Gray Wolf Mountain

Route: SW Slopes
Posted On: 3/22/2020, By: TaylorHolt
Info: Summitted from Guanella Pass today (trip report later this week). I put in a solo trench from the last switchback before the summer trailhead, but with the wind today, it was mostly blown in on my descent. I'd imagine it's already gone for the most part, so if you're planning Gray Wolf, expect to break trail the whole way. 

Route: SW slopes from Guanella Pass
Posted On: 1/20/2020, By: drop_bear
Info: Road and Bierstadt trail from winter closure nicely packed. We turned off just after the "#11" post and headed roughly up the Scott Gomer Creek drainage. From here until about 12,400' is deep unconsolidated snow, you'll want floatation. Was able to pick up on an old trench intermittently through the willows which was helpful. From 12,400' to the summit was mostly wind blown tundra with patches of varying quality snow fields. 

Route: From Guanella Pass
Posted On: 11/1/2019, By: WildWanderer
Info: Guanella Pass was icy, especially in the morning, but open. I wore snowshoes from truck to summit and back. They were overkill at times but necessary to summit. I had an ice axe and didn't need it. The snow conditions varied from firm and consolidated to soft and sugary, often with each step. Creeks are not yet frozen: They're covered with a very thin layer of ice and lots of snow and difficult to see, so listen for water/cracking/etc. as you walk through the willows. The summit was rocky and had patchy, avoidable snow. Wind far exceeded the forecasted 25-30mph so my footprints beyond the basin are long gone, but I made a pretty good trench from post 11 until there that should be there for a few days. 

Route: Via Mt. Spalding from Summit Lake
Posted On: 9/25/2019, By: HikesInGeologicTime
Info: Bone-dry with fall colors coming in down below. Saddle between Spalding and Gray Wolf was windy; extra layers recommended if you're doing it in the morning. Very few people on Spalding in the morning, but expect to be dealing with more traffic heading up and down en route to Evans in the afternoon if it's as sunny as it was today.

Third picture shows a cairn in the left 1/4 at which you can cut right off the trail to start over toward Gray Wolf if you don't feel inclined to deal with all of Spalding's lumps and bumps. 

Route: From Summit Lake
Posted On: 7/1/2019, By: Chelsea
Info: She is in summer conditions! Few patches of snow are unavoidable but really not that bad. No winter gear needed. When heading over, KEEP RIGHT to avoid the marshy saddle. 

Route: Guanella Pass
Posted On: 6/15/2019, By: jibler
Info: Got to respect the Wolf! This was awesome - and I'm guessing this may be the Premiere relatively snow free ascent option on the front range right now.

Followed the Bierstadt trail half way across the big meadow and then followed the finger of trees up towards the big rocks below the approach to the Wolf - along the north side of the trees. Only the lower section of my legs got wet the whole time!

And the upper half of hike was more rewarding that I expected too - inc. dramatic huge cliff off north side of Gray Wolf ( tell me that's called "The Wolf Head" - right?)

Had to hunker in the trees yesterday (started at 1pm) while two snow storms rolled thru the pass - one boom of thunder. But the weather cleared and it was all good. about 6+ miles and took me 5 hrs but that had weather delay. Trip report to follow. 

Route: Scott Gomer Creek
Posted On: 4/6/2019, By: dwoodward13
Info: Well packed trail on the road. I put in a cut off so you don't have to go all the way to the standard Bierstadt trail before turning off to head up the mellow gully north of the Gomer Gully. Snow was 99.9% supportive in the morning and on the way back. Once you meet up with the main trench that comes from the Bierstadt trail, its in excellent condition and I refreshed it as well. Well defined trench goes almost to the summit. I used snowshoes until ~13400 and you really couldn't get away with much less. 

