Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/8/2015, By: Grizzlyclimber
Info: Beautiful day on Pikes Peak. Started at 0430. As the sun came up the sky was overcast but broken. The trail itself was in great shape. There was a water crossing at a stream but was not deep. Water was moving at a decent pace in the streams. Lots of traffic towards devils playground around 0900 so just be careful crossing the road. Oh and I got to the top and the fryer for the donuts was broken. It is a strenuous hike but the views of the front range and west towards the Sangres is great. Definitely worth the work you put in. Oh and FYI at 0430 there were only 6 cars in the parking lot for the TH. Was full with the sides of the road full at 1230. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/2/2015, By: jjasks
Info: Conditions are fine using the NW slope - I was a little surprised at how steep it was before Devils Playground and then it seemed to tame out the rest of the way. Keep in mind that Aug is training for the Ascent/Marathon so there was some traffic related to that. It was moderate/lite traffic on the back side, of course once you get to the top it is packed.

I found the last mile of the trail folks were going off trail and not following the established trail that is parallel to the road (above it of course), it is easy to loose it, and it is not direct. The funny thing is, it is just as fast as we saw a couple go direct, we followed the trail and got to the top a little ahead of them. Just slow down and follow the cairns.

I used the GPX route posted on 14'ers and it was dead on.

I have been up Barr many times, this was a nice alternative and 1/2 the distance/elevation. Much better for a up and back. 

Route: Crags Trail
Posted On: 7/1/2015, By: gworledge
Info: The trail from the Crags was in good shape. We ran into two snow fields just past Devil's Playground which were passable. Was surprised about the Boulder Field just before summit, follow the cairns and they will lead you to the top. Good hiking!! 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/28/2015, By: TylerButler
Info: Trail clear until mile 11. Intermittent snow traversing and scrambling (to bypass switchbacks covered in snow) above mile 11 to the summit.

Mile 11 to mile 12 snow has been compacted by foot traffic and is easily traversable while firm in the morning. Snow softened as the day progresses causing the footing to become slick. Typical snow cover encountered less than 1'.

Mile 12 to the summit required traversing of intermittent unconsolidated snow and scrambling to avoid snow-covered switchbacks. The snow cover was fairly soft and postholing did occur. Typical snow cover encountered less than 1'.

I found trekking poles and footwear with aggressive tread to be sufficient. Snowshoes/traction devices were unnecessary for conditions discovered. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/28/2015, By: csmith
Info: This route is almost free of snow. There were a few short snow crossings. All of them were well boot-packed and easy to cross. No need for traction, and wearing trail runners would have been fine. 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/25/2015, By: wtaylor
Info: We took Barr Trail. Lots of snow up high still on Monday. Several 100-150ft snowfields to cross above treeline, but no problem without spikes or snowshoes. Trail is difficult to follow from the Cirque to Summit due to snow. Below the Cirque the tracks in the snow pretty much take you near the trail and connect back with the trail at the end. Not recommended with Teva's but we made it. My feet were wet and cold by summit, happy for dry shoes/socks. 1st 14er. :). 12h20m Trip one way. Lucky we had great weather. 

Route: Flying W Couloirs
Posted On: 6/22/2015, By: CO Native
Info: Flying W Couloirs are still climbable, which is amazing for this late in June. The East couloir has about 200 feet of bare ground, the rest is in great shape. The middle has a small waterfall near the bottom that will soak you pretty good if you don't skirt it. The middle still has just enough snow near the top that you don't have to be on rock too much. The West Couloir has the usual three rock steps exposed. Some water on these but not bad. 

Route: Little Italy
Posted On: 6/22/2015, By: CO Native
Info: Little Italy has continuous snow still. There was one major rock fall this winter in the couloir that left the narrow section (about the ankle of the boot) full of rocks. No big deal on an ascent, but requires some caution when glissading or skiing. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/20/2015, By: scootmanjones
Info: All the snow below 12,750ft melted today. Higher up there were maybe 10-12 short snowfields to cross. In the morning (I started at 5:40am) the snowfields were solid and only once when I was skirting Point 13,363 did I think I should put on spikes. I kept them in my pack, however. There was very little snow on the final push to the summit. On the way down (summited at 9:20) the snow was definitely softer and I post holed for maybe 30-40 yards total. No spikes, no snowshoes, no gaiters. 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/21/2015, By: jrs1965
Info: Climbed the Y Couloir Direct Route from Rumdoodle Ridge. Gates open at 7:30 AM and there was about a .25 mile long line of mostly fishermen at 7:15 AM. Parked on the PP Highway. We had originally wanted to do the Hero's Traverse but bailed on seeing the steepness of the snow field at the ridge. Still quite a lot of snow. Was really warm and the crampons wanted to slip a little. Slope is not too steep so never felt like I was going to slide. Saw a few skiers in the Y yesterday, the Rock Band had to be down climbed. My partner was able to get a good ski run in on the South Bowl as we were driving down the PP Highway. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/21/2015, By: 510rock
Info: Left the Crags trailhead at 5am. Brought snowshoes but never put them on. No snow until about 12,750 ft. Crossed some short snow fields but the snow was firm enough without snowshoes. There was a decent boot track across the snowfields by the time I descended but the snow was definitely getting wet and soft around 11-12noon. The snow is melting fast and I doubt much will be left in another week or so. 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/15/2015, By: SnowAlien
Info: Skiers right branch of the couloir is continuous (to the right of car wreckage). Clear snow past the crux to about 13.5k. Some avy debris after that, but still plenty of real estate left to ski. Entrance to the couloir is a non-issue, no cornice to speak of if you stay in the center. 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/15/2015, By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: We skied/climbed the Railroad Couloir today but got a good look at the Y Couloir. Near the top, the eastern and direct branches appear to have good snow cover, with the direct being the most continuous. A few people skied the Y today and it looked like they had a smooth descent. Plenty of snow for climbing. 

Route: Railroad Couloir
Posted On: 6/10/2015, By: RWSchaffer
Info: There was plenty of snow in the Railroad Couloir (Photo 1, looking down). And it was in good climbing condition. A bit on the soft side after the morning warm-up, but not so soft that I worried about its stability.

It looked like there was snow on most lines that a person could reasonably want to take (Photo 2).

And the Railroad Couloir topped-out to a view that is unique in the Colorado mountains (Photo 3). 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/7/2015, By: MissH
Info: Trail is mostly clear of snow with a few ice patches in the shade until treeline. See photos for snow. Warmer temps mean lots of postholing so flotation and waterproof shoes are highly recommended, even early in the morning and on this gray day. Warning #1: the friendly tourists resh off the cog at the summit like to ask hikers questions, even if the answers seem obvious! Warning #2: the park rangers were out in full force along the highway (especially b/c they closed the road just past Devil's Playground that day) - be prepared to take the trail up/down as it's intended and not the highway. Now we know how the animals in drive-through wildlife safaris must feel like... too bad nobody fed us :(