Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 4/18/2022, By: Eagle Eye
Info: I reached Pikes Peak summit yesterday, starting at the current road closure gate 1.1 miles from the Crags Campground TH. I didn't bring/use snowshoes but did put on micro spikes shortly after setting out. A lot of (especially) the lower & within treeline trail is a hard packed trench through snow & has been well traveled! Often to the point of being thick ice. Some of the steep parts would be pretty difficult without some kind of traction. A split when exiting treeline is better/dryer on the hikers left fork going up. I came down testing out the other fork and wallowed there quite a bit, it probably still wouldn't have helped much to have snowshoes on. The road was only open to Devils Playground yesterday, though drivable for the remainder and I saw the park rangers truck going up or down the road several times. The nice, new cog train brought what seemed like a maximum capacity crowd to the nice, new Visitors Center on the summit. Meanwhile in the GREAT OUTDOORS it stayed very cold and high wind advisory windy, not warming up enough in the afternoon to make the descent much different than the ascent trail conditions. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 4/10/2022, By: Andy_Lyon
Info: We should have brought the ice axes and climbing helmets. The trail above the A-frame is still mostly covered by deep snow but it's pretty solid and, on a day where surface temps stayed around freezing, post-holing was happening but a minor issue. Suspect that will change when spring really arrives above timberline. We tried to follow the trail but it was easy to lose. About half-way across the wide traverse of the face we headed straight up the gully, following some others' tracks. Where the snow was wind-crusted it was tough to kick toe holds. If it was too slick and steep, we traversed into rocks where the snow was generally softer. We took our time and summited a bit before three, having left Barr Camp about 8:40 and stopping for a healthy break at the A-frame.

Because of the slick, hard-pack on the upper gully we decided to try and follow the 16 Golden Stairs down for the descent. The “stairs” are still deep in snow so that was not the best call of the day. Crossing short stretches of wind-swept gullies in that area was where we wanted our axes, in case we slipped and needed to self-arrest. In many places the snow crust is super solid and it was tough to kick steps. There are large rock outcrops and crags everywhere and sliding into one would definitely leave a mark.

Lower down the trail was almost totally dry (as of 4-9) for the first 5.5 miles, then icy and snow-packed in spots to just beyond Barr Camp. Well-packed down from about 6.5 to the A-Frame. That stretch was icy-slush by early afternoon according to some our our group who came down early.

Especially above 13K there was evidence of small slabs breaking off the underlying layer. No evidence of any avalanche but beware if we get significant wet snow on top of the existing base layer. There has been an avalanche death in the gully in recent times, so check conditions before you go. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 4/3/2022, By: pgres
Info: Road is closed 1.1 miles from Crags Trailhead. Snow present for the entirety of the hike, but not very deep. We used snowshoes *almost* all the way to the summit, but not necessary if you don't mind a bit of post-holing from treeline to the road. Saw one other person make it to the summit with crampons. Snow conditions were a combination of powder, breakable crust, and windswept hardpack. Snow was rapidly melting on the way down with slush on the trail below treeline. Some spots had already cleared from when we ascended in the morning to the afternoon. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 3/12/2022, By: Nathan Hoobler
Info: Hiked to Barr Camp Friday and hiked the peak Saturday. Snow packed but easy with spikes to Barr Camp. Fantastic hospitality as usual at Barr. Conditions after the last storm made progress slow above treeline on Saturday. A lot of unconsolidated sugar snow. We didn't take snow shoes, but a hiker in front of us had them and seemed to be making slow progress as well (very grateful for him breaking trail!). We took the train down. It was full so be sure to make reservations!

Time from Trailhead to Barr on Friday: 3.5 hours
Time from Barr to summit on Sunday: 6 hours 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 2/12/2022, By: justiner
Info: Snow on Friday night. Bottom of the trail relatively dry/packed ice from Incline traffic; packed snow after Incline cutoff. You may want snowshoes after Barr Camp and through to the summit. The switchbacks to the summit were dolloped with snow. Take the ridge direct (as an alt.) was a middling mix of snow drifts, easy scrambling, and some dry patches, but seemed to be easier than dealing with the snowed-in trail up high.

Summit House open 11am-2pm :) Cog railway operating! Donuts were not sitting right. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/30/2022, By: cbonk11
Info: Very similar conditions to what was described earlier in the month. There is a solid trench from TH to the summit push. From treeline to Devil's Playground slope it can get a little deep but nothing more than knee height (pic 2 is example of a deep section). If following footsteps/trench there is no need for snowshoes. Even if you got off track, I don't think there is enough snow to warrant using them. Smooth sailing from the slope to summit push. From there, you can rock hop without needing to deal with the snow. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/31/2022, By: Auduni
Info: Needed snowshoes from Barr Camp to the summit. Broke trail from A-frame to summit; there was a lot of snow, sometimes thigh deep with snowshoes on. Below Barr Camp it was icy and microspikes would be a good idea. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/12/2022, By: bshyatt
Info: As previously stated, still no traction or floatation required from TH to summit; above Barr camp and treeline/timberline shelter, some modest snow accumulation may require minor post-holing or trail breaking in spots and will probably slow your pace a bit, but overall very doable. Saw no other hikers beyond Barr camp and uncharacteristically thin crowds up top for a very minimal wind/clear day. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/10/2022, By: cfitzpatrick
Info: Route lacks snow for the most part, and traction and snowshoes are not needed. A little bit of post-holing at the final scramble to the summit but nothing too bad. Only hikers were me and my 2 friends as well as one other hiker. Lots of activity from people driving to the summit as always. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/8/2022, By: rosey33
Info: No traction or flotation needed. Gate closed 1 mile below crags trailhead 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/8/2022, By: chadholderbaum11
Info: No traction needed on my way up. I was able to run all the way to Barr Camp but from Barr to A-Frame, the snow made moving fast a little difficult but still easy to hike at a good clip. From A-Frame for the the first mile, not much snow but then slow going to the top the final two miles. I put micro-spikes on for the descent but took them off not far after Barr Camp. Enjoy! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/7/2022, By: pittbrownie
Info: I picked a good day for my first winter 14er!

Barr Trail is in great shape. Fairly dry up to Barr Camp except for two icy crossings less than a mile below the cabin. Barr Camp to treeline has snow, but it was packed down. Treeline to the summit is surprisingly dry, whatever snow is on the trail doesn't pose much of a problem. Very little ice, and I was able to get around that easily. Had microspikes on me but didn't use them. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/3/2022, By: JacobDaAmateur
Info: Happy new years y'all! Conditions were great. Sunny and a mild amount of wind (10 mph) at most. There was not enough snow for snowshoes or microspikes, but I did experience some post holes in some spots. Overall there was about 4 in of snow. More towards the summit. Great first 14er for this guy! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 12/26/2021, By: soundchaser2112
Info: Only an inch of snow on the mountain, didn't use traction, however the ferocious wind above treeline still made the hike brutal. Also the winter gate is still open at the Crags trailhead 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 12/23/2021, By: olgav100
Info: Well, my "every calendar month of 2021" ended with 12 Pikes Peaks on December 3rd, but the official winter didn't start until December 21st. With that, I threw a number 13:) It was gusty winds to 35 mph above tree line, but other than icy patches and packed snow, we're relatively dry. Didn't even carry spikes, was up that way a mere 3 weeks ago, and no new snow accumulated. 21st Pikes Peak total - nice to have a local bump to train on!