4/16/2023 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 4/17/2023, By: coloradomojo Info: Attempted from Harvard Lakes TH. Basically little snow to turn off from Colorado Trail, but lots there after. One old snow shoe trail and a couple of old skin tracks off and on to treeline. Made it to 13,300ft but with strong wind and a reminder that the snow we traveled across with spikes would be softening, we turned around. The softening snow didn't disappoint....areas of postholing even with snowshoes. My son found evidence that even a moose had belly-flopped in soft snow. Saw about 20 sheep at 12k. Didn't see a moose but saw more moose poop below treeline than I have collectively ever seen. Be wary as there was evidence of moose calf poop as well. |
|
2/3/2023 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 2/3/2023, By: Chipmunk Info: Made it to Harvard Lakes TH in a 4Runner with snow tires. The road is snowy but there are plenty of tracks to follow. Easy in the morning when frozen, a little sloppier on the way out this afternoon. The Colorado Trail is nicely packed down with intermittent dry patches and ice. Two groups did Columbia today - myself and partner and a third solo hiker. We started later than the solo hiker and he did a ton of work re-establishing the trench! Our path diverged from his at times, but all routes lead to the summit (and some also lead to 'fun' snowshoe rock walking). Snowshoes are necessary to treeline, we stashed them and barebooted the ridge. Beautiful day! Started at 7:30, summit at 12:30, back to the car at 3:45. |
|
1/14/2023 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 1/15/2023, By: IanJSmith Info: Someone go get the Columbia snowflake! I couldn't... Harvard Lakes trailhead accessible to Trucks or Large SUVs with good treads. Although any AWD vehicle can make it about 0.6 miles from the trailhead (38.8605389, -106.2301959), which is what I did in a Subaru. I started at 4am, and I'd recommend doing the same if attempting to summit. No tracks to be found when I started the day, but I broke trail and 2 others followed them to tree-line leaving a decent trench to treeline - snowshoes necessary. It should be a little easier going for the next few folks unless the trench gets covered up. Above treeline is much easier going and is either dirt or wind scoured snow - microspikes were all I used above treeline. I made the decision to turn back at about 13,300 and 1 mile from the summit due to annoying winds, general slow-going throughout the day, and worry that trudging back through the trees would be difficult. I ended up making it down relatively quickly with the trench well in place from the 2 other hikers. I would say I wish I had gone for the summit, except ear-popping, knock-you-over winds making it very difficult to walk came from nowhere midway through my descent. Probably best not to have continued further away from the shelter of the trees afterall. A tough but doable climb winter climb. Go get it! Quick note about Avy Danger: This route avoids most avy danger being on the ridge, but I did cause 3 medium sized "crack-womphs" in the trees resulting in a fracture in the snow about 10-20ft around me. The slope was not steep enough to slide, but may have on steeper slopes. I became hyper-aware of where I might end up if a small slide occurred, keeping close to trees of possible. The snowpack is fragile, indeed! Above treeline, very little snow or steep slopes exist on the route, and avy danger didn't feel like a concern. |
|
11/22/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 11/24/2022, By: infinitealpine Info: Road to TH is in good shape, last 1.5mi has compact snow but easy to drive on. The first few miles up to the horn fork basin junction is compact snow and easy to move fast through. After this point the snow is a little bit deeper (4-6in) but not enough for flotation. After the turn off to Columbia the trail is hidden and shin to knee deep until you get above tree line. This was the hardest part to navigate. I rock hopped after getting to the big cairn above tree line to avoid more post holing on the proper trail. Spikes and axe recommended above this point, as certain parts are hard ice on steep slopes. I turned around at 12,600ft due to time constraints. If you start early, move fast, and don't mind possibly doing a portion in the dark it's doable. But I'll likely be back next year for this one. |
|
11/1/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 11/2/2022, By: jmfb3 Info: 8+ inches of snow the entire way. |
