Handies Peak

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/9/2013, By: SES_17
Info: From 4wd TH, many snowfields cover trail through lower basin. Going up not a problem but most were getting soft in afternoon. Trail in upper basin is covered in many places with no tracks present. All traffic appears to go up left side of basin to switchbacks below saddle. Above this, all is dry and clear. 

Route: West Slopes
Posted On: 6/1/2013, By: Nelson
Info: The snow is melting fast on the west face. Between 12,300 and the summit I got maybe 1000 feet of snow climbing. The top 300 feet is pretty much bare. The east face still holds quite a bit of snow. I descended the standard route and there was a fair amount of snow. Because I was early it was very firm. 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 5/27/2013, By: BobbyFinn
Info: We did not hike Handies Peak, but here are two pics of it from nearby peaks.
We did not need flotation in American Basin - the snow was firm in the morning and mostly firm in the early afternoon.

Pic 1: South slopes from near the top of American Peak
Pic 2: Handies from UN13,535 

Route: boulder gulch, southeast ridge
Posted On: 3/15/2013, By: mtn_nut
Info: Boulder gulch is good to go. Climbed it today with Jim, minimal avy danger if you pick your route carefully. There is a nice trench in the gultch and on the road leading to it from cataract gulch. I will put up photos on Monday, however I wanted to post first so people would know about conditions this weekend. We also saw a skier drop into American basin from the top, so there may be a track up from either silverton or the road closure on the lake city side. 

Route: boulder gulch, southeast ridge
Posted On: 12/30/2012, By: mtn_nut
Info: Boulder gulch hasn't loaded itself with snow on the right side, most south facing slopes are still low on snowpack with patchy snow. Road to boulder gulch is partially packed from snowmobiles. Be aware that the ridge has a short section of class 3 climbing with class 4 exposure.

the purple line is the boulder gulch route, and is a VERY general approximation. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/7/2012, By: bhess86
Info: The upper trail (photos 24 and 25 in the route description) had ice and snow and microspikes were useful (dare I say necessary) for descending this section. Snow can be seen on the upper switchbacks in the picture. 

Route: Grouse Gulch approach to American Basin SW slope
Posted On: 10/2/2012, By: cougar
Info: No snow on the route or in basin - very, very small avoidable patches. Trail is a little muddy in spots at head of American Basin going up the switchbacks. Still summer-like conditions. Some snow on neighboring peaks. Fantastic views. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/23/2012, By: HighCountry
Info: What little remains of last year's snowpack partially obscures less than 6ft of the trail on the final approach to the summit. The entire route is in great condition and the wildflowers are particularly abundant. 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/18/2012, By: Unknown
Info: Beautiful route, with a ton of wildflowers blooming at the moment. A few minor snow crossings, but no spikes or traction needed, and never even post-holed. 4-wheel drive trail section after the fork was not too bad in my Honda Ridgeline, but evaluate your line on the stream crossing. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/17/2012, By: SurfNTurf
Info: This gorgeous hike is entirely snow-free except for one short, avoidable section right as you gain the ridge. Basically one switchback of the trail is covered, but you can cut up 20' of scree and stay on dry ground. No ice ax, traction or gaiters necessary. Total summer conditions. Thanks to San Juan Ron again for the lift to the trailhead! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/13/2012, By: Matt Lemke
Info: Snow free 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/12/2012, By: Lindyhapa
Info: It's almost all clear out there, just one avoidable snow field on the ascent to the saddle (stay left at the first switchback below the saddle to avoid snowfield). I ran into a small black bear (maybe 3 feet tall on all fours) and a porcupine in the dusk on the way down. It was a beautiful hike. I love how green it is right now. 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/1/2012, By: mzamp
Info: A few snow crossings from TH until about 11,900. Then snow all the way past the lake until climbing out of the basin. We did not use snowshoes and only PH on occasion when near rocks and we hiked in the afternoon when the snow is much softer. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 5/13/2012, By: esskay1000
Info: Great day on Handies today via Grizzly Gulch. Snow started in earnest around 12,000ft and made route finding a bit of a challenge, but not too bad. Snow was easily hikeable early in the morning, but the same fields were very soft on descent and I used my snowshoes once. The glissading opportunities are awesome and I knocked off about 600ft or so on two glissades (see pic). This is worth the climb alone! 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 5/12/2012, By: zdero1
Info: Hiked up Handies from American Basin and had to break trail on the standard route, which I found difficult to stay on. I'd say at least 80% of the route is covered in snow, with the majority of the snow free sections above the saddle. Traversed several snowfields with steep drops below but thankfully it was a nice sunny morning and the snow was just the right consistency to hike on it without slipping or postholing. Traction would have been appreciated but certainly not necessary. Plenty of new snow in the basin but didn't bother putting on snowshoes on the descent despite postholing about 15 times. Rapid melt off occuring I'll bet this route looks dramatically different in the coming week. Cinnamon pass is free of snow with a few puddles here and there. Didn't feel comfortable taking my Forester across the stream to the upper TH as the drop into the stream appears incredibly steep. I did see another 4wd at the upper TH. Please feel free to ask any questions it would be my pleasure to help out!