Handies Peak

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. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/1/2023, By: colekics
Info: I did Sunshine/Redcloud before this today, so I had a delayed start. Started from grizzly gulch TH at 11:30 AM and summited by 1:30. The final mile is very steep and with lingering snow above 13k it is difficult to find the route at some points. I straightlined many sections through the snow but ended up slipping a lot because of how unsupportive it was. I was able to make it with a single pole and trail runners. I'd recommend starting earlier while the snow is still hard if you have the option though. 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/2/2023, By: infinitealpine
Info: Spring conditions. Lots of snowfields to cross from the TH to the saddle. I started around 1230pm after doing Wetterhorn that morning and another hiker said they did a lot of postholing but I think the amount of traffic worked in my favor because all the steps were supportive enough to not sink. Some sections were completely firm. One stream crossing were I got a little wet but not enough for to make me regret wearing trail runners. There was a snow gully we took that avoided the trail below Sloan lake. Only postholed once on the way down. Spikes may be helpful but doable without. 

Route: Grouse Gulch
Posted On: 6/29/2023, By: syrupgravy
Info: Giving an update for those coming from the Silverton side via Grouse Gulch. The gulch up to the pass was nearly all snow free with only one larger snowfield. From the pass to intersection with standard route is almost all snow (lots). Slick in the morning across the basin but time it right and youll have nice steps to kick back up to the pass. We put in a decent boot pack for you :) P.S. stick with the standard route and dont go too high in the basin next to Sloan Lake. Dont follow steps up there - its much steeper than the lower section of snow to the actual trail looks. 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/30/2023, By: ssowalskie
Info: Definitely still spring conditions, there is quite a bit of snow on the route in the basin until you get up to the summit ridge. The lower trail is quite hard to find in the snow, I'd recommend having a GPS/AllTrails map downloaded. Don't do what I did and start at 4pm, it's a recipe for unpredictable postholing and a generally unpleasant time. On the way down, I ended up shortcutting straight down a snowfield on the southwest side of the mountain instead of taking the route over to Sloan Lake. I finished just under 5.5 miles and just over 3 hours car to car (from the 4WD trailhead). 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/28/2023, By: dakotasmama
Info: Road to the upper TH is clear (I walked 1.5 miles to it from as close as I could get with my Subaru). Trail is still about 1/2 covered with snow but if youre not up too late in the day you wont posthole that much coming down. The snowpack and my spikes/poles actually allowed me to cut several sections off of my route going up because I didnt have to worry about crushing anything off trail. LOTS of opportunities for glissading on the way down - overall this was the most fun Ive ever had hiking a 14er, I felt like I was playing in the snow all day. If you dont have a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle, there is quite a bit of traffic on Cinnamon Pass and you could probably catch a ride up and back to wherever you feel comfortable parking as long as you start and finish early in the day. Have fun and be safe! 

Route: Southwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/19/2023, By: Thevirtualsherpa
Info: Can't get to upper TH due to 1/2 snow drifts that should melt in a week or two. From upper TH to summit, basically continuous snow that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Many people seemed to not follow standard trail (maybe due to post holing or just following the "leader". Basically this just goes directly to Sloan Lake and cuts across higher than the summer trail does. Although it was fine on this day, there is a ton of avi debri and I saw multiple small rocks come whizzing down so just keep your head on a swivel if traveling later in the day. From saddle to summit, drifts of snow that will likely be gone soon. Used trail runners and nothing else but spikes/poles could be helpful. So many awesome lines off American still - regardless of travel choice get off snow by like 930/10 at the latest unless you really enjoy postholing.