Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 5/12/2020, By: MileHighTexan
Info: As others have reported the gate to Crags Campground is still closed so you have to park on the road and hike the extra 1 mi. each way. We arrived around 8 AM and were lucky to get one of the last spots along the road past the Mennonite Camp.

Minimal amount of snow/ ice on the trail. We brought microspikes but never needed to use them but trekking poles were helpful in a few spots.

Fun and challenging hike. Took us about 8 hrs overall with stops along the way and at the summit for lunch. Only saw about 12 other hikers all day.

Lots of construction at the summit. We were told by the park ranger that in a few weeks they are starting construction on a pedestrian view deck that will close summit access from the Barr Trail for at least a year.

Storm started to build around 1 PM but never really materialized beyond a few snow flakes. . . it was pretty cool with the sun shining and a some flakes falling.

Fun hike but make sure you start early and bring plenty of aqua. Round trip ~16 miles and 4,500' vert. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 5/7/2020, By: CJHubbard
Info: The gate is closed 1 mile from the trailhead but trail conditions are great. I'd say over 75% of the trail was bare ground. Absolutely no need for traction/snowshoes. The patches of snow that still remained were short and could easily be avoided. Windy and chilly today but a nice day out. Lots of construction happening on the summit. 16 miles round trip due to the gate being closed. Started at 0545 finished at 1230. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 5/4/2020, By: Been_Jammin
Info: Northwest Slopes are in borderline summer condition. Micro spikes are still worth the weight in the a.m., and gaiters were helpful for the 3-5 memorable postholes. A few more nice days and this route might be clear.

Mostly sunny. Wind gusts up to ~20 mph above tree line. ~40 degrees F on the summit. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 5/1/2020, By: BorderCollie
Info: Barr Trail is doable to the summit. About a mile below A-Frame, I put on the micro-spikes. Then took them off for mile 10. Then put them back on for the last 2 miles! Poles were very helpful with the snow conditions and it was easy to follow the trail using the footsteps other people left behind. The last 1/4 mile is a bit confusing. Get a good early start or you will post-hole! 

Route: Y Couloir
Posted On: 4/29/2020, By: jrs1965
Info: Pikes Peak is open. Climbed the Y Couloir from Rumdoodle Ridge today. Was first in-line at the gate for PP Highway when it opened at 9 AM. Parked one vehicle on the summit and then drove back down and parked the second vehicle at mile 16. Descended Rumdoodle Ridge where we had a few soft snowy spots, but not too bad. Bottomless Pit still held quite a lot of soft snow with some post-holing. On the north side of the valley the snow was very solid/dense. Crampons went on just a little ways past the destroyed pick-up truck. Was warm today so was able to kick-step all the way to the top... Saw tons of skiers/boarders above Glen Cove. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 4/28/2020, By: Scotty21
Info: The road from Hwy 67 to the parking area is free of snow. Gate is closed (2 1/2 miles in) before the official Devils Playground-Crags trailhead, but there are plenty of parking spaces available right before reaching the locked gate. The trail is mostly covered with snow but very visible bootpack all the way to the summit. Snow softens During the afternoon. Shin/knee deep Postholing in few places on the way down especially before entering tree line. Slushy Snow maybe slick, use caution. Worn microspikes the entire hike. Watch for carins once you reach the last pitch to the summit. Be mindful and use caution when you past by the construction area near the current summit house. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 4/27/2020, By: RhodoRose
Info: Via the Crags. The road from Hwy 67 to the parking area is free of snow. Gate is still closed before the official trailhead parking, but there is ample parking space available before reaching the locked gate.
The trail is mostly covered with snow but visible bootpack all the way to the summit. Floatation not needed, spikes are a must, especially on the last pitch - the snow can be slick and several boulders are loose. Watch your step. No cornices along the route. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 4/11/2020, By: brauda02
Info: I parked at the free parking in Manitou and ran up and down Barr Trail today.

The trail is pretty much completely dry up to Barr Camp. Then it gets pretty icy up to the A-frame. I used microspikes from about a mile past Barr Camp to the summit and all the way back to Barr Camp. There's patches of dry trail, but it's not worth taking them off.

The sun was very intense above tree line. I was surprised the snow held mostly firm. I started at 9am, hilariously late too. I carried an ice axe, more so to test carrying it on my run pack than thinking I would need it to summit. I was happy to have it for the last 500'. There's a few side hills that a slip on firms snow would not be good.

