Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2023-05-31, By: runningbuff Info: Nearly summer conditions. The deadfall starts about 2 miles in and continues sporadically for 2 miles, though I didnt find it terribly annoying. Took the direct route up to the ridge and the summer trail down. There is still a little snow on the summer trail, more of a nuisance on the lower section, but its passable. Only a couple small patches along the ridge with plenty of footsteps that make them easy to navigate. A little bit of postholing in the willows around 10:30am, but I think I got lucky with the cloudcover today. Started at 7:30, summit just before 10, back to the car at 11:30, 13 miles total. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2023-05-30, By: mjordan Info: We summited on 5/28. The road to the Trailhead is cleared from all the winter fallen trees, thank you whoever did this! The trail through the valley has a lot of fallen trees you have to navigate though. Definitely adds some time and annoyance to the hike but nothing too difficult. The first snow starts around 12k feet where you have to cross the creek right before you get into the willows. Solid snow for the ascent, we went steep and direct because the summer route was covered still. Only a couple snow fields after the saddle and they have tracks through them so they are easy to cross without spikes. If you are coming down through the willows after 10am expect to posthole. I would say 80% summer conditions as of this weekend. Snowshoes not needed, you will regret it if you bring them. Spikes not even needed. A couple more weeks and most of the snow crossing should be gone and the summer route fully in. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2023-05-28, By: hikesalpinemeadows Info: Basically summer conditions up untill tree line. Lots of fallen trees across the trail, so be prepared for some tree scrambling until they get removed. Patches of snow from treeline to the summit, the largest of which is when you ascend out of the valley to the ridge. Didn't use snowshoes, although the snow was getting soft enough to posthole in places by 10 or 11am. Microspikes were nice for climbing the big snowfield to gain the ridge, and otherwise not needed. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2023-05-28, By: XterraRob Info: Route: There seems to be a slight change to the route posted on here. You now do not need to cross Stewart Creek and back again, the trail stays to the north side below treeline. Where you would originally cross, the trail veers right. 30-45 (understatement) deadfall trees are down across the trail below treeline, making it a bit of a timesink. If you have a chainsaw and are motivated, you'll have your work cut out for you. No snow until you hit the willows above treeline, where you will encounter 20-30ft snowfields here and there. Lots of postholing in the willows. As you leave the willows and head for the saddle, there is a good snowfield that stretches almost the entire ascent. Great in the morning for the climb (microspikes would help but I didn't need them), good for glissading in the afternoon! Above the saddle, San Luis's ridge looks caked with snow but the trail only cuts through a few sections of it. Once you swing around the westish side of the ridge, it's 90% bare to the summit. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2023-04-28, By: Kya Cav Info: Probably not worth the effort to attempt a ski descent. We were able to ski the Yawner Gullies but conditions are thin. Good coverage off the summit for first 100-200 vertical feet. Then very thin snow cover over rock. Old snow in the western gullies provided safer skiing. Easy skinning and good snow cover up the the SE Ridge and approach from West Willow Creek. |
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Route: SS Point Fest Posted On: 2022-12-28, By: Skimo95 Info: Put in a trench on/around the ridge. Long day around 19.8mi 7,300'. One minor avalanche was seen near the route, along with 8 moose. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2022-10-13, By: Mel Kel Info: Some small snow patches starting around 13,200. Very manageable, no consequence; no traction/flotation needed; can avoid if you need. Suitable for trail runners. Mileage from the upper trailhead is closer to RT 13miles, and ~3850' of elevation. Additionally, be aware of the road closure on highway 50 if traveling from Montrose>Gunnison; the road closes almost nightly and added a level of "memorable-ness" to our outing |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-10-05, By: jlbennett Info: Snow started on the trail at 12,000, increasing to 4-6 inches at 12,500. With drifts of 8-12 inches as you approach the summit. Not icy yet, micro spikes not needed, but probably best to carry them as people are going straight up at the summit.the snow is not melting, so I expect it to remain. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-09-24, By: Molasses Info: Any recent snows have all melted. There's no snow or ice on the trail. The Aspens have started turning color... about half way to peak color. And CFI is doing some work on the trail, but it doesn't interfere with hikers using the trail... just let them know you're hiking through. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-09-09, By: cougar Info: Route is clear and in good shape, although the Stewart Creek trail has some overgrown grassy sections, not as easy to follow in low light. Willows starting to change color. Seemed longer than route description based on my GPS. Road to trailhead is fine, creek crossings not an issue (had AWD), but go slow to avoid bumping on the concrete ribs. I decided to take the turn for Cochetopa Pass on the way out, on NN14 going east, since the sign said 9 miles to the pass (thought it was 9 to hwy 114 vs the 7 miles posted if you turn left on GG15), but is actually much longer, although a good dirt road, so stick with the standard driving approach, don't know if I saved any mileage but didn't seem like it. The mileage signs on the eastbound NN14 are pretty inconsistent and all over the place. