Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/22/2023, By: PedroCO Info: Rained the night before at the TH, snowed higher up on the mountain. Trail was good, though - not much snow on it until about 13K ft. Traction went on there, and we used trekking poles. More snow, like 6+ " on the last bit of the ridge - the steep part. Snow below the N ridge was melted off as we descended, but guessing that deeper part of the ridge will remain and build as we creep into Fall. Overall, if you have traction and are comfy in it, this route is still solid. This route is really nice - 4th time up it. And, the view from Handies is one of the best in the state. |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 9/18/2023, By: dean20170 Info: Did the standard, SW Ridges route today. No snow on the trail / peak whatsoever. Trail in great shape...easy to follow. CR30 getting to/from it much rougher/slower than I remembered...add 25 minutes to what Google says from Lake City to get to the 4WD trailhead. Got to that trailhead with a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk with no issues. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/17/2023, By: maurer_kg Info: Wow, it's a beautiful time to be on this route! The only challenge today was about four inches of snow on the final push to the summit. The upper trail (top 300 feet) has some spots that felt a little exposed and spooky in the snow, but nothing too spicy. Poles and microspikes will be helpful (or that snow might melt). |
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Route: SW Slope > E Slope Loop Posted On: 9/16/2023, By: espressoself Info: Started from Grizzly Gulch and hiked the road to American Basin to do a loop of both routes. Also tagged Whitecross which was in roughly the same shape. Everything is snow free to 13k and then have some snow (less than an inch) to 13.7kish. There is probably 3-4 above that, but it should melt quickly if nothing else blows in. Spikes recommended for the E Slope near the top. It was pretty slippery coming down. Also plenty of mud as things warmed up. Its still trail runner season if you ask me! |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 9/11/2023, By: Abowser7 Info: Summited Redcloud, Sunshine and Handies on 9/9/23. Started at 4:00 at Grizzly Gulch Trailhead, summited Redcloud at 6:30, summited Sunshine at 7:30. Do not do what I did and try and take the direct Sunshine route down to make the path a loop. Very sketchy about a mile down with very loose rocks and drop offs, no clear trail either. I ended up turning around and going back up Sunshine and Redcloud and back down the original combo route. Wasted about 2 hours and added and extra 1000 ft. of elevation gain. Got back to my car at 11:30 and drove to American Basin trailhead. Started Handies at 12:00, summited at 2, got back to the car at 3:30. The road is very doable, but very long. Cinnamon Pass and American Basin roads are doable in a stock 4runner. Saw a lot of smaller cars and outbacks as well. Redcloud was stunning, beautiful conditions and completely snow free. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 8/29/2023, By: backcountrybroads Info: Weather turned out to be better than expected. Cloudless until 9am, rainless until 1pm. Trail in fantastic condition. Road a little less so due to all the recent rain, but still Subaruable. Rode up in a long-wheelbase Chevy truck no problem. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 8/6/2023, By: ScottHendrick Info: East Slopes trail is in nice shape, summer conditions all the way. Beautiful hike. Left trailhead at 6:10 am, summit at 9:55 am, back at the parking lot at 12:20 pm. |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 8/1/2023, By: lesherhawk Info: Great conditions on the trail. No snow. Lots of standing water on CR30 due to rain showers every afternoon lately. Recommend high clearance vehicles going to Grizzly Gulch or American Basin trailheads. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/29/2023, By: Logan5280 Info: East slopes route is in total summer condition. The wildflowers are in right now. To the couple we met on Wetterhorn yesterday, I've attached some cool pictures of you guys on UN 13801 |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/28/2023, By: sean23 Info: Climbed Handies via Grizzly Gulch. Trail in excellent condition. No need for spikes or any other traction. Beautiful wildflowers on the way up the gulch |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 7/21/2023, By: Wentzl Info: Done today via Grouse Gulch. Trail clear of any and all snow that matters. Easily done in trail runners, no axe or traction needed. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/17/2023, By: crb443 Info: Route is easy to follow until you reach 13,400. The route description on here suggests when you reach the snowfield just below the ridge line to go around the snow. This is bad advice. The route around the left side snow is too steep and loose.. We saw two groups turn around here. Going through the snow was easy - we used poles but no traction. It's currently 20 steps total through two small snow fields. Route above 13,600 is a little loose but snow free and not too bad. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/14/2023, By: abmarchiani Info: We did the Handies Loop. We ascended Handies from the Grizzly Gulch Trailhead and descended to the American Basin Trailhead and hiked down the 4WD road back to Grizzly Gulch. There are several stream crossings (6-8 inches deep) on the road- you will get wet. RT about 12 miles. It was amazing. Both sides have a lot to offer. If we had to pick one route it would be the Grizzly Gulch. More difficult but more scenic. This hike is phenomenal- wildflowers (some of the best we have seen on 14ers), water features, mountain views, 360-degree views, great trail. Flying bugs were an issue at the lower elevations. Also, if you have driven the Mount Evans highway and did not like that- then you probably don't want to drive the road from Lake City to the trailhead. Enjoy! |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 7/13/2023, By: Mark Goldstein Info: The peak was dry, summer conditions and nice. Great weather. Sunny all day. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/7/2023, By: Colorado_weekend Info: Still a decent snow field right below the summit ridge, about 300 feet at a 15-30 degree slope. Tracking poles with snow baskets were helpful. Glissading down it was really fun. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/4/2023, By: Briere Info: Route is in good shape with 2 fallen trees and a few snow crossings. One snow field higher up to navigate around but I was able to see a trail going around it fairly easily. No traction or poles needed. |
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Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/3/2023, By: Jordang5 Info: This trail was BEAUTIFUL!! But it is definitely not 8 miles -more like 10.5 miles - there were 3 major snow fields (one was in the trees) - no need for spikes, they are not steep at all. There is one part towards the final ascent where you have to scramble up some rocks and a very small snow patch. Also, about a mile above tree line you have to go off the trail because its covered in snow but you can easily find the trail by just hiking toward the final ascent (the switchbacks are visible). Super do-able. |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 7/2/2023, By: JakeBortClimb Info: Started early, lots of snow still. Opted to follow summer route, definitely poles are nice and probably spikes(used mine on the way down, huge time saver) if done later in the day can get away with trenches and post holes. I talked to a few people who skipped summer route and took the glissade, which I regret not doing. Saves time and less sketch in the mornin. Snowpack right now makes the hike more interesting for sure. |
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Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 7/2/2023, By: JakeBortClimb Info: Started early, lots of snow still. Opted to follow summer route, definitely poles are nice and probably spikes(used mine on the way down, huge time saver) if done later in the day can get away with trenches and post holes. I talked to a few people who skipped summer route and took the glissade, which I regret not doing. Saves time and less sketch in the mornin. Snowpack right now makes the hike more interesting for sure. |
