Venable Peak

Route: Via venable trail from the east
Posted On: 11/24/2025, By: bigfoot1
Info: Attempt. Needed to put chains on my tires to get to within 1 mile of the trailhead in the morning and ended up parking on the side of the road at the final right turn before you squiggle around to get to the lot. Potty is closed for the season.

Fresh moose tracks by the beginning of the trail, but no moose sighting.

Beautiful day, odd conditions. Started a bit before 10am and there was already some melting going on, making the trail go from faceted sugar snow to heavy, wet, a-really-dense-snowball-thrown-at-your-head-might-give-you-a-concussion type of snow. Put snowshoes on around 10.4k ft (off at 10.1k ft) and broke out a rough trench following the summer trail to Venable Lakes. Deepest snow I encountered was maybe a foot or a little more, not bad at all. Turned around because wind was forecasted to be less than 20mph and I didnt bring my ski goggles but I could actively see snow sublimating from the ridge so it was at least 30mph, probably more. 0 avvy concerns, even though the summer route goes through avvy territory. Not enough snow for that to be an issue today.

A lot of melting down low today. I bet the road to the trailhead will be completely devoid of snow and ice by tomorrow or wednesday, assuming it doesn't snow more. 

Route: Comanche Spring Venable
Posted On: 10/26/2025, By: RyanOlsonDDS
Info: Comanche trail to Comanche to Spring to Venable (descent off Venable NE ridge to Venable trail). Most importantly: IMO Phantom Terrace is a non-starter; it’s a bit loaded (see pic) but there is a potential danger zone that is NOT visible from the S-V saddle. Looking back on it from below the most loaded section has notable ice features above and below the trail; I suspect there’s an icy booby trap hiding underneath. 2-6” of snow on NW through NE aspects from 10,000’, inconsequential dust (1-3”) on other aspects. NE ridge off Venable goes at class 2 if you stay on the North side. Some “dust on crust” around and above 13,000’. Spikes would’ve been helpful. I used my axe above 13,000’ on Comanche but left the crampons in the pack. 

Route: from venable th
Posted On: 6/19/2025, By: Laxer04
Info: Summer conditions. Summit register is in good shape. 

Route: Venable->Spring->Comanche
Posted On: 7/5/2024, By: climbingyogi
Info: Great conditions! No snow at all. Wonderful way to spend a birthday :)

TH was PACKED this morning, but very few people were on the loop and/or peaks. 

Route: Venable->Spring->Comanche
Posted On: 6/21/2024, By: artemavovk
Info: No snow on the trail.
At the saddle I just went up the ridge because there were some snow fields on the slope but the ridge was all clear.
Don't have good photos because I was literally in a cloud the whole time. 

Route: Venable TH>Venable>Spring>Comanche
Posted On: 10/11/2023, By: rachel
Info: Wore Microspikes on the Phantom Terrace.
North facing aspects holding snow, otherwise mostly dry. Windy and cold today. Fall colors are wrapping up. 

Route: Venable TH --> Venable --> Spring --> Comanche
Posted On: 7/10/2023, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Took Venable trail up to Venable lakes - camped - went up Phantom Terrace to Venable Peak - avoidable small patches of snow near ridgeline.Went up Spring Mountain then to Comanche and down to Comanche TH. Venable trail up is more gradual than Comanche trail. Minimal camp sites at Venable lakes. No snow on any trail. Marmots very comfortable around people. 

Route: Comanche
Posted On: 7/4/2023, By: angry
Info: Avoidable snow on ridge. 

Route: Comanche Pass
Posted On: 6/26/2023, By: dolfh
Info: The trail from Comanche Trailhead to Comanche Pass was dry for the most part. Snow slopes crossed the route in a few places between 12,200ft and 12,600ft. The snowy sections were easily avoided by dropping down below the trail a few feet. From Comanche Pass to the Phantom Terrace exit was completely dry. The slope up to Venable summit was steep and grassy. 

Route: Venable Trail
Posted On: 6/10/2023, By: Scott Conro
Info: Did not climb but the route from Spring Mountain looked good to go. The phantom terrace is nearly dry except the last few yards before making the Venable/Spring Mtn saddle. Final stretch at the peak still has snow to manage. The upper route above tree line looked mostly dry. For more info about the Comanche/Venable loop, see my Comanche conditions update.

Photo: Venable seen from Spring Mountain. You can see the trail to the phantom terrace and snow remaining on route. 

Route: Venable Creek up, Comanche Creek down
Posted On: 9/28/2022, By: Jay521
Info: Summer/fall conditions. No snow as of 27Sept. Phantom Terrace is a little wet in spots but goes easily. Aspens are changing and prettier on the Comanche side than the Venable side. 

Route: From Spring Mountain
Posted On: 11/7/2021, By: WildWanderer
Info: No traction needed from Spring Mountain, but microspikes could be helpful if you're taking the ridge. 

Route: From Venable Trail
Posted On: 11/7/2021, By: WildWanderer
Info: No traction needed along trail, but would have been helpful at times. I came within about 200 feet of the Venable/Spring saddle/pass, and had to turn around due to unconsolidated snow and a cornice covering the trail. I had all the necessary gear (snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, etc.) but did not feel safe on the unconsolidated and steep terrain. I went back the next day and summited via Comanche, and could see turning back was a good idea from above the pass as well. I could still see my tracks in the snow where I stopped. If doing this peak soon, summit via the Comanche Trail, and return via the Comanche Trail. 

Route: Venable pass
Posted On: 10/30/2021, By: seoulman
Info: Insignificant/avoidable snow except for one 100m patch on the ascent where traction or solid boots are advisable. I tried to descend via phantom terrace but there was a cornice at the junction with the saddle that I could have probably handled ascending, but not descending. So I came down commanche, which was easy. 

Route: From Venable TH
Posted On: 9/7/2021, By: kingshimmers
Info: The tundra is changing and the willows are starting to turn, but 98% of the aspen leaves between the Venable trailhead and peak are still green - we have a few more weeks yet!