Huron Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/22/2017, By: Hucksley
Info: Basically verbatim from the previous report. Microspikes are essential, but not much else. I take trekking poles wherever I go at this point but partner certainly didn't need them. Trail is in great condition, very easy to follow and very straightforward. Gaiters probably not needed just yet, you wouldn't benefit from bringing snowshoes just yet. Trailhead approach was iced over at the first "difficulty," couldn't make it with an AWD Lexus RX330, but added mileage is completely manageable. For those looking for more info on the Three Apostles (our original plan), DON'T ATTEMPT. Looks really sketchy at the moment, plenty of crappy snow/ice, just not worth it this early in the season. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/23/2017, By: alyannkar
Info: I parked at the first set of campsites past the 2wd pulloff. I tried to go further, but the road was a thick sheet of ice. Walking up the road, there were several other similar areas that were thick sheets of ice. A truck made it up partway and, when I was walking down, I saw the truck had already left and even with the afternoon heat/weight of the truck, the ice was still as solid and not broken through, even on the small creek crossing.

The trail was mostly covered in 2-5 inches of snow. I agree with previous post that at least 90% was snow covered. I did not use spikes until reaching about 13,000 feet. I kept them on until about the same place on the descent. No gaiters were necessary. I also had poles and did not use them. On the way down, maybe 10% of the snow below treeline was melting. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/22/2017, By: nomad_games
Info: road to trailhead from 390 has some ice, snow, and very deep slush pits. 4x4 advised.

Trail: snow on 90% of the trail, most of it is a couple inches or less, with a few drifts, mostly above tree line.. Microspikes necessary, trekking poles and gaiters recommended. I used all three from start to finish. Trail is pretty easy to follow despite snow, except in a few places above treeline where previous footsteps leave trail a few times, and trail is hard to make out. very windy and very cold once you turn right up towards Huron and away from Browns. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/15/2017, By: claytid
Info: Pretty dry below treeline-a few icy spots but easy to maneuver. Wore my spikes above 12k as there was lots of windblown snow on the trail. Never more than ~5" to plunge into on trail. Beautiful fall conditions and very hikeable until the next snowfall. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/2/2017, By: ScottinCO
Info: Dusting of snow started at 11,100' and by the basin snow was 5-8". The upper elevations had 8-12" with drifts 12"+ of powder, with the wind it was wintry conditions. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/1/2017, By: ahoward14
Info: Great late-season hike! The road to the TH is definitely high-clearance, including one hole about a half-mile shy of the TH that was probably 5 feet across and 2.5 feet deep.

First 1/3 of the trail was mostly clear, but a little muddy, through the trees, but the light dusting started to make the switchbacks a little hard to find sometimes. Once above treeline, the trail is really clear up to the ridge, but snow was getting a little deep (6-8 inches), and microspikes would certainly be helpful, but not required. Once along the ridge, there is no easily identifiable trail to follow, but the summit is in sight the whole time, and it's pretty easy to get there. No postholing yet. Summit was pretty clear, a little windy, but not bad! GREAT views of the apostles from up top. 2.5hr up, 1.5hr down. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/25/2017, By: PBitting
Info: Started from the upper trailhead around 7am, snow on the ground everywhere above treeline on the ascent (snow had melted up 500-1,000' from treeline by the end of the day). Carried microspikes but never put them on, unconsolidated snow was easy to deal with, not much ice. Up to 4-5" of snow on the summit, starting to feel like winter out there when the breeze picks up. Reached the summit around 9:45, back to the car by noon. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/25/2017, By: benlen
Info: 4WD road still passable, saw many Subaru Forresters and Crosstreks at trailhead.

Snow is on the peak––not a ton, but more concerning is the ice we encountered. Microspikes are recommended. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/19/2017, By: vanessamoyle
Info: Light dusting of snow that will not stick. 

Route: North Ridge from Lulu Gulch
Posted On: 9/16/2017, By: Owen Puffenberger
Info: Took the switchbacks over Middle Mtn option. Contrary to what the description says, there is room for one or two cars to park where the Lulu gulch road splits off. The road is easy to follow all the way to the end, even if most of the switchbacks above tree line have eroded down to narrow, somewhat exposed footpaths. There is an easy trail around Middle Mtn's summit, but after that you're on your own. It's pretty easy to cross the upper basin and make up to the summit of Brown's, but the traverse to Huron from there is not to be taken lightly. If you stay below the ridgeline, you'll be traversing across a steep, exposed boulderfield. It is solid as the description states, but put a foot wrong and you could easily snap an ankle or worse (today's snow didn't help). After joining the conga line to the summit (and it was especially crowded today) the snow made the trail pretty slick in spots, but if it's not melted out by this posting it will be soon. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/29/2017, By: DenverJaguar
Info: The 4WD trail really does need at least AWD, but you can make it with adequate ground clearance. Just take it slow and have at least 8 inches of clearance and you'll be fine. It's worth it to cut out a few miles of hiking, and there are great spots to camp with fire rings and plenty of space near the trailhead. On the day we hiked, it drizzled a bit during the night and the trail below treeline was slightly damp, but it was bone dry after treeline all the way to the top. Overall the trail was in great condition and the weather was perfect, allowing for short sleeves and shorts at the summit for 30-45 minutes before we headed down around 12:30. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/21/2017, By: jordanthebuff
Info: The last couple miles of road are not in good condition, but we managed alright with a Nissan Rogue. 4WD isn't totally necessary, but high clearance absolutely is. You can figure ~90 minutes from Leadville to the trailhead, given the current road status. Our group summited around 1 pm and it snowed/hailed on us on the way down for maybe 15 minutes, but that didn't affect the hiking conditions much. The trail was easy to follow. It's dirt the entire way until about 13,500 ft. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/21/2017, By: jagorzynski
Info: 2013 Subaru Outback made it to the upper trail-head with no issues. There were two spots on the 4x4 section where I had to pause and plan my attack, but nothing crazy. Coming down the 4x4 road I did scrape my undercarriage once, but it was avoidable. LOTs of camping on the drive up. Trail is awesome and great for dogs. Took me 3 hours to get to the trail-head from Denver. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/13/2017, By: vmunson
Info: Be aware that the 4WD to the trailhead.. they mean 4WD, like, wranglers and subarus ONLY. Otherwise expect to add some time to your hike. We started at the top trailhead started at 8am and summitted around noon.. two pups and three humans (one 53 y/o first timer.. killed it!). It was a suuuuuper easy trail to follow, never once questioned which way I was supposed to go, and no exposure at all. When we were coming down the storms were rolling in, and some people were still attempting to head up... it ended up hailing on us for just the last minute before we got to our car. So many people on the trail having to turn around... wake up early and be aware of afternoon storms everyone! Awesome 14er, with great views. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/7/2017, By: wyyld
Info: Beautiful day on Huron. Trail is well defined and easy to follow. Would almost debate this to be a class 1 hike. Boulder field near the top that is a breeze to navigate through. Superb views past tree line and at the summit.