Mt. Silverheels

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 3/5/2018, By: alyssacait23
Info: Overall the route is in good condition. We did not use snowshoes, but you might want them for the portion below treeline. Most of the trail is packed, but in some areas you will posthole up to your waist (we actually crawled through the snow to avoid sinking in these areas). You can stash your snowshoes just above treeline since the rouse is mostly wind-blown crust to the summit. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 12/3/2017, By: WillRobnett
Info: Ridge's are pretty much dry with a little hard pack in the start of the hike. Basin holding patching and mini coulior snow. Storm expected to add a new layer of snow tomorrow. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 11/16/2017, By: calenning
Info: It was a nice day fall conditions. Snow in the switchbacks up to the summit ridge helped keep the loose rocks together. Other than that, packed snow from Colorado 9 up to tree line then avoidable snow for the rest of the route. No traction needed. Just used a trekking pole on the way down from the summit. 

Route: E Ridge from CR 50
Posted On: 6/25/2017, By: habaceeba
Info: This should be the standard route. It was a great day with summer conditions. Snow can be completely avoided. Starts with a nice hike through the woods with 65% offtrail on the ridge. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 6/13/2017, By: Unknown
Info: The route has some patches of mushy snow left that are all avoidable, and there is nothing that requires microspikes or snowshoes. My day felt like a summer hike and the warmest layer I ever needed was a Smartwool midweight baselayer. Trekking poles are nice when coming down off the ridge for added stability. As far as this peak goes, it's pretty much summer hiking conditions. Don't forget your sunscreen this time of year! 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 6/9/2017, By: madadraw1
Info: Started at 7:30AM. Ended at 1:30PM. On the ascent I rarely touched snow. Leave flotation at home. Some unavoidable snow on Hoosier Ridge just before turning to the South, towards the summit. Much more firm that I would have expected and micro spikes were helpful for this short stretch. On the final stretch to the summit, I took the relatively easy talus all the way along the big gully. Gully is very much snow filled. Again, this was firmer than expected. Softening up by 10AM. But, still firm enough that I was able to glissade the entire gully non-stop. Minus the snow where mentioned, this felt close to a full on summer time hike. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 6/4/2017, By: awake
Info: Patches of snow throughout, but a lot of them are avoidable. Snow was definitely getting soft later in the morning. Snowshoes are helpful, but not mandatory. Starting earlier will make snow hiking easier. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 5/2/2017, By: screeman57
Info: Used snowshoes only to just above treeline. Much of the ridge is blown clear, though we booted through some deep drifts. The north spur held ice and snow-covered talus. A bit of a pain but manageable. We glissaded the long gully west of the spur. Low cloud cover and whiteout conditions most of the day - only became a serious problem finding the towers again on descent. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 4/15/2017, By: cardgenius
Info: Good solid snow in the morning. Tried to climb the gully next to the switchback trail but it isn't consolidated completely yet. Top 3-5" is solid but still powdery underneath. And it's easy to punch through that crust. Bailed and climbed up the standard trail. Probably needs another week or two before it's good. 

Route: Scott Gulch
Posted On: 2/1/2017, By: JoseDeMoor
Info: Snowy, windy, did not come across any Avy danger, overall a fun hike. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 11/25/2016, By: Trotter
Info: About 1-3 inches on entire mountain. Snow is powdery, and fairly slippery on the steep parts. Microspikes were helpful. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 8/28/2016, By: mspalding
Info: The steep climb up the side of Mt. Silverheels has lots of old snow. As you get further towards the top it becomes too hard to kick steps easily. Microspikes make a huge difference. Today another inch or two of new snow was added as we hiked. There is a new trail being built that may cut off a bit of climbing followed by elevation loss. You can find it by leaving the road at the double cairn about half way to the radio towers. It will get you to the edge of a bowl. If you then go around the outer part of the bowl you will save a lot of misery. Cutting across the bowl will repeatedly put you in chest deep willows and marshy soil. Go around to the low point on the other side, then head toward Silverheels. Also, don't ascend the really steep recommended part of Silverheels. If you take the buttress to the left it is a bit further, but a lot less steep. The current recommended trail works well too. Just don't be tempted to take shortcuts. The recommended route avoids a lot of loose rock. And again, at the point you climb the side of Silverheels, it is easier to go up the buttress to the left. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 7/11/2016, By: flyingmagpie
Info: Climbed Silverheels via the South Ridge route described by G & J Roach in "Colorado's Thirteeners." This is a fine route, and I am surprised that more people don't use it. Caveat: Beaver Creek is running full with spring runoff, lasting late this year. A capable 4wd, like my Jeep Wrangler, is necessary to reach the trailhead and ford the creek. I had no problems. Found the trailhead just fine, marked by two red plastic diamonds tacked onto the root of an upended stump in a wide meadow suitable for camping. My vehicle was the only one there. Route described by G&J is straightforward and easy to follow. There is no significant elevation loss to cross Beaver Creek, as there is on the other 2 routes described by G&J. That is why I think this route is better. Still long and tiring. I was the only one on the route and summit that I know of. Camped the night in the meadow, headed home the next day. A fine climb. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 6/13/2016, By: bunny256
Info: 99% free of snow, some marshy areas from rapid melt. 

Route: North Spur from Hoosier Pass
Posted On: 5/15/2016, By: Grover
Info: Skinned up from the gate at Hoosier Pass to the first bench on Hoosier Ridge. There were only a couple spots were I had to billygoat over grassy sections. If you are skiing or riding (heck, or even using snowshoes), I suggest leaving the ridge and heading straight towards Mt. Silverheels from this bench. The basin is filled with snow and you can save time by heading directly towards the power line tower in the basin (not the one on the North Spur ridge proper). I switched over to microspikes for the climb up the snow to gain the upper ridge on Mt. Silverheels. The ridge to the summit was dry, so you can walk up to the summit. The ride back down into the basin was soft and in great shape. The ride from the first bench back to the gate on CO 9 was also good, but when you get into the trees, keep your speed so you can make it all the way out.