Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 11/26/2016, By: Roald
Info: Since it's been almost a month since the last update, I'd thought I'd add one. I carried Microspikes with me the whole way but never found it necessary to use them. Gaiters are must though! The trail had 4 distinct conditions, as of today:

1) The first 1/2 mile or so (up to where the 664A turnoff is) has a good trench that is well packed and icy in spots. Microspikes might be helpful for some, but not totally necessary as of today.

2) From the 664A turnoff to just past tree line, there is also a trench but it is not hard packed like the first 1/2 mile. Although soft, its not deep enough to need flotation but might be after a few more snow dumps. Microspikes not needed here.

3) Shortly after leaving treeline the trench disappears and it becomes more like 3-4 sets of tracks fairly close together. Although at times these tracks clearly don't follow the actual trail, they will lead you to the Devil's Playground. Microspikes not necessary, flotation not necessary but will likely be needed on this portion after a few more dumps. I post-holed waist deep a couple times but not often enough to wish I had brought flotation.

4) Devil's Playground to summit doesn't have as much snow, but has just enough to make the trail invisible in places. Spikes and flotation not needed.

Happy Climbing! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/29/2016, By: rivrrapids
Info: Route still completely clear all the way. 

Route: 
Posted On: 10/24/2016, By: RWSchaffer
Info: Barr Trail would be completely dry from base to summit were it not for the little creek that flows along the path for about 100 feet just below Barr Camp. 

Route: Crags to Barr
Posted On: 10/21/2016, By: cbrobin
Info: Hiked from the Crags Trail Head to the Summit and down the Barr trail. Completely dry and minimal wind. The pizza oven on the summit is broken. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/15/2016, By: Tlorbets
Info: Only 6 cars at trail head at 6a.m. Was filled completely on my return at noon. Trail was great all the way to summit, no snow, no traction. Windy, but was expected. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/11/2016, By: gokarengo
Info: From Crags, there was a tiny bit of snow above treeline that was completely avoidable and melted by noon. Other than the wind, it was a beautiful day! 

Route: 
Posted On: 9/23/2016, By: syukman
Info: The City of Manitou Springs has recently Increased the parking fees for Barr Trail parking lot, which is the trail head for Pikes Peak from $5.00 to $20.00 per day. If you want to climb Pikes Peak for free, take the Northwest slope route. There is a little town called Divide near by where you can get supples of needed. There is camping available on this Northwest slope route in the Crags campground. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/23/2016, By: majiqman
Info: From Crags trailhead, no hikers until DP parking lot.
Trail was very dry with no snow. Good traction on slopes.
Summitted at 12:30 p.m., windy at 20-30 mph, temps in the 40's, clouds coming in but no rain or lightning/thunder. 

Route: Crags Trailhead
Posted On: 9/20/2016, By: njbillpas
Info: Climbed via Crags Trailhead on Sunday 9/19/16. Route was completely free of snow, no traction needed . Better climb it this week before the snow comes in. Added one picture of the Northwest face, most of the snow in the picture is on the north face. Great day , little wind, sunny with no clouds. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/20/2016, By: navygator2000
Info: Hiked up this day with my oldest son (age 12) and it was a great time. No snow, trail was in great shape, beautiful weather, not too windy. Last mile was a little tricky going over all the rocks (though they were dry) - definitely dicey with a little dude in tow, but he made it. Great day to be outside! 

Route: 
Posted On: 9/16/2016, By: camocreation
Info: Hiked/trail ran Barr Trail from trailhead to summit and back yesterday morning. Entire trail in perfect condition with zero snow all the way up. Minimal wind the last 2-3 miles below the summit. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/2/2016, By: benlawson1983
Info: No snow till around 13k. Last 800 feet of elevation or so was very slippery. I used microspikes here, and recommend having them packed just in case. I past a couple of guys that were not using them ... one mentioned that he might ask for a ride down to the devils playground so that he didn't have to go down from the summit to "little pikes," again it was very slick! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/31/2016, By: dwoodward13
Info: Up and down Crags today leaving at 5am. snow started at around 12k and was manageable for a while, then turned to posthole hell after rounding around Little Pikes. On the final push up the summit snow was 2 to 3 feet deep in places. As you can imagine the snow did not get any better on the way down....A nice boot track should be in place now with about 15 people I saw on the route today. I would recommend some sort of flotation or nice cold overnight temps.

Still cant beat a day on the mountain! 

Route: 
Posted On: 8/29/2016, By: climbnowworklater
Info: Nice storm came in last night and Pikes was white this morning. Not the best pic and the peak is cloud covered, but it gives an idea. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/22/2016, By: MatthewWatson
Info: Arrived at Crag's Peak 5:30AM--dry road, easy to navigate even in a Kia Soul. Plenty of parking room. Only saw a few people on the trail. A few stormclouds overhead but no rain, and beautiful weather until we finished at 2:45PM.