|
10/16/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 10/16/2022, By: lesliegb6720 Info: Trail was mosty clear and dry with just a few muddy spots during the first three miles, nothing significant. The trail was clear of snow and ice all the way to the summit. |
|
10/15/2022 Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse Posted On: 10/16/2022, By: lang_daly Info: Traverse is >95% snow-free, a little icy coming off Harvard but certainly can be done without traction. |
|
10/15/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 10/17/2022, By: Gtpokrant Info: Trail was dry and completely free of snow/ice. No spikes were required. Of note, there was snow on the southern Sawatches (Yale, Princeton, etc) but the central Sawatches (Columbia, Harvard, Bel/Ox, etc) were dry on 10/15/22. |
|
10/15/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 10/16/2022, By: Kush_Mountains808 Info: Still summer conditions on the trail. Trail below Columbia's ridge has a lot of loose dirt / scree. Definitely need to take your time coming down to avoid falling on your butt/wrists. |
|
9/17/2022 Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse Posted On: 9/17/2022, By: shapovalovm Info: Still summer conditions. Part 1. TH-> Harvard. Got there at around 7am. The lot was full, but I still managed to find a spot. The road is very doable in any car. There were portable toilets at the TH. The trail is very easy to follow and is class 1 until the last, maybe, 20 feet. Part 2. Harvard->Columbia traverse. This took way longer than expected (2.5 hours), mostly due to rough terrain. There is a lot of go up-around-down boulders. Navigation at the very bottom of the traverse was not that obvious and barely cairned. Maybe it is just me, but my advice, think how long it would take you and then add 50-100% on top of that. Not surprised that the route page has a large disclaimer about "numerous rescues" there. Only saw 3 other people on the traverse. Part 3. Columbia->TH. Not sure why people complain about this on FB. The first section (after you leave the ridge) is a bit loose, but not horrible if you have proper hiking boots (vs sneakers/trailrunners). Then the switchbacks start, which are in perfect shape and are essentially a highway. Whoever made them this way deserves a raise, IMO. That whole trail is class 1. Took me about 2:05 to get down. Overall, 7:10am start, 4:00pm finish, so just below 9 hours. If you ask me, I think Harvard->Columbia is the best direction to do the loop. |
|
8/27/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 8/27/2022, By: madmattd Info: The area got a lot of rain Friday if what I drove through in South Park Friday night is any indication. The trail up to the Harvard/Columbia split has a good number of mud bogs, some with rocks/logs to step on, but not all. The new trail up the lower half of Columbia is great, I was sad when it ran out at 13K and turned into the usual steep dirt/kitty litter. Still, not too bad overall. Nice day up top. |
|
8/17/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 8/17/2022, By: wanderlust073 Info: Tried to squeeze one in between the unusual bouts of rain this past week. Road was in good condition, any vehicle could make it with just a few larger potholes to avoid. Trail was also in good shape though the recent rains (and periodic bouts of rain while we were hiking) have worn long stretches of ruts down it due to the run off. CFI did an amazing job up on the mountain itself. |
|
6/24/2022 Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse Posted On: 6/25/2022, By: Skimo95 Info: Backside of traverse is still holding some consolidated snow. Route from Harvard to Oxford/Belford is summer conditions. Started at N Cottonwood Creek, dropping into Pine, and descending Missouri Gulch |
|
6/20/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/21/2022, By: brchristensen Info: Road to trailhead is in great condition, 2WD. No snow worth mentioning. Typical spring conditions with occasional mud and small streams. Easily bypassed, trail 99% dry. Some downed trees before the Harvard / Columbia split, fairly easy to step over or bypass. Overly friendly marmot on the trail, watch your snacks! The high winds made the ridge miserable, definitely one to avoid on higher wind days. |
|
6/12/2022 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/14/2022, By: subalpine_style Info: Little bits of snow in the trees, completely dry above about 11.6, summer conditions. |
