5/5/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 5/5/2012, By: wtrimble Info: Fourmile Creek Road is open and clear of snow all the way to the gate at 12,000 ft and the gate is open and several vehicles drove a little further (less then a 1/4 mile) up until the road was partially covered by a snow field. I expect the road to be completely open to Hilltop mine within two weeks. I had hopes of ascending the South Slopes snow route, but that route has less than 20% snow cover. I ended up using the standard route which was mostly clear of snow. From Hilltop Mine the trail is partially covered by snow up to the Sheridan/Sherman saddle at 13,100 ft. Avoid avalanche risk by ascending the western side of the snowfield by the rocks. There is a 200ft cornice hazard on the midsection of the snowfield. There are tracks where people have been glissading down from the ridge on the far eastern side of the snow field. From the saddle the southwest ridge is free of most of the snow until the final broad ridge to the true summit, where there is a very consolidated snow pack with very minimal to no exposure. I didn‘t use my micro spikes and I only used my ice ax for the glissade. I would recommend trekking poles for added stability on the snowfields. The north ridge of Sherman (to Gemini Peak) has some wind slab issues, but nothing too hazardous. Photo 1: snowfield from Hilltop Mine to the saddle Photo 2: from the summit looking back at the snow packed ridge Photo 3: Sherman/Gimini/Dryer from the south (Sheridan summit) Photo 4: Glissade point off of east side of Sheridan |
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4/22/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 4/23/2012, By: atbaritone Info: Co Rd 18 gets muddy and rutted near the approach to the gate closure at 12,000 feet, so I recommend passenger cars park a bit lower. Patches of snow on the lower part of the route give way to a good big snow field just below the 13,150 foot ridge. This snow field has no post holing and can be traversed in boots (no spikes needed, though helpful). From the saddle to the top snow on the trail in spots, again no spikes needed. Go hike it now before the melting of the snow takes away the fun glissade off the ridge! |
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4/21/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 4/21/2012, By: comoky Info: The access road was clear all the way to the gate and even a little beyond. Snow wasn't really a concern. There were some snowfields but they were passable without snowshoes. |
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4/21/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 4/22/2012, By: wincoder Info: Parked about 1/2 mile from the actual TH due to snow on the access road. Another week and it might be all gone. I was lucky enough to be third person on the trail so didn‘t have to break trail trough the snow. Snowy all the way up to the saddle between Sherman and Sheridan. Very windy. Temp below freezing but nice and sunny. The upper part (13,000 to peak) is mostly snow free. A fair amount of snow on top - enough for me to dig out a small hole to sit in out of the wind. I wore micro-spikes all the way (too lazy to remove them on upper section). Most others I saw were just in boots. A couple of spots to glissade down (always a plus). |
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4/11/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 4/11/2012, By: brfirestone Info: Today was a great day for a hike! Mt Sherman was warm (40's-50's) and the trail was pretty easy to access, even with the snow fields. I switched to my Garmond snow boots half way, worked well for traction. No snowshoes or microspikes needed. It rained, then snowed at around 3pm, so not sure how much accumulation, but with the temps we have been having, Im sure it will melt quickly. I was able to drive past the gate (12miles from 285), almost to the first mining building until the road was fully covered with snow. I was able to get to the summit in 1.20hrs and back down in an hour. Trying to beat that storm :)! |
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4/10/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 4/11/2012, By: Mtn Izz Info: Road conditions were great as we made it to the gate closure at approximately 12,000 ft. I was able to post a full report under TR and this should be of help with anyone heading up soon. I‘d imagine that conditions are only going to get better (dryer) so that means clearer trail markings, etc. |
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3/31/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 3/31/2012, By: BigfootUSAF Info: Depending on your vehicle, you can get up past the winter closure area. In a sedan we made it a bit past the plowed bit, which turning into a 10 mi RT for Sherman which we did in 6 hrs. The road has a few drifts to walk on, but snowshoes or microspikes are not needed. There is a snow field to travel up as you make your way up to the saddle. I found my microspikes very helpful for that snow field and a small portion of the summit pitch along the ridgeline. You could porbably do fine without microspikes, but I found the extra traction helpful, especially on my descent. |
