Snowmass Mountain

Route: S-Ridge
Posted On: 9/25/2022, By: MrSmileweil
Info: No Snow. S-Ridge was fun, do recommend for those that like class 3-4. Attempted "Snowman" traverse (Snowmass to Hagerman centennial), but boogied out down a gully after not really knowing how to tackle the first tower crux. Also partner was in bad shape. If I had another opportunity, I think maybe going down and to the right was the way to ascend that tower, left just looks like an unreasonable route to take. Total mileage was ~9 miles from 4WD trailhead at Lead King. 4 more to go! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/18/2022, By: swesleyc7
Info: Accomplished Snowmass via East Slopes in 1 day. The trail to the lake was perfect and down-right enjoyable. Plenty of loop backpackers at the lake enjoying themselves. The route to the summit from the lake was OK, however snow is beginning to accumulate at the pre-summit talus field and on the summit itself. It was only 2-3 inches and, early morning, didn't cause much problem however during the afternoon, when the snow began to soften, it became a hazard and any step onto rock with snow would cause your footing to slip. The snow didn't give much issue on the final ascent to the summit. Just be aware, at this time, early morning and afternoon drizzles are more than likely and snow is now starting to dust the mountains. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/6/2022, By: mpezzino
Info: Peak was free of snow. Skies were clear. Peak temps were around 60. Lots of loose rock in the boulder field above the lake - avoid this and stay to the right to climb up a granite slab that is mostly dry. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/4/2022, By: berko89
Info: Near ~11,750' (39.11581, -107.04742) there is a good place to exit the dreadful scree slope onto a good, switch-backing trail up a grassy slope to ~12,300'. This trail is clearly well-traveled and shows up on mapping metadata but the other parties we saw that day didn't seem to know about it and it was not obvious to us from the standard route description. This trail was a very pleasant surprise for us so sharing in hopes that this helps others minimize their time on the sketchy scree slope. The cross over point was well cairned and dry in early Sept but not sure how viable this path is in early season while the snowmass is still around. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/29/2022, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Packed in 8/27 and climbed same day 8/27 with (mostly) good weather. Momma moose and calf call home the bog before the log jam - caused a long delay as she was right by the trail, and there is no way I'm walking past her.
Log jam in great shape. Log crossing at Snowmass Lake also in good shape.
Lots of rain Fri/week prior meant muddy trails and wet willows but not terrible. Scree field up the first slope was about as bad as expected. Zero snow. Lots of rockfall seen and heard across at Hagerman and lose rocks going up Snowmass final stretch.

Timing: Started at 4:25am and arrived at Snowmass Lake at 9:15am (including the moose delay). Snowmass Mtn from ~10:00am to 7:00pm finish at the lake campsite, which also included multiple weather delays (which didn't come in but had to be careful) - without those it would be about 8 hours up and down, and we're about average paced. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/11/2022, By: ballardwf04
Info: Completely clear of snow. Probably the most fun mountain I've done to date- cairn-hopping was a great time and scrambling was low-risk. That being said, would recommend a helmet as we heard several rockfalls both on the mountain and at base in Snowmass Lake. Only saw two other climbers! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/11/2022, By: ballardwf04
Info: Completely clear of snow. Probably the most fun mountain I've done to date- cairn-hopping was a great time and scrambling was low-risk. That being said, would recommend a helmet as we heard several rockfalls both on the mountain and at base in Snowmass Lake. Only saw two other climbers! 

