Redcloud Peak

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/4/2019, By: WildWanderer
Info: From about a mile in until you make it to the basin is solid ice over the creek, mixed with avy debris. The ice is several feet thick. I didn't need traction on my way in at 3am or out at 9am, although it was warming up and may be necessary in the afternoon. I didn't summit Redcloud today (I was hiking the 13ers in the area) but got a picture of the final route from the saddle. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/3/2019, By: Tacocat Climbing
Info: Went up standard route, then down the 'shortcut'.

Not much snow left on the standard route. It is perfectly doable in just trail-runners (which is what I used). I had microspikes with me, but never used them on the ascent. Going up you walk atop a lot of avalanche snow, very packed, and icy in the morning. The trail kinda splits when starting to go up the steep bit. Stay to the left and near the ridge. Great views from the top. Heading down the west side of Sunshine is simple enough, there is a well defined trail, but you will encounter some more snow on the way down (not enough for snowshoes) as well as having to climb over a little bit of debris at the intersection.

A wonderful hike, great weather, great views!

Video of the hike: https://youtu.be/XRILVBnTB60 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/2/2019, By: toxqan
Info: The trail is 80% covered in snow from about 11.2k to 12.8k. A lot of the snow along Silver Creek is compacted by avalanches and was easy to walk on with microspikes. There were also several debris fields of downed trees that had to be negotiated, although nothing too sustained. I brought an axe but don't think its absolutely necessary. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/3/2019, By: longtrail12
Info: BLM cleared avalanche debris below treeline, so clear walking through that. 3 snow headwalls to navigate, but as stated not complex. once in the basin below the ridge the trail is mostly covered in snow but the path is clear and direct. no aides, spikes, etc required. in the afternoon the snow softens for a few nice glissades. up to the ridge and thereafter the switchbacks are mostly covered so a social trail is developing on loose rock/dirt. It is fine, but steep. There is one 35' section of snow to travel between the false summit and the final 150' to Redcloud, no aides/ice axes required, but be careful not to stray towards the cornice. the path over to Sunshine is clear, except for a section just above the saddle, where you travel 150' or so on snow. Again no issue, but an ice axe would provide comfort.

Do not suggest attempting the coulair below the saddle between Sunshine and Redcloud. It is a mixture of steep snow and loose rock, ending at one of the snow dams/bridges.

Great long day 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 11/15/2018, By: Squirrellysquirrel
Info: Hike was awkward, yet filled with breathtaking majesty; worth the effort, and now that there's a broken trail... well... it's an easier bag for those so inclined. Snowy, winter conditions with varied technical equipment, each seemed suited to another scene and was necessary to change from one to the other for motility. Snow from the start: microspikes, gaiters, and poles to traverse 6in-1ft of snow. When the trail kissed the stream at 11.6K, switched to snowshoes, and even with such, I was still sinking 1-2ft into snow due to ultra-powdery conditions with an upper crust of 1-2 inches of snow. This lasted to the basin and saddle, where snow depth gradually became *uber awkward* (waist deep post holing without snow shoes); there was no sign of a trail here. At the saddle, the initial trek was best with boots/microspikes, then when I reached the sign that showed where the trail jogged significantly to the right (as pictured in photo #8, 14ers) I took it, yet encountered sketchy terrain (see distal shot of final ascent with mini avy slides, my photo #5). Personally, I think going directly up at this juncture with crampons/ice axe makes the most sense; I ended up zagging back to the the ridge line over the rocky bits to join the said juncture for a more direct route; ice axe and crampons worked wonderfully for the snow was rock hard and microspikes provided no traction. Pecked my way up, zig-zagged when the trail was spotted, which was often undefined. The ascent took way longer than expected; I only got to 1/2 a mile of the summit because my watch indicated that I was at my turn around point. I'm glad that I did because I noticed that within the tree line area I encountered 3inch-ish cat prints trailing my own from my morning ascent... not my favorite thing to see when hiking solo just before dusk. Suggest hiking with others, carrying spray or packing firearm potential. Numerous other animal prints, elk and bear most notably; hunting season open thru Sunday, wearing bright colors is indicated, too. Roads are slow going, but accessible with AWD/4x4. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/13/2018, By: LetsGoMets
Info: Combined Redcloud and Sunshine with PT's 13832 and 13811. Normal route up Redcloud dry and easy to follow. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/22/2018, By: Flyingfish
Info: Route is dry all the way to the top. Some snow off route but nothing that gets in the way. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/13/2018, By: blantow
Info: Redcloud and Sunshine via the standard route are completely dry in full summer conditions. It shocking and frightening how dry it is up there actually. Happy climbing. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/3/2018, By: bethyhewes
Info: Beautiful day on Redcloud and Sunshine with essentially summer conditions. Little ice on the trail early in the am- easily avoidable and melted on the descent. Couple small snow patches also easily avoidable. Carried gaiters and traction- didn't use either. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/31/2018, By: halite
Info: All snowfields avoidable from what little is left. The marmots in the basin were quite photogenic. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/29/2018, By: MntMiranda
Info: Overall great hike, windy, but worth it. Although, when we got there to set up camp, the park ranger immateriality came up to us and told us that the ticks were real bad in the area. According to the ranger, hikers were coming back with 20 to 30 ticks on them. My boyfriend, dog and I didn't come out with any ticks thankfully but I still want to pass the word on so everyone may come prepared, including hiker's dogs, for such events. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/27/2018, By: tcphoto87
Info: About the same as previous reports. Road and TH is completely dry and the route only has a few small patches of snow, most are easily avoidable. On the switchbacks after the ridge there was one section that was a little iffy to me that we put spikes on but probably not necessary. Conditions seemed more like late July than late May. Started at the TH just after 7am and got back to the TH around 5ish. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/25/2018, By: jennincolorado
Info: About 10% of the mountain still has snow including the push to the false summit - about 25 feet or so. There are deep snow steps made. Two people turned around due to not having spikes but my boyfriend easily navigated it without any traction. The trail on saddle between false summit and summit is totally dry. About 5 or so snow fields below 13500 that can be walked through or navigated around if you prefer. Melting quickly. TO
NOTE: the trail is super crumbly and scree filled and the new trail segment is covered in snow so if you follow it you will absolutely lose the trail. People have been forming new trails to Just head straight up the mountain. Be careful and stay closer to the ridge. There are no cairns right now. 

Route: West Gullies via North Gully
Posted On: 5/5/2018, By: CheapCigarMan
Info: North Gully had perfect snow conditions. South Gully appeared to be just as good.
Virtually no snow from the TH until the Gullies turn off. Postholed a few times along the creek. Once on the Gully snow was excellent for climbing. Crampons definitely needed for the climb in the Gully. Especially towards the top. 

Route: via Sunshine
Posted On: 4/30/2018, By: amaccallum
Info: Most of the trail was free from snow, but ice axe and microspikes were helpful for some spots. See conditions report from Sunshine for more details...