previous Shavano post for more details. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2022-09-30, By: frankster Info: Final 3.6 miles of road are clear, rocky and rutted. Our stock 2016 Jeep Wrangler enjoyed the ride. The route description on 14ers.com is spot on. We were the only hikers on this side of the mountain on this splendid Fall day. Bonus. The first few miles of the trail are becoming a bit overgrown but no issues finding the route. Having gotten our boots sloppy wet two years ago, we brought a second pair of socks/shoes, as parts of the first mile can be sloppy. No issues crossing the feeder creeks to Jennings. We trended along the talus (on hiker's right while ascending) and stayed dry. Fall colors were extraordinary. The stand of ancient Bristlecone Pines are the major bonus of this hike. Once on the ridgecrest, there was a light dusting of snow from the night of Sep 27. It was melting fairly quickly by the time of our descent. We were never tempted to break out our microspikes. The summit and east facing walls looked bone dry, but a thin layer of ice could accumulate on the western exposures (?). |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2022-07-28, By: MaryinColorado Info: Nothing notable conditions-wise on 7/27, but judging by cloud cover and frequency of rain observed on 7/28, basin likely received a bunch of rain and could now be a wet, muddy, more-mosquito-y adventure. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2022-07-22, By: Skier88 Info: Be prepared for areas of unstable rock and scree just before and after making the ridge. Thunderstorms move in early but overall doable conditions. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2022-06-20, By: shapovalovm Info: Went Shavano->Tabegauche->Esprit Point For all practical purposes the trail is completely clear of snow: up Shavano I found a patch of snow so small that it has probably melted by now; Tabegauche has some snow on the ridge leading to the summit, but easily avoidable; no snow on Esprit at all. The road is totally doable by a regular 2WD sedan, just go slow to avoid puncturing your tires. Started at 7:45am, finished by 3:15pm. The wind was pretty bad, especially at the saddles, but otherwise a wonderful day. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2022-06-19, By: Amanda Horner Info: A few small snow patches won't be there much longer. No traction needed. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-12-22, By: supranihilest Info: Dry from Shavano to the saddle. Patchy, avoidable snow from the saddle to about 100 feet below Tabeguache's summit, then hard snow or rock hopping to the summit. I wore Gore-Tex trail runners and was happy not to have boots on. Flotation, traction, and ice axe unnecessary. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2021-12-12, By: alsy_88 Info: Access is blocked about 2.6 miles before trailhead, which brings roundtrip to a little over 13. Snow through Jennings Creek was between 6-12", with waist high in several short crossings once out of tree line. Wind was down right brutal and sustained for 70% of the climb (I actually got knocked over several times on the West Ridge). Once out of the valley and on the ridge, very little snow. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-12-04, By: taylorharris50 Info: Near summer conditions in December! No traction. Low wind. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-11-30, By: RWSchaffer Info: The ridge from the summit of Mount Shavano to the saddle was mostly dry (pictures 1, 2, and 3). The ridge from the saddle to the summit of Tabeguache Peak was only slightly less dry (pictures 4, 5, and 6). I carried but did not use traction. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2021-11-15, By: taylorharris50 Info: Road was in good shape on the way up. There are some icy patches but are on flat stretches so easily passable. Mountain Forecast called for 10 MPH winds which was not the case. I estimate 60MPH sustained. On the way down several trees had blown down across the road that had to be cleared. The Jennings Creek TH should be good to go until the next storm. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2021-11-09, By: TheHikingDoctor Info: Summited Tab via West Ridge. Road to TH essentially clear, only a few icy patches. High clearance recommended. TH is easy to miss as there's only a small stake that says "trailhead closed." The hike up to the ridge was snow free and the path is excellent. Once gaining the ridge there were numerous small sections of blown sugary snow that afforded no traction whatsoever. Spikes probably wouldn't help; I didn't bring them. The route over Pt 13936' has the odd cairn but as you approach the top there really aren't any and the talus is surprisingly loose. From there over to Tab is much of the same - loose talus and no distinct trail. The final climb to Tab allows for some fun Class 3 sections if you so choose, otherwise it can easily be kept to Class 2. Prepare for lots of wind as there's no rest from it once you're on the ridge. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-11-06, By: hanada Info: Trail is 95% dry. No tracation needed currently. There was a section right before Tabeguache summit that had ankle deep snow you that you could either go through or try to boulder hop around. Warmer than usual weather for this time of year, except Shavano was very windy today. |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-10-31, By: Gpacardella Info: This route is 98% snow free as of today. Road to Shavano TH is in great shape for just about any vehicle. A few snow patches on the traverse, easily avoidable via rock hopping or hiking the trail for the most part. Didn't need spikes or gaiters. We had strong 25 MPH winds on the saddle below Shavano but other than that, great weather. Didn't see another person all day. Lots of hunters in the valley but didn't see any on the trail |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-10-21, By: HikerHank Info: On Wed, snow had drifted between the rocks. Could not see the trail so had to route find which slowed us down. I had boots and traction(recommended) and but no gaiters. Trekking poles highly recommended and useful. Stepped in some deep spots between rocks. Will be easier until next snow as you may follow our tracks. The guy I hiked with left his boots and micro spikes at home so doable in trail runners but not recommended. Very doable until the next snow and winter sets in! |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-10-06, By: brianr56 Info: Patchy snow from Shavano all the way to Tabeguache summit. Mostly easy to avoid - some areas have been compacted and are slick, but can be bypassed by judicious rock-hopping, or just careful foot placement. No traction needed or used. |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2021-09-27, By: rsuminsby Info: Camped overnight at North Fork CG...rough road, but rewarded by sighting 3 moose near the reservoir. Loads of available firewood due to recent brush clearing. Started at Jennings Creek TH at 0445 and gained the ridge about sunrise. Only encountered 3 other people (in addition to our group of five) all day long. Highly recommend the West Ridge route if you've already done Shavano as a winter climb and ski descent! Very secluded. Route finding can be a bit tricky at times, and the final scramble to the summit I'd call Class 2.5 (my spouse elected to wait for the rest of us just short of the summit). Gorgeous Fall day in the Rockies! |
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Route: West Ridge Posted On: 2021-09-27, By: rsuminsby Info: Camped overnight at North Fork CG...rough road, but rewarded by sighting 3 moose near the reservoir. Loads of available firewood due to recent brush clearing. Started at Jennings Creek TH at 0445 and gained the ridge about sunrise. Only encountered 3 other people (in addition to our group of five) all day long. Highly recommend the West Ridge route if you've already done Shavano as a winter climb and ski descent! Very secluded. Route finding can be a bit tricky at times, and the final scramble to the summit I'd call Class 2.5 (my spouse elected to wait for the rest of us just short of the summit). Gorgeous Fall day in the Rockies! |
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Route: Via Mt. Shavano Posted On: 2021-09-21, By: matt9094 Info: The wind was relentless and incredibly strong. The wind made it hard to walk and it was exhausting. It took much longer than planned to hike it since I would either lay on the ground next to a rock or hide behind any type of wind break just to get a moment of peace. If you do both peaks in wind like I experienced, definitely plan on a long hike. If it is normally windy like it was for me, I do not recommend this hike. |