Route: Scott Gomer Creek
Posted On: 3/21/2019, By: HikerGuy
Info: Last day of winter, felt like spring. It was nice to walk OVER the willows for a change. Did not need snowshoes on road. Once off the road, snowshoes advisable, definitely in the afternoon. This route is mellow, no need for axe or spikes. Had a leisurely start at 9:45a, spent 30 minutes on summit and back to car at 3:05p. About 9 miles and 3,000 ft total, round trip. Crossed paths with Tornadoman on the way down; unfortunately, I did not see his ice axe. Photos are in reverse order. 

Route: From Summit Lake
Posted On: 7/3/2018, By: LetsGoMets
Info: Dry on the saddle/meadow between Spaulding and Gray Wolf. 

Route: Echo Lake
Posted On: 1/19/2018, By: soccern23ny
Info: Via Echo Lake.

Started 0715, summitted 1100, completed 1500.

Beautiful day, sunny no clouds. Micro spikes a good idea. Trail up until turn off for bushwack was nicely packed down. Ice axe not really needed, snowshoes not really needed. A lot less snow than I thought, almost none on top of main ridge.



The only meaningful snow was when you leave the trail to head north/northeast up the ridge to your right after the first chicago lake. And at the last portion of the first ridge There was an annoying amount of snow where shoes were needed, yet somehow not enough to need them. This area has lots of waist high willows which trap the snow causing you to have to post hole thigh high, yet it's not worth putting on the snow shoes. Basically a pain in the ass, but it is short lived. The snow drifts are in patches.

To avoid this ascend the ridge sooner rather than later, and descend the ridge later rather than sooner.

The summit was literally windless, probably about 25-30deg at the top, yet I was able to stay up and eat lunch without a single warming layer due to the sun being out and no wind.

Did not see a single person the entire day.

Hike is long, with about 3-4 false summits. In inclement weather or after heavy snow would not recommend, just to long. 

Route: Echo Lake Loop
Posted On: 10/29/2016, By: JasonKline
Info: Echo Lake -> Goliath -> Rogers -> Warren -> Spalding -> Gray Wolf -> Echo Lake loop almost entirely clear. The small amount of snow was easily avoidable. 

Route: from summit lake
Posted On: 9/4/2016, By: Trotter
Info: The field between mt spalding and gray wolf is extremely soggy and wet. To keep mostly dry feet, stay as far north as you can, against the cliffs. 

Route: Via Spalding
Posted On: 6/25/2016, By: Fabio 49
Info: I hiked to Gray Wolf Friday and it was a beautiful day for a hike. The route up to Mt. Spalding was the traditional start of the route to Mt. Evans from Summit Lake. Once you are near the summit of Spalding you head north and there were a few snow patches that could be avoided on the decent. You could not avoid the marshy, muddy slop of snow melt though. I found the least gooey route was near the edge of the cirque overlooking the Chicago lakes. Again some snow near the GWM summit that was a quick scramble across but nothing to write home about! Even saw about a dozen goats! 

Route: From Chicago Lakes TH
Posted On: 12/9/2014, By: BagginPeaks
Info: Not much as far as 13er beta so I figured I'd post a report even though I did not summit.

Set off from Echo Lake on the Chicago Lakes Trail with hopes of climbing Gray Wolf today. I was on Chief Mountain yesterday and could tell that the ridge up Gray Wolf was wind-swept and mostly snow free. The trail was mostly hard packed snow with some ice, micro spikes would be beneficial but I never put mine on (had my mountaineering boots on). Decided to just hike to the lakes because I had my dog and did not feel like navigating the maze of fallen trees with him to gain the ridge. Definitely leaving the trail and gaining the ridge initially would be the crux because it looks steep, had snow, rocks and fallen trees, but with careful routefinding one could make it up without any issues. More snow on that slope than on the ridge leading to the summit.

Might go back soon without the dog to tag this forgotten 13er! 

Route: approach via spalding
Posted On: 6/12/2014, By: lafutura
Info: snow fields at the top required careful footing but no traction devices needed.