South Arapaho Peak

Route: Via Fourth of July trailhead
Posted On: 7/22/2019, By: Giant hills
Info: No snow. Just some water and mud on trail in short sections and a few easy small stream crossings. Other than that summer. 

Route: Via Fourth of July trailhead
Posted On: 7/21/2019, By: salmanalsaif
Info: Did the traverse. The route is snow free. Didn't think water crossings were a big deal, had my gaiters but they weren't necessary. Didn't think waterproof shoes were necessary either (used my rubber approach shoes the whole way). 

Route: Old Baldy and S. Arapaho Peak Combo
Posted On: 7/21/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: The approach to just above treeline is rather wet. There are lots of stream crossings and near treeline there's some standing water. It's all avoidable with proper footwork. The rest of the trail is dry. Route finding from the South Arapaho saddle to Old Baldy is simple, just gain elevation and you'll find the summit. 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 7/21/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: Skywalker is out for the season. The top is melted out except for a thin strip that's probably part of the Princess Leia finish. Climb it at your own risk. 

Route: Old Baldy and S. Arapaho Peak Combo
Posted On: 7/6/2019, By: SkiColorado93
Info: The road to the trailhead is completely dry, as is the trail up to treeline... after treeline there are some snow patches that are firm and icy in the morning and soft and wet in the afternoon. The snow is avoidable in some spots, but not really in others. Above treeline, the majority of the trail is a stream. We didn't need/use traction. There was no snow on the route once you gain the S Arapaho/Old Baldy ridge. Old Baldy is completely clear of snow. 

Route: Via Fourth of July TH and South Arapaho Peak
Posted On: 7/2/2019, By: ssides
Info: The road to 4th of July TH is completely clear. The trail is free of snow up to the junction that splits off to go to Diamond Lake. Between this junction and the turn to go up to S. Arapaho peak the trail is good... however several large snow patches remain but the trail is clear. Just past the turn to go up the peak there is a lot of snow and its difficult to find the trail. The snow here is deep and breaking through to the rocks can be a tad dangerous. Once you make it to the trail going up about 100ft, it gets very clear most of the way. About 300ft below the saddle that overlooks the glacier there are large patches of snow that make staying on the trail difficult, these are annoying but manageable. Once at the saddle the trail up to S Arapaho is completely clear. The traverse to N Arapaho looked very snowy and I'm not experienced enough to try it. One person said they went all the way, and they (at least) had a snow ax. He said it was ok except for 5%, but it was the 'interesting' 5%... take that report for what you will. I thought I could hear the snow cracking on the glacier from the top of S Arapaho! Overall the weather was great and for the most part the trail is good. It was warm all day and the snow is melting fast. I had microspikes... but I didn't wear them as the snow was super slushy all day anyway. 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 6/10/2019, By: FoxintheForest
Info: Skywalker is in and looking delightful. The bootpack is intermittent - the original ‘solid bootpack' described in recent reports has been washed out by snowmelt and skiers/riders. We set mostly new tracks up the Leia finish, with the exception of a few nicely kicked steps at the start. Snow was excellent yesterday (we were at the base of climb around 5:4am and had an overnight freeze). Icy sheen in spots but we didn't need any screws or rope. Climbers right in the Leia finish is starting to facet, making a good ax purchase tough, but there is good snow on the climbers left side - just beware of the cornice. The approach has icy, hard packed snow patches most of the way. Ice and firm snow held in the shade and was an obstacle on the return journey. We brought snowshoes but didn't need them. As silly as it sounds, I would have wanted microspikes for those firm, icy sections just to make the going a bit less tedious. We used crampons, one ax and one tool for Leia - recommended. Started around 4:40, made it to the base of the climb around 6. It took us a little under 2 1/2 hours to top out. Still lots of snow in the area and an overall excellent day! 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 6/9/2019, By: nickle
Info: We did Juliet couloir on Mt Neva 6/8 and also saw plenty of traffic on Skywalker when we passed by. Lots of snow still in the IPW (of course), but with the very weak freezes we're getting early starts are mandatory. Lots of wet-loose slides on all aspects, very large cornices this year to be on the lookout for. We started up Juliet around 8:15AM and that was the absolute latest I would have wanted to start. Juliet is E facing, so Skywalker might have a little more leeway. Expect plenty of postholing even with snowshoes. Everything is very full, enjoy it while the (semi) low temps last Photo #1: Mt Neva and Arapaho Pass Photo #2: Nearing Arapaho Pass Photo #3: Dorothy Lake basin - note all the wet-loose activity Photo #4: Large cornice over Desdemona couloir Photo #5: S Arapaho/Skywalker 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 6/2/2019, By: mlloyd5
Info: Kick steps are well formed on Skywalker/Leia finish. Left 4th of July TH at 4:00 am, base of couloir by 6:00 am. Couloir itself only took 1.5 hours thanks to steps. We used crampons, axe, and 1 tool. But another group got by with just one axe. No snowshoes, did some postholing on way out. We were to skip some switchbacks with glissades off std route of S. Arapaho 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 5/27/2019, By: alyssacait23
Info: Skywalker Couloir (Leia finish) was in perfect condition. Snow from trailhead to summit. Crampons and ice ax were used. Snowshoes might be helpful for the way out but we did not use them. Make sure to wear a helmet as there was falling ice balls off the rock walls on either end of the couloir the moment the sun hit. 

Route: Via Fourth of July trailhead
Posted On: 5/25/2019, By: Pikaskinpants
Info: Started at 8. Deep snow from trailhead to summit, with a few windblown areas above 12000. Skywalker coulair looks perfect. Used microspikes the whole time. Didn't put on snow shoes, but they would be critical if it was any warmer. 

Route: Old Baldy and S. Arapaho Peak Combo
Posted On: 3/16/2019, By: jmanner
Info: Also flew by the backside Arapahoe... 

Route: Old Baldy and S. Arapaho Peak Combo
Posted On: 7/23/2018, By: rubberchickens
Info: Summer conditions, dry trail. Fire smoke was bad until we rose above it and the wind carried it away. 

Route: Arapahoe Glacier Trail from Rainbow Lakes Campgrou
Posted On: 7/15/2018, By: reschly
Info: Everything dry and in good condition. 

Route: Skywalker Couloir
Posted On: 6/5/2018, By: dweiss2
Info: Skywalker is in, Leia, Han's Solo, and Escape are still snow covered. We arrived too late to be comfortable on the Leia finished due to soft snow and elected for the Escape instead. If you want to do the Leia top out, best to be at the bottom of Leia's by 8:30 AM at the latest. Snow was solid all the way on the ascent until the sun hit the snow. No need for floatation or traction on the approach, but we were slowed down just above the mine due to snow covering the trail. Began our ascent at 7 AM, but I would recommend 6 AM to do Leia's.