Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/29/2018, By: Giant hills
Info: Hiked the crags trail on sunday. The conditions from trailhead to treeline consists of steady boot packed 6 or so inches of snow that didnt require any traction. The trail was easy to follow even with head lamp. Just make sure to turn right where the trail splits a little ways before treeline theres no sign just read the route description before and youll be good. The slope after tree line was a mix of snow and dirt,easy to follow. from there on out it was mostly snow free to the summit. Rocks before summit were frosty making for a somtimes annoying slip but other than that it was clear. Just very cold and windy. No traction was needd the whole way. Face and wind protection is a total must. Othet than that go get it. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/29/2018, By: Andy_Lyon
Info: Trail is mostly clear with drifts, with deeper drifts above timberline. We did not carry snow shoes and did not need them. Bring the micro spikes for anything above No Name Creek. If you're counting on the Summit House and/or road being open when you summit, check with toll road gate at 719.385.7325 because conditions can change and they may close early or not even open. You can get a cell signal (Verizon) at the A-Frame shelter and other spots on the route. Dress for sub-zero weather even on sunny days (we saw many who had not and were in no position to summit as a result). 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/18/2018, By: tomcat32
Info: I feel guilty calling this a winter ascent. No traction of any kind, no snowshoes, no gaiters. The only snow that I sank in a couple times was on the side of Little Pikes and near the Swithcbacks of the road. Mostly bare above treeline and the inch or two below treeline was packed to dirt. If you want a winter gimme nows your chance. I've seen worst conditions in September on lower peaks. 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 1/8/2018, By: wolfgangstiller
Info: Amazing conditions for January. Only patchy snow above tree line. Below treeline is fine too but beware of a huge area of ice next to Barr camp on Barr trail. This is due to a stream overflow and is very thick and solid ice. When this gets covered with snow it will be treacherous and this won't melt off until summer melt-off. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/4/2018, By: pmreyn2010
Info: The route is in great shape right now; I'd imagine it's probably one of the driest routes up a 14er at this point in the season.

Above treeline- almost no snow at all. It is shockingly dry for this time of year. Below treeline- some snow off and on on different trail segments that has consolidated down (definitely not snow shoe worthy, there's nothing to posthole in!) There's only one sketchy place where you have to cross a frozen creek... the creek is completely frozen over at this point. I was able to go up a little ways and carefully step across some rocks sticking out of the ice without putting my spikes on. That would've been the only place I would've used my spikes though had I decided to cross there, since it essentially was a mini skating rink (see picture). 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 1/3/2018, By: ahriman
Info: NO SNOW, fall conditions, some solid ice patches where water crosses trail. Little windy, and zero-ish temps in places, but gorgeous weather ... if you like that sort of thing in Winter. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 12/18/2017, By: emroka
Info: Trail is covered in packed snow to treeline and there is a clear trail of footprints to follow. We didn't use traction, but microspikes might be nice in the beginning. Above treeline there is very little snow on the route. The rocks on the final climb to the summit are almost completely snow-free but can be slick in areas. While there wasn't much snow, it was freezing cold and very windy above treeline. 

Route: Barr
Posted On: 12/3/2017, By: asnellstrom
Info: Route is unbelievably bare, maybe 6 snow patches to cross total. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 12/2/2017, By: mr_Chris
Info: Trail is, indeed, clear enough that no traction is needed. There is some lingering hardpack early on, but that clears up after a couple miles. The rocks on the final scramble tend to get really frosty too, so it was a little slick up there in spots. System supposed to be coming through Sunday night 12/3, so that will probably change things a bit by Monday. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 11/29/2017, By: markf
Info: Trail is clear, no traction devices needed. needed. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 11/27/2017, By: thebeave7
Info: Summitted Pikes today from the Crags side. A few icy spots on the road, but nothing that would impede driving to the TH.
Other than a few patches of packed snow and ice along the trail things are 90% clear. The wind was howling above treeline though, sustained 30mph with gust of 50-60mph. The shop on the summit was closed (as with the road and cog). Only saw one other person on the summit, great time to get up there for a little solitude. 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 11/26/2017, By: Marmot96
Info: Snow is packed on certain parts of the trail, primarily above treeline. The final 300 feet to the summit was very icy, but with careful stepping and some rock hopping I didn't need microspikes, but if we get another storm, you'd probably want some.

Also, I saw many people only carrying water bottles in their hands, saying they would get more water and food at the summit house. Don't count on it being open, since the train is broken until the spring and if the roads get closed, the building will not open!! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 11/18/2017, By: BColo
Info: Trail below treeline is dry, no snow or ice. I didn't go much above 12k as the wind/clouds were gusting to 60 mph with visibility between 100- 200m. No snow accumulation at all (8am). 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 11/12/2017, By: alyannkar
Info: The trail was mostly snow free until treeline where it was spotty. I did not need traction. The 16 Golden Stairs had the most snow and was slick, but the rest was smooth sailing. 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 11/14/2017, By: Dayna Bird
Info: Areas of snow on the trail especially in the last couple miles but no traction needed all the way to the top.