10/8/2015 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 10/8/2015, By: Trotter Info: Southeast ridge is about 90% snow free, there are patches of 1 inch deep or less scattered around, including on summit. Easily avoidable, no spikes needed. For those continuing down the west side towards Argentine Peak, there is 2 inches of solid snow cover that way. |
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6/13/2015 Route: Posted On: 6/15/2015, By: AlexeyD Info: Climbed and skied the East Slope/Northeast Ridge of Square Top on Saturday (thanks to dogfuzion for the previous condition report!). I was able to piece together a continuous line from the false summit down to the upper lake via a nice chute, ~1500‘ vertical (see route photo below). The chute down to the lake is neither as steep nor as narrow and tenuous as it appears from below; I‘d say based on its current state, it still has a good couple weeks left. Mostly decent conditions, pretty soft and mushy (even starting the climb up the chute around 8:30) but definitely getting more stable; only experienced a little bit of sloughing on one of the steep-ish sections (~35 degrees), but not too bad. The actual chute skied wonderfully, nice firm base with a few inches of corn on top. For the uphill, I was able to skin all but two sections: the chute, and several hundred feet of the steepest part of the face above. Once on the upper face, it‘s possible to traverse climber‘s left for a more moderate/skinnable ascent. East bowl did not look good - tons of avy debris, and scary-looking cornices hanging over pretty much all the chutes. As per previous report, the trail up to the lakes is mostly melted out, with only a couple of short snow patches remaining. There were many wet sections, though - having ski boots was actually pretty nice for the hike out. Non-skiers also had a nice time plunge-stepping down the snowfield and hiking the beautiful tundra benches above the lakes. All in all a great day on a great mountain, almost entirely to ourselves on a bluebird Saturday. |
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6/9/2015 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 6/11/2015, By: dogfuzion Info: Guanella Pass road is open from Georgetown to the pass with no snow on the road. Square top is getting pretty melted out. We had to hike the entire trail to Square Top lakes before we could skin up. The east ridge is still skiable but may not be in a week. We skied the south ridge/slopes which had generally good coverage although you had to hunt and peck several times and one section where you had to walk carrying your skis for 5 minutes. |
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11/27/2014 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 11/27/2014, By: TonkatsuDave Info: The first 1mi or so has a lot of snow drifts in the willows. Definitely regretted leaving the snowshoes in the car, but once beyond the willows the route is good to go. About 3 or 4 inches of snow along the remaining route, microspikes may be nice if it freezes but not needed as of now. |
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12/19/2013 Route: South-southeast Ridge Posted On: 12/19/2013, By: thurs Info: Hike in from Guanella Pass road. Deep snow in places but firm on traveled paths. Mostly no snow on the ridges above tree line. Easily hikeable in crappy boots. Summit and summit ridge is generally snow-free. Risky snowfields are completely avoidable. |
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7/16/2012 Route: Square Top Lakes Trail Posted On: 7/17/2012, By: MTGOAT72 Info: Nice and clear hike up Square Top yesterday. From the trail turn off there isn‘t a clear trail in place just follow the long steep rib to the summit ridge. Great wild flower hike right now! http://coloradoascents.blogspot.com/2012/07/square-top-mountain.html |
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6/17/2012 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 6/19/2012, By: MC.Ikema Info: Route to the top from Guanella Pass is snow free. Not a snow field in sight on this side of the mountain. |
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6/3/2012 Route: Silver Dollar Lake Posted On: 6/4/2012, By: metalmountain Info: MAde it up Square Top and Argentine from the Silver Dollar Lake TH. The trail has some downed trees to contend with from the point you leave the car to a little ways below treeline. After that there is some mud to contend with until you get up to the small lake west of Silver Dollar Lake. I worked my way up the talus to the summit of Square Top, then took the ridge down to the saddle between ST and Argentine. The ridge up to Argentine is carrying some snow still, but you can get around most if not all of it. I was planning to continue on to Wilcox but got worried about the weather and bailed. Descending from Argentine toward Wilcox you will have to currently cross one good sized snow field, but its easily manageable. |
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6/1/2012 Route: NW Ridge via Argentine Pass Posted On: 6/1/2012, By: TravelingMatt Info: From the Argentine TH on the west (Summit County) side, there are a few minor snowfields on the trail (the old road) below treeline. Above treeline are two major snowfields, one of which is steep and at least 100' long. Microspikes highly recommended; otherwise safest way across is to ascend ~50 vertical feet, cross where the slope is gentler and return to trail. Summer conditions above Argentine Pass no matter where you go; all snow is easily avoided. |
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5/26/2012 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 5/26/2012, By: Thunderable Info: Some snow, ice and runoff puddles, but no major obstacles. |
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5/21/2012 Route: Posted On: 5/21/2012, By: Matt Lemke Info: Snow free |
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12/10/2011 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 12/10/2011, By: jeremy27 Info: I climbed Square Top today and the conditions were incredible. Perfect weather and very little snow. What snow has fallen on the route is blown and melted off. I didn‘t need flotation or traction. A little postholing in the willows at the start but nothing serious. Great climb. |
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6/1/2011 Route: square top, argentine, wilcox combo Posted On: 6/1/2011, By: luckyzsquirrel Info: Did the Square Top, Argentine, Wilcox combo. Up to Square Top patchy snow, but can be mostly avoided. No need for snowshoes. Same for Square Top Argentine Traverse. I returned by the going around the top side of Murray Lake and then roughly along the 12600 contour to avoid going back over the first two peaks (so the N slope of Square Top). Snow on that slope was fairly deep, often unavoidable, and I ended up post holing quite a bit. Guanella Pass is open all the way across from both sides, however it is closed for construction 8-11 and 1-3 weekdays. During the open times you still may need to wait a 1/2 hour or so for a pilot car on the Georgetown side. |
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12/26/2010 Route: Southeast Ridge Posted On: 12/26/2010, By: Wyoming Bob Info: Approach from Grant side, parked 0.8 mile short of winter gate, snow too deep to proceed (Toyota Tacoma 4 WD), snow machine track to pass, road well packed no snowshoes needed to pass. I cut off the road, headed toward Squaretop, snow 2+ feet deep, powder offering no flotation for snowshoes, fine for group with lead rotation, a bear for a solo act. |
