Pettingell Peak

Route: Up S. Slopes - Down E. Ridge
Posted On: 11/14/2017, By: quaternion
Info: Trail to Herman Lake has a few icy spots down low, then mostly snowy and icy. Moderate postholing. For S slopes choose between the loose rock and swaths of slick, powdered sugar snow. The E ridge has several knife-edge snow crossings, but none of the rock was icy. Challenging conditions, but doable by either route. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 7/9/2017, By: jladderud
Info: Summer conditions up there. All snow avoidable. But there are still couloir climb opportunities on both Pettingell and the Citadel. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 5/6/2017, By: AlexeyD
Info: Second time's the charm! Skied S face/SE ramp right from the summit to about 0.5 miles from TH (right after the aspen stand in Herman Gulch, about where the snow line was a month ago). 6:20 start, 9:30 summit, started descent close to 10. Good overnight freeze despite very warm daytime temps. Snow stayed firm for most of the ascent, and was perfect corn on most of the descent down into Herman Gulch. S face has good coverage currently, a few rocks around 13K but not a problem getting around them. Lots and lots of wet slide debris everywhere - start early and leave early! 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 4/9/2017, By: AlexeyD
Info: SE slopes route is in decent shape for a ski decent. Herman Gulch has continuous snow starting about 1/2 mile up from the TH (just after the large aspen stand on the slope above I-70). Above Herman Lake, snow quality greatly deteriorated (mashed potatoes up to hip deep around 10:30), so we turned around around 12,800'. Get an early start for this one! The upper 700' or so looked a bit rocky, but skiable. The ramp down to Herman Lake has great coverage and offered some nice turns, albeit a bit grappy/dense in places. In general, snow quality elsewhere in the Herman Gulch drainage seemed better than what we experienced: a party that skied the NE bowl of the Citadel reported good conditions throughout the line, and the ski back down the gulch was reasonably fast even as late in the day as we were. Lots of great lines in this area, come and get it! 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 7/5/2016, By: CreekRunner
Info: There are a few patches of snow to cross. The first two are along the approach and have been tread down enough to make the snow firm. The third one, which is the large one the covers the north side of the ramp is pretty solid in the middle and soft on the edges; It might help to have ski poles to prevent slipping. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/27/2016, By: Brian Thomas
Info: Ridge route to summit is 99% snow free, descent via Herman Lake has some small snow patches to cross. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 5/23/2016, By: emgordon
Info: Left trailhead a little before 7. Trail is covered in running water until you reach continuous, well frozen snow about half a mile in. Citadel and Pettingell couloirs look filled in. Avy debris on east and south facing slopes, west aspects are very dry. Snow bridges holding well. A group at the trailhead said they skied Citadel (starting at 5), we chose a south facing gully off UN 12805 because of our later start. Snow was perfect for descent at 10:00, though we saw many people postholing their way without snowshoes or skis as we were heading down. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/21/2015, By: awake
Info: Snow started at Herman Lake and continue for about 800 feet (not quite to the saddle). Then patches of snow from the saddle up to the summit. I was there early in the morning, so the snow was pretty solid. The way back was tricky as that section getting back to Herman Lake was pretty slick and steep. (At least, it seemed steep to me). Not an absolute necessity, but bringing an Ice Axe wouldn‘t be a bad idea. The Citadel looked liked it had quite a bit of snow as well. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 7/6/2014, By: cougar
Info: Pettingell Peak is mostly clear. The East Ridge is basically dry, snow not an issue. There is a firm snowfield below the summit for the upper 1/3 of the south slope, it is broken up and can be bypassed with some detouring, descend with caution (there is no runout). Some snow around Herman Lake still - trail is very muddy in spots. Still plenty of snow on east face of the Citadel. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 10/14/2013, By: metalmountain
Info: The east ridge of Pettingell was in great shape Saturday. We avoided the slog that seems to be the standard way to access the ridge (which involves heading up to the ridge at the signed turn off) and instead hiked most of the way to the lake. With the snow that was there we were able to head up the small shoulder just east of the lake and then hiked back north toward the ridge and climbed a small gully which contained decent enough snow to get a few kicks in. From then on it was straight forward class 3/4 and we stuck almost entirely to the ridge proper. We descended the standard route. I can‘t recommend taking our route up to the ridge, we just happened to catch it when the snow was in good shape. The gully would be a not so safe place to be had it been loaded up just a bit more. But the conditions on Saturday were great! 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 10/10/2013, By: highcountryhiker
Info: Snow and mud in places on the trail to Herman Lake. The snowfields in the gully and on the ramp above the lake were mostly avoidable. Avoided the cornice at the saddle on the south ridge by ascending the southeast face to the east ridge a short distance below the summit. Descended the standard south ridge, but continued south past the saddle and the cornice before exiting the ridge. There was some snow on the ridges, but Microspikes were not necessary. The wind shelter at the summit was full of snow. Dug in the snow but did not find a register and did not look for very long because it was 35° and very windy. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 7/22/2013, By: jeremy27
Info: I highly recommend the east ridge scramble over the standard route. The east ridge is short and sweet with some fun scrambling. Just stay ridge proper as often as possible and you’ll have a nice time. The view from the summit is excellent. Descending the standard route was loose and tedious. Stick to the grass as much as possible. Good luck. 

Route: east ridge
Posted On: 7/4/2013, By: taylorzs
Info: The east ridge of Pettingel is dry and devoid of snow. The south slopes still have some snowfields but they are easily avoidable. The Citadel still had a good deal of snow on it. I saw fresh tracks on one of the snowfields below the summit of the Citadel today. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 5/26/2013, By: tygrubb
Info: Some wet slide activity on the South aspects but the coverage in this zone will last for awhile. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 1/2/2013, By: Unknown
Info: Packed snow up to 11,900. From there snowshoes were helpful till about 13,000. There‘s a mix of windblow exposed rocks and deep snow from 13,000 to the summit ridge. Traction is helpful on the way down.