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3/25/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 3/25/2012, By: Tony1 Info: The road starts out very snowy (no snowshoes needed - just walk on it) but the snow slowly disappears as you gain elevation. Past the 12,000' gate the trail is pretty dry for a while, and then you will cross a couple snowfields while making your way up to the saddle. The last hundred feet or so to the saddle is a free-for-all since the east wall of the saddle has hung onto its snow (was safe today, but always be careful). The northern part of the saddle has somewhat of a cornice. The ridge is all dry until you get close to the summit. I wore spikes for a total of about 10 minutes on Sherman while ascending the snow to the saddle, but they could have been helpful on any of the snowy areas. In the afternoon, the road will have soft snow and will be muddy as well. If you really want to, you can take snowshoes with you but the post-holing isn't that bad. I never sunk in much farther than my ankles, just follow the bootpack and watch your step. :) Here‘s a picture of Sherman from Sheridan today (3/25): |
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3/14/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 3/14/2012, By: bhollamby Info: Was able to get up to the "normal winter closure near 11,100" before having to park it. I was in 4x4 truck and could have probably pushed though a bit farther but not enough more to risks getting stuck and having to dig. There was a few spots (I think 4), on the road, where drifts were but had already been punched though--this being said I do believe that a car or other non-4x4 could make it to the 11,100' mark. I didn't have snowshoes nor would I have wanted them. There was a few places (a 100-200 yard strip here and there) that one could have worn them but for the most part they would have been a waste. Skiing and boarding are defiantly a no go in my opinion. I had a set of MICROspikes with me and again would only wear them for a few yards here and there. When I did wear the spikes, they were helpful and I would recommend taking them along. |
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2/4/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 2/5/2012, By: Jay521 Info: Good winter conditions on the mountain. You need snowshoes once off the road on the normal winter route. No real avy danger anywhere on the route. Looks like some decent ski conditions. |
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1/29/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 1/29/2012, By: Medic-5150 Info: the standard route appears to be at high risk for avalanches. The ridge is not safe to pass. You can scale the south east face of Sherman but it‘s quite steep, has some snow on it and is covered in loose rock. Another couple made it too the peak on the snow route, snow shoes were mandatory for them and highly suggested for the standard route. The road in is shut down approximately 3 miles below the gate and makes for a heck of a walk. The first mile or so is in 8" of powder. It is doable but is a good 14 mile jaunt. Expect it to take all day! |
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1/10/2012 Route: Four Mile Creek Posted On: 1/11/2012, By: BostonBD Info: Parked at the winter trailhead parking area at about 11,000 feet. One vehicle went up to the the gate at the summer trailhead last weekend but, still is restricted to high clearance 4wd only. Was the only one on the mountain 1/10. |
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1/3/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 1/4/2012, By: markf Info: Not really a winter ascent, except for what it said on the calendar. I was on bare ground for a large part of the walk, and never needed snowshoes. |
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1/1/2012 Route: picked out way on east/south face Posted On: 1/2/2012, By: Harry-4 Info: Like the previous report--we parked about, oh, half mile below Leavick site. Sunny day. Microspikes needed at times.. Road condition to parking was fine. Since we hadn‘t done the peak before, had a helluva time finding trail. Ended up criss crossing east face... windy for most of the way--except on top where it calmed down and gave us an opportunity to have some tea. Then decided to come down south-eastern ridge--which appeared to offer a gentler descent than the route-picking we did on the way up. As soon as we started descending--an incredible wind from the northwest starting battering us--the snowshoes tied to our packs acted as sails, and there were a few very dicey moments...yes, there were. on the ridge being scooted around by the wind my partner yells out--"don‘t think I can keep going this way!" Me, in my best "south-col-Everest" impression shouts out "We can‘t--we‘ve got to keep going!!" sigh. helluva day. |
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12/28/2011 Route: Var. East Slopes from 4mi Posted On: 12/28/2011, By: Monster5 Info: Sherman -> Gemini -> White Ridge. Not skiable. -Parked about 0.4 mi below Leavick (a hefty 4wd may be able to break through the drifted section). -Followed standard Fourmile approach up to about Hilltop Mine (no snowshoes or traction used). - Contoured right to White Ridge/Sherman saddle before gaining Sherman from the NE (avoided winds on summit ridge; a couple wind-loaded slopes but plenty of lines through - ice axe used to chop steps/test snow). -Descended NW to Gemini (no traction/snowshoes). -Contoured around Sherman and gained White Ridge (no snowshoes/traction needed). -Descended SE via rock band by Leavick site (still very low avy danger, snow to road was too powdery for snowshoes. No traction used). |
