10/3/2021 Route: West Slope Posted On: 10/4/2021, By: MaryinColorado Info: Route was dry until approx. 12,600', by my estimation, when patchy snow began. As you hit the ridge proper, snow became contiguous and increasingly deeper, upwards of 4-6" in spots from here until summit. Due to snow being unconsolidated and uncertain of potential for ice, went up and over the first "hump" instead of around the east/left side of it as portrayed in the route description, and then curved around the right side of the second hump before then angling up to gain the top of the ridge. Quite happy with route choices and the breaking of trail done by a group of 4 hikers I encountered on their descent. Donned my microspikes at the top of the first hump, FYI, before proceeding on. Easy snow trekking to the summit; the snow covered the talus nicely, I think making for an easier trek. Gaiters also recommended. |
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8/7/2021 Route: West Slope Posted On: 8/7/2021, By: mtngoatwithstyle Info: Dry conditions. There are cairns after the willows at the beginning of the slope that will take you up on a grassy area instead of the rocky gullies. Very very smoky day. Saw the biggest pika ever!. |
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7/31/2021 Route: West Slope Posted On: 7/31/2021, By: Carl_Healy Info: Summer conditions, though by July 31st would you expect something different? Only will say all that monsoonal moisture made things wet. Would have helped to have gaiters for all the dew on the grass and willows. Also made the rocks and talus pretty slick. |
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6/27/2021 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 6/27/2021, By: supranihilest Info: Easy ascent up through nice, open forest to the talus-laden but easy ridge. Minimal route finding. Added on Point 12,700 and Volz Benchmark making a nice loop. Both 12ers are Class 2. Descending the west drainage between 12,700 and Volz Benchmark was easy as well, just follow the creek down. |
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6/18/2021 Route: West Slope Posted On: 6/18/2021, By: oldgrayhair Info: Summer conditions. There are some very small snowfields that can be avoided or with minimal crossing time; no microspikes required. |
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1/15/2021 Route: West Slope Posted On: 1/15/2021, By: dolfh Info: The first 2 miles of the Boreas Pass shelf road are icy with some exposure. Traction might be helpful. After 2 miles the road is heavily used by XC skiers. There is some unavoidable knee deep snow above the cabins at Boreas Pass. |
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11/7/2020 Route: West Slope Posted On: 11/7/2020, By: litote312 Info: Dry from Boreas Pass to the summit. |
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10/17/2020 Route: Boreas Pass Posted On: 10/17/2020, By: angry Info: Loop from Bald, dry to summit. The peaks are much further apart than they appear. Register needs a writing instrument. |
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10/13/2020 Route: West Slope Posted On: 10/14/2020, By: asueagle02 Info: Went up the north ridge from Black Powder Pass and down the standard West Slope route. Fresh snow in among the talus in places along the upper ridge, but was powdery and not a big deal. |
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6/28/2020 Route: West Slope Posted On: 6/28/2020, By: goldenite Info: All snow is avoidable. I hiked to Black Powder Pass on the way back and found that one of the little hills has a name. Picture of the summit sign attached and written on the back of a frozen pizza box, no less! It looks like Bald Mtn A has some unavoidable snow, but not much. 1 - Bald Mtn A 2 - looking West toward Quandary and surrounding peaks 3 - Boreas from the road 4 - Mt Bruh, I took the sign down with me and was going to trash it, but might hang it in the garage as a reminder of that time I hiked a 69er! |
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6/27/2020 Route: West Slope Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: denvermikey Info: Easily avoidable snow here and there. Generally summer conditions. Sign on the Como side of the pass stating closed for season is fake news. |
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9/8/2019 Route: West Ridge via Bald Posted On: 9/8/2019, By: LetsGoMets Info: Dry, summer conditions! |
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6/29/2019 Route: as seen from Red Peak A Posted On: 7/1/2019, By: shaunblair Info: At least one snowfield remains mid-ridge on this route, as seen from atop Red Peak A. |
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1/5/2019 Route: West Slope Posted On: 1/6/2019, By: Marmot72 Info: Nice ski/snowshoe/bike track from the winter TH to the water tower. After that the packed track narrows - place foot just 2-3 inches to one side, and sink to the calf. Summit mostly dry; snow on ridge wind-packed and nice. Snow between the cabin and the ridge mostly breakable crust over a couple feet of sugar; best to be sure to strike a 45 degree left from the cabin to gain more wind-scoured thinner snow cover with occasional grass. (I found the easy way on the descent.) |
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6/13/2018 Route: West Slope Posted On: 6/13/2018, By: Trotter Info: Boreas pass open, route is mostly snow free. Did have to cross one snowfield near summit, but you could avoid it by dropping 100 feet. Note, there is now a trail once you hit the talus at around 12,800, Its actually quite nice. Below 12,800 theres no trail, but several cairns do lead a fairly nice route across the tundra. |