Route: West Slope
Posted On: 7/25/2022, By: downishardest
Info: 4wd road was easily passable in my UTV. Saw a few pickup trucks and some jeeps that made it up. There is no snow at all in the main gully for the West slopes route. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/17/2022, By: kmaha
Info: Summited Snowmass yesterday - 16 July. All snow is easily avoidable. There's one large patch of snow heading up to the “bump,” however, you can easily boulder hop to the left of it to bypass. The log jam is in good condition and easy to cross. The willows around the lake are pretty miserable. After the recent rain, you're either trying to not get smacked in the face by branches, or slip on slick mud and roots. The scree slope is really loose in spots, again due to recent rains. The gully is fairly easy to cross, but the rock is slippery. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/10/2022, By: trkl9
Info: The snowmass has really melted out. I brought an axe and crampons but didn't even pull out the crampons. I used the axe because I had it but you could probably get away with one/two trekking poles. What snow there is felt supportive but you could probably find a way to rock hop if you want most of the way up. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/5/2022, By: samfarmer789
Info: Snowmass in great condition. We had on the gps 8.5mi to the lake and then 3.5mi from the lake to the summit. Log jam in good condition, easily crossable. Not very much snow in the gully but still would definitely bring spikes & ice axe. Glissaded down the snow after summitting. Cairns along the summit ridge/just below summit ridge are pretty easy to find. Took us a while to go from lake to summit- over 5 hours for 3.5 miles! We we were slow going while decided if we should bail due to clouds coming in- glad we didn't though as we had a perfect bluebird summit! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/1/2022, By: pjcolorado
Info: Thanks tremendously to the folks who recently posted. I was as ready as I could be for that slog up the mountain. I went door-to-door in 21 hours. Crossing the logjam in the dark was not a lot of fun. The first way I chose was not the right way. I came back to shore and found the right way across. Everything was fine until I got to the snowmass. The snow is melting and you can hear it everywhere. You never know when it will try to swallow you up. Crampons are the equipment of the day if you hope to negotiate the snowmass. I met a couple who had departed their campsite at the lake at 2 a.m. who could not get to the notch on just micro spikes. And that stream/waterfall by the scree field? First thing in the morning it was an easy cross. Coming back across in the afternoon after the sun had melted the mountain, it turned into a raging beast! I managed to find a way across, but I might have gotten a little wet doing it. That scree field is not a picnic after you've summited and are on your way back down on tired legs. The rest of the hike was fine and I was back at my car just after 10 p.m., happy to have this one in the books. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/29/2022, By: psa954hiker
Info: I climbed North Maroon 6/28 and took this photo of Snowmass Mtn east slopes for those thinking to take that route. Capitol Peak is also hanging onto some snow. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/29/2022, By: NickSkisGood
Info: what a hike! did all 22 miles in one day push starting at 12:45am finishing just before dusk. Made it extra challenging by lugging skis up there, though the ski descent on the snowmass was totally worth it! Be careful route finding on the last ridge. Super fun! Check out our youtube video of the hike/ ski: https://youtu.be/UVsiYUwFmog 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/26/2022, By: jeffh7
Info: Now is the time to do Snowmass!

We backpacked in and split the hike into two days and felt that it was a way more enjoyable way to experience this mountain. Everything is super green and lush right now with plenty of wildflowers. Agree with other report, turn right asap when you get to the logjam for an easier crossing. We were at the logjam in the daytime and still managed to miss the turn initially and backtracked. Crossing it during the day isn't too bad. Two of us did it easily without poles and one used poles.

The willows/trail around the lake isn't too bad if you actually stay on trail. We left the lake at 2am in the dark (stars were unbelievable) and one of the snow drifts covered a crucial turn we missed which resulted in us bushwhacking a good half of the willows which sucked. On the way back we stayed on trail the entire time but there were still plenty spots that were covered by drifts. It should be pretty easy to follow footsteps now though. The loose rock/dirt before the snow was easily the worst and most dangerous part of the hike. We did the entire thing with just headlamp light and got into a few parts with minimal rock traction and just pure loose dirt right above a "no-fall" zone where you'd tumble pretty far. This was right next to the waterfall. Descending we stayed pretty much on/in the waterfall and it was a little better, but still very unenjoyable during the steepest part.

Once we made it to the snowmass we put on crampons and brought out our iceax. Iceax + 1 pole combo was great for ascending. I definitely felt more comfortable with crampons, but it would be possible with spikes but maybe a little sketch depending on your line. We were doing most of the ascent in the dark so the snow was nice and hard for our traction devices. When descending we were able to glissade the entirety of the snow and our ice ax was great for stopping us quickly. The glissade was super fun and never felt dangerous at any point with an ax. We were descending around 8 AM and the snow was already softening and getting a little wet on the top but still firm below.

When we got to the ridgeline we stashed snow equipment and scrambled to the summit. We were doing this portion during the sunrise which was incredibly pretty. We mainly tried to stay ridge proper which brought us to some really fun class 3/low 4 climbing. You could make it easier on yourself by staying low. We reached summit around 6:15 AM, thus resulting in about a 4 hour ascent from the lake.

Side note: U.S. Forest Service was at the lake clearing logs off of the trail. Make sure you sign and bring the form at the trailhead if you are camping overnight as well as bring a bear canister & bathroom equipment. They checked to make sure we had all when we talked to them. Also make sure to thank them for what they do :)

All in all, my favorite 14er thus far and one of my most memorable trips in the mountains. Feel free to ask me any extra info. Now is your chance to go for this mountain before the snow really starts to melt.