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2022-09-01, By: mtgoatmike Info: Trail is in great condition. Plenty of flowing creeks along the way. The ridge leading to the summit is deceptive, a few false summits. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-08-15, By: AndyFromDenver Info: One of the easiest, most pleasant hikes I've done. We were going to try the South Ridge after doing Handies, Redcloud and Sunshine the two days before, but after chatting with some folks, this seemed like a better option to get my Crosstrek to the trailhead. They were right about that--the road is very good all the way to the trailhead, even though it's 28 miles of dirt and gravel roads. They're very well maintained with two creek crossings that were no issue at all. The trail is so gentle the whole way, just one section from about 12,300 to 13,000 where you gain elevation quickly. Route finding is no issue at all, although with all the rain, the grasses are quite tall and a bit overgrown. That can make it a bit tough to see where to go in the dark, but there are no other trails, so you'll find it quickly again if you somehow lose the trail. It also parallels the creek up to around 12,300. We did not see any moose on the way up, although saw a few deer in the dark with their yellowish/white eyes staring at us. We tried to keep talking and even played a little bit of music (at another hiker's suggestion) so as not to startle the moose if we did find them in the dark. We did, however, see the moose family on the descent exactly 2.5 miles from the trailhead. There are a bunch of ponds between 2 and 2.5 miles and it seems, based on previous reports here and talking with some people on Redcloud/Sunshines/Handies who had recently done this, that they had all seen them here too. We had no issues, though, as they were on the other side of the creek and walking down to the ponds. This is one of my favorites. It's very remote and doesn't have many people on the trail. Aside from all the beetle kill, it's a gorgeous hike. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2022-08-12, By: vgriffith Info: Trail is in excellent condition. Creeks are running wider than usual but still fairly easy to cross without getting wet. The road to the upper trail head has a few deep potholes that need to be navigated properly and in 4WD. Saw lots of deer and pika on the way to the summit but no other human beings until returning to the TH. Hike with 15 y.o. son - his first 14er (or really any long hike) and he loved it. Also noted that Apple Watch said distance was around 12.1; AllTrails has distance at 11.2. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-08-03, By: ballardwf04 Info: Hiked SL today. At the time of our visit, it was wet and there was no fire ban in place, so we were able to cook a fireside meal which was nice. Left at 430 and saw several moose on trail around 600, summited approximately 900 and down by 1230. Total distance was just over 14mi. Mama and two calves were blocking the trail about 3 miles in, so we had to loop far around to avoid an angry moose mother with a CT thru-hiker we met named Zeus. Something to watch out for in the dawn hours. Otherwise, uneventful hike. Very scenic and uncrowded in the basin. There were also almost exclusively thru-hikers on the trail because of its proximity (.25 miles or so) from the CT/CDT. Definitely worth doing as a scenic and crowd-free 14er. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-08-11, By: geo_andrews Info: Great hike. Saw some deer and a moose on the south side of the basin about 2 miles into the hike. Started the hike at 6:45 am and got back to the car around 1:30 pm. Wish we would have started around 6:00 am to avoid the afternoon showers on the way down, although it didn't rain much on us at all. Cool thing to note. I climb with my wife and father. It was my father's first 14er at 60 years old and he killed it. First 14er for my wife in 3 years. It was awesome seeing her summit a peak again. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-07-18, By: okstir91 Info: Excellent hiking conditions. Surprisingly very little wind and very warm, even on the peak. Weather conditions should remain consistent for the next week. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2022-07-06, By: kyaera Info: Excellent conditions, slightly muddy due to the recent rains. Creek crossings not a problem. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-07-04, By: Btuperkwh Info: Wet trail for most of day due to rain. Gets really muddy in the willows where you cross the valley to get to the ridge. Flowers are still in bloom and line the trail. |
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Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 2022-06-18, By: TheSpaceForce Info: 6/17/22: Clear of snow, dry, and very dusty. Now is a great time to hike this trail if you like Colorado flowers. The trail is full of them, especially from 12k to the summit. |
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Route: South Ridge Posted On: 2022-06-16, By: HikesInGeologicTime Info: It would be a lie to say that this route is snow-free. It would also be a lie to say that said snow posed any sort of threat of all, much less one that would necessitate taking any gear you weren't planning to pack anyway. Could smell a little smoke up on the ridge, when the winds were blowing most fiercely (surely no coincidence), but didn't strike me as being anywhere near as bad as the Sangres looked when I was driving north. Beautiful route - fantastic scenery as soon as you join the Continental Divide Trail! |