Square Top Mountain

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 2/28/2021, By: gluckhikes
Info: Snow around the Sq Top Lakes trail is pretty thin, no flotation needed. Willows are mostly avoidable. Traction is advised for a steep section of the ridge that begins with slick talus and then becomes hard snow. I managed without, but it was slower, especially on the descent. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 12/22/2020, By: daway8
Info: In looking for a short, avy safe route to squeeze in, Square Top came up as an option. Had seen recent images from Bierstadt being pretty dry. Same was true across the valley for Square Top. Hard packed snow on road from winter Guanella lot but road totally bare from just below the parking areas. Put on snowshoes after dropping into the valley but only because I briefly lost the trail. Once back on trail didn't really need them but left them on until base of the climb up Square Top. From there to summit and back to the trailhead just had boots - no traction/flotation needed (minor postholing here and there). There was some minor avy activity at the first swithcback above the winter parking (in the area with the warning signs). Slopes just before the lake were slightly concerning but can be avoided. Based on the map I had concerns about the ascent up beyond the lakes but that area was blown largely dry so no danger yet. Will add multiple photos of the area. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 9/16/2020, By: Brittanyjomad
Info: GPS clocked 7.2 miles, 4 hours 4 minutes (with about 5-10 minutes spent at the summit). The trail had no snow on this day and had a clear well defined trail until the first lake (not squaretop). After that it is a very steep incline up the ridge until the Second false summit! After the second false summit it is an easy, flat walk to the true summit. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: tcphoto87
Info: Great day out, spots were pretty muddy but were pretty avoidable still. Any snow near the trail is avoidable. I had a late start, tried to do some other peaks first but after waiting in line for an hour at I picked Square Top instead and didn't get to GP until 11:15 (luckily I guess so I could park close) Total taking my time, chilling on the summit and at both lakes and taking a lot of photos I was up and down in under 4 hours. The ridge is super steep I wish I didn't leave my poles in the car. Theres a couple false summits and then this long more flat stretch of rocks before the actual summit which stretches on for awhile too. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/24/2020, By: etradio1
Info: A little muddy in the willows, but nothing too bad. Some snow on the way up but nothing you couldn't walk around or through without trouble. Had microspikes but didnt need them. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/22/2020, By: caitlin521
Info: Beautiful hike. Some muddy sections before the lower lake a a lot of small snow drifts higher up to cross. We brought spikes but did not need to use them. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/20/2020, By: capetrekker
Info: If going out tomorrow (6/21), bring spikes. The peak received a good dusting from a few storms. It'll melt quick and should be gone by next weekend. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/14/2020, By: tajjyarden
Info: Everything was summer conditions. There were just a few small snow patches to walk over or around. Nice and easy hike to the lakes, then very steep from there up to the top. On our way back down we glissaded down the big snow field and it was fun! 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/6/2020, By: angry
Info: Summer conditions. Parking lot was full when I arrived at 1pm. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/3/2020, By: JakeByk
Info: Mostly summer conditions. Usual left turn at the Square Top Lakes Trail junction is actually snowed in with waist deep drift, so continue toward upper lake then just turn and go up the steep slope to your left and gain the hump below the Southeast Ridge. Beautiful route. Guanella Pass opens tomorrow 6/4 according to USFS. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/25/2020, By: CJHubbard
Info: Skinned up the southeast ridge. Thin in some areas but continuous snow from Guanella Pass to the summit. I skied down one of the north couloirs which still held plenty of snow. It was a slog getting back to Naylor lake and then I had to boot the remaining distance back to the trailhead due to lack of snow. A very nice tour approximately 10 miles according to my GPS. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 3/7/2020, By: Ashleybarrett9
Info: I was on Bierstadt trail today but had a good view of the ski lines on Squaretop. Looked in for the line that descends from the false summit to the lake. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 3/8/2020, By: dolfh
Info: Parked at Guanella Pass CG. Hiked to Guanella Pass on well traveled path. Crossed the flats to Square Top Lakes area. Snow across the flats was firm in the morning with snowshoes but postholed quite a bit in the afternoon. Followed dry slope south of Square Top Lakes to summit. 

Route: Wilcox/Argentine/Square Top
Posted On: 11/10/2019, By: durkan
Info: Based on previous reports and investigation at the trailhead, I left gaiters and flotation in the car (and glad I did). I had microspikes, but I felt I really only needed them between Argentine and Square Top. Descent down Square Top was pretty dry and offered some short opportunities to glissade after a long day. Some high wind, but definitely didn't feel like 40mph as advertised on weather.gov before I left. With the incoming storm will probably make report obsolete soon. 

Route: From Argentine
Posted On: 10/2/2019, By: wondering_hough
Info: windy, the saddle between Argentine and sq top was the windiest part of my day. Some mountain goats were on both the east and west ridge of square top.