Redcloud Peak

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/19/2022, By: fmv093042
Info: Similar to previous conditions report! There is still a snowy section that you need to cross. However, it appears to be melting quickly (leading to muddy conditions around the snow). Post-holing to knee deep was basically every step in the snow. But it only lasts about 50ft. So didn't hinder my trip much! I don't think flotation is worth the hassle given the short distance of the snow. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/16/2022, By: joshgrundy
Info: Road to the trailhead is dry and in good condition. Should be fine for any vehicle with just a little bit of clearance. Much of the route to Sunshine/Redcloud is dry, but there are a few snowfields in the 12,500-13,000k area. As of 05/16, you have to pass through them, and they are extremely soft and slushy and up to waist deep. Not dangerous from a falling standpoint, spikes wouldn't help. They're melting fast though. Otherwise, again, the route is mostly dry. Essentially all snow above 13,300 is avoidable, including on the traverse. 

Route: East ridge from sunshine
Posted On: 2/19/2022, By: jbealer
Info: Letsgomets gave you a great update on sunshine, we went on to redcould where we were blasted with high winds(not in forcast) the whole time. Trail was in great condition, i used spikes, friend used crampons. We kept ridge proper off sunshine to avoid the slopes and then met up with the redcloud trail. On return we took the bypass and did not resubmit sunshine. The lower slope out of the trees did give us some avy concern, whooping sounds on the way up, wend direct up slope, on return we hugged the ridge till we hit the trees and followed them around to our lower tracks, still had unsupervised snow. Take warning, also know fresh snow is coming this week so all reports will be void. Glad to get these 2 done! 

Route: Mill Creek
Posted On: 1/24/2022, By: angry
Info: Summited Sunshine & Redcloud. Did not use traction/flotation. Snowmelt on descent made dry sections below treeline a slick, muddy mess. 

Route: Traverse from Sunshine and back to Sunshine
Posted On: 10/19/2021, By: longlevi823
Info: In a party of 3 (including self) we had a successful summit on 10/17 to Redcloud by traversing from Sunshine (see East Ridge report on Sunshine). The ridge had a good amount of snow. The majority of it being on Sunshine. I would recommend gators or you will get snow in your boots, and since winter is coming up there probably won't be much less snow than this for a while. A good amount of postholing took place descending Sunshine on the way to Redcloud. Once you're at the 13,841 peak there isn't too much snow left on the way to Redcloud. Good views on top of Redcloud. Coming back we didn't want to get the summit of Sunshine again so we scooted around on the left to regain the trail back down the East Ridge. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 10/17/2021, By: winter_wisher
Info: Snow is 3"-4" starting at the trailhead. After the creek, and ascending the basin, the snow becomes much deeper: consistently 6"-12", with occasional knee- to waist-deep accumulations. Route finding on the ridge above the basin is more straightforward, and the snow resumes its relatively shallow 6"-12". Similar snow depths cover the saddle leading to Sunshine Peak. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 9/25/2021, By: lkjustplay
Info: CCW Sunshine and Redcloud route. Got to TH at 9a. Took the NW Face route to Sunshine and tagged Redcloud coming down the standard route. Coming up the creek beware of fallen timber and keep your eye out for the path. If you lose the path, ascend to the left of the stream and continue paralleling the stream towards the tree line in front of you, you'll find the correct path that begins to go into the tree line and pass the abandon hut. Gully is definitely a class 3 section, albeit short, it's steep. Wouldn't recommend descending this section. All sections were clear and bluebird conditions for the day. Descending Redcloud is easier to find the wide, long, switchback along the talus field. Looking back up, you can see how difficult finding the path ascending must be. 2 hikers and 6 year old husky (plenty of water along both routes for dogs). ~9 hours and ~10.5 miles. . 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/9/2021, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Take note of the 8/7 report and what trail/route to follow going up Redcloud. Lots of social paths going down too - that part of the mountain is incredibly eroded so take care to follow the path. All free and clear up to the summit. In the dark the trail along the creek (photo 2, 11,600'ish) takes a little more attention but otherwise easy going. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/8/2021, By: seoulman
Info: There's a derelict sign that probably would point hikers to the right in this photo. Not knowing any better we bore to the left on the the ridge line on the ascent and encountered a fair bit of loose rock. Near the false summit as you descend you'll see a sign advising you to take the path to the hikers left, thus avoiding this not so nice bit. We were much more comfortable on proper but slightly longer trail. Of all the peaks I've done this one had the best butterflies...and a huge shout out to the gentleman who summited on crutches! 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/13/2021, By: Kook-Meister-Flex
Info: Trail was completely dry (Don't think I even need to say that anymore). Full summer conditions, and the wild flowers were out in full force! Saw a couple I had never seen before (Including a purple paintbrush which I was blown away by). Lucky I had flowers to stare at because the smoke was terrible. I didn't have a lot of great views. I couldn't see wetterhorn/uncompahgre at points. But was a good day none the less. Going up the face of the false Summit is easy to follow, but coming down is not as easy and can lead you into some slick sections. Other than that the trail is very easy to follow. Hopefully the rain this weak will help out and put a hold on some of these fires. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/7/2021, By: ltlFish99
Info: I hiked redcloud this morning from the grizzly gulch/ silver creek trailhead. There was more water and mud on the trail than I expected and evidence in the area of a lot of recent rain. It was quite windy today, and the smoke was thick. Smoke ruined the views from the summit. Still a very pleasant day in a place I have never been. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/21/2021, By: princessproton
Info: Trail is in fantastic condition. No traction needed, very small snowfields that are easy to walk through with trail runners or walk around. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/15/2021, By: Johndo
Info: My group climbed to Redcloud Peak and the they went over to Sunshine Peak. Conditions were very good. There were about 4 little snow patches that we encountered and one that we simply went around. It was surprisingly good conditions considering how much trouble we had at Handies on Sunday. It was sunny and breezy. The breeze felt so good! 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/10/2021, By: Real_Ginja_Ninja
Info: Mostly summer conditions. On the way up to the saddle, there is a snow field that we could walk on top during the morning, but found ourselves post holing on the way down. There's another small snow field on the final summit push, but we were able to stay on top. No spikes needed, but we had them. Not sure floatation is worth it to bring. We wanted to go over to sunshine, but did not want to get caught in post holing on the snow over there (picture included). We might have been able to make it, but better safe than sorry. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2021, By: hellmanm
Info: Last CR outlines most. Route in the basin is becoming easier to follow due to previous tracks. Flotation wouldn't really be worth bringing right now, but I could see gaiters being useful. I went up 13,832' and 13,811', but I attached a pic of what the upper route looks like right now from across the ridge. Other pic is looking down from the saddle into the basin.