I should add that I wore trail runners and shorts!

It was a great run back to Manitou. 9 hours 21 minutes. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/23/2020, By: Been_Jammin
Info: I used microspike and they were very helpful. There was maybe a half mile section of the route where snowshoes would of been helpful. But save the weight because starting from the winter trailhead this is a legit 16 mile SLOG.

Conditions were 30 - 40 mph winds, sub-zero wind-chill, partly sunny.

I left gaiters and snow goggles at home and highly regretted that decision.

Side note: Unleashed dogs are absolutely trash trail etiquette. And I'm not saying to keep them leashed at all times... if you are on a trail that is not busy then by all means set the furry friend free. But, be aware of your surroundings and when you are going to pass another dog get your good buddy back on a leash. To the group I cursed at on my descent... I'm sorry for dropping the F bomb. Not sorry for telling you how rude you are. My doggo doesn't want your random doggo in his butt. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/16/2020, By: pirates14
Info: Parked a mile below Crags campground by the closed gate. Nice snowpack/dirt to treeline..route was about half melted out from 12,000 ft to the summit with some mild postholing. Summit was packed full of cars and people. No traction or flotation needed for the way up. Spikes will save you plenty of time coming down 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/15/2020, By: Chris Rivera
Info: Trail is easy to follow up to the tree line. Microspikes came in handy. Above the tree line the snow has largely melted and so my snowshoes ended up being dead weight. From Devils Playground to pikes the trail is also relatively easy to follow, the road opened up for the day so there was a bit of noise from the traffic. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/16/2020, By: Randy1983
Info: Rare solitude on the summit for the last weekend in winter this year. Snow through the trees was hard packed on the way up for now, melting fast. Wish I would have brought skis for the descent. No traction/flotation needed.

Hero Traverse and Y-Col:
I was hoping to do these routes to make the day a bit more fun. But after getting a good look at the lack of and condition of the snow on the north face, I opted to just stick with the standard route. Seriously bummed I didn't get a chance to try these routes as they look like fun snow climbs. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 3/17/2020, By: jangelhiking
Info: Although the Barr trail leads up to the peak, the guides at Camp Barr sketched out a different, recommended path to get there. So, of course I took their advice! It was all going great until I reached the “Snow Gully.” Stretched out in front of me were a couple miles of uphill climb in either waist deep snow or careful ascent on top of rocks. Since I didn't bring my snowshoes, based on my experience from last year and on recent peak condition reports, going up the middle in snow was not an option. So, up the rocks I went, being very careful with my micro spikes to make sure I had not only good footing but also a path that didn't dead end into a cliff or a long stretch of snow. Weather was not ideal (which is not my excuse). Lack of visibility made it hard for me to predict how much rougher the higher I got. Almost two miles up the Snow Gully, winds were getting more fierce and sheets of tiny ice particles were being blown against me with each gust. I kept making short goals for myself, like getting to that next rock 50 feet up, and then again and again. Over time, my fingers got numb and even painful. At this point and prob one mile away, I decided to turn around. Boo. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 3/8/2020, By: DenverHiker
Info: Great Day on the Barr Trail - No Spikes or Flotation Needed. (Had Spikes with but didn't use.) See attached recommended winter route(s) suggested by the guys at Barr Camp (thanks!!) Upper summer route has enough snow to make it sketchy around the 16 Golden Stairs. We diverted at the A-frame, post holed some, then followed the gully to where the trail crosses to the overlook. Followed the trail for a few switch backs then went left up between the gully and ridge. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/7/2020, By: Thevirtualsherpa
Info: Gate closed 1.2 miles from TH, quick and easy to walk. Well established trail from TH to about 12,000 ft. Patches of dirt and packed snow all the way to the main northwest slopes. The slopes themselves are a mix of packed and sugar snow with two trails: one on standard summer route and one that goes a bit more straight up to ridge. Ultimately both get the job done. From slopes to devils playground - packed snow. Once you cross the road, there isn't really a trail to follow but it's obvious where to go, just stay low to not gain unnecessary elevation. From road to summit is mix of dirt, sugar snow and packed snow. Summit is a mess with construction and 2,000 people. Beautiful day on the mountain. FWIW: I carried shoes for almost 13 miles today, just didn't find that I needed them and never popped on spikes either, but perhaps would have made the descent easier. Anyway, full video and write up coming soon and feel free to message me on IG with any questions.