Snowmass Mountain Trip Report 06/15/2025

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Snowmass Mountain - 14,105 feet
Date Posted	06/15/2025
Date Climbed	06/07/2025
Author	Twisted Flame

Snowmass - East (sort of direct)
Started on trail 6/6/2025. Weather was spotty with rain. According to the weather, we were going to have a great window of sunny skies the next day. It has been raining and snowing all week. Be sure to look up at the cliffs on the left side as you hike up the 9 miles to Snowmass Lake. The log jam wasn't as bad as everyone and every trip report made out to be. There are two options to cross. The first option is shorter with plenty of log options. We chose this option and used trekking poles to assist with balance. The second option was about twice as long and not as many log options for the cross. Remember that logs get very slippery when wet. We saw plenty of deer, marmots, and a rabbit on the way up to camp. About half a mile before Snowmass Lake there was spots of snow to hike in, but it really wasn't that bad. When we got to the lake, we were amazed by the backdrop of the scene in front of us. At the exit of Snowmass Lake where it turns into the creek, we noticed about 30 trout in the very shallow water. Most of them were about 2ft long. Found a good camp spot with no snow on the NE side of the lake. Woke up at 3am on 6/7/2025 for out summit attempt. Weather was about 35 degrees. Right off the bat we were in the snow as we maneuvered the willows on the South side of the lake. Most of the snow was still firm, but there was still little post holing. Snowshoes would've helped, but weren't needed. Got to the boulder scramble on the West side of the lake. As noted in other reports, this rock is very loose. Since it had been raining and snowing all the week prior, the rock was even more loose than usual. Remember to not scramble above anybody. At the top of the boulders, we made our first steps onto the snowmass. With our gaiters, crampons, and ice axe, we ascended up towards the ridge. The snowmass is long and daunting. Around sunrise, we could already feel the snow softening up. I kept as the lead moving up toward the ridge. We went up one couloir to the left of the "official" direct approach. At this point it was about 8am and had to pay extra close attention to the snow conditions. As the snow grade steepens, be aware of wet slab avalanches. In our couloir, we made an apparent class 4 move up an 8ft slab and gained the ridge. We were immediately welcomed by exposure. One false move or slide, and you go down the back side of the ridge. Again, with there being a layer of fresh snow from the last week, there were no tracks to follow. We stayed as close to ridge proper as we could. Made a couple small traverses where the snow gave way. Be sure your footing and holds are secure before each move. Gained the summit at about 9am. Weather was about 30 degrees with wind gusts of 25mph. It was definitely chilly, but man WHAT A VIEW. We ate our summit snacks and took plenty of pics and made our decent. It was obviously easier going down because we had our own tracks to follow. We dropped down the same couloir we ascended up. With how slushy the snow is at this point, there was little glissading. Stayed on the snow as much as we could down toward the lake. Coming back through the willows was obviously worse than this morning as each step, we'd sink a couple feet. Once at camp, we took a quick nap, cleaned up and headed for the car. About a mile before the TH we encountered a bear. Be sure to bring bear spray. As always, the car was a welcoming site. Overall a solid trip with challenges that made the experience worth it. GPS Track(s) on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): View Map Download GPX File Download KML File Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Snowmass - East (sort of direct)

Started on trail 6/6/2025. Weather was spotty with rain. According to the weather, we were going to have a great window of sunny skies the next day. It has been raining and snowing all week. Be sure to look up at the cliffs on the left side as you hike up the 9 miles to Snowmass Lake. The log jam wasn't as bad as everyone and every trip report made out to be. There are two options to cross. The first option is shorter with plenty of log options. We chose this option and used trekking poles to assist with balance. The second option was about twice as long and not as many log options for the cross. Remember that logs get very slippery when wet. We saw plenty of deer, marmots, and a rabbit on the way up to camp. About half a mile before Snowmass Lake there was spots of snow to hike in, but it really wasn't that bad. When we got to the lake, we were amazed by the backdrop of the scene in front of us. At the exit of Snowmass Lake where it turns into the creek, we noticed about 30 trout in the very shallow water. Most of them were about 2ft long. Found a good camp spot with no snow on the NE side of the lake.

Woke up at 3am on 6/7/2025 for out summit attempt. Weather was about 35 degrees. Right off the bat we were in the snow as we maneuvered the willows on the South side of the lake. Most of the snow was still firm, but there was still little post holing. Snowshoes would've helped, but weren't needed. Got to the boulder scramble on the West side of the lake. As noted in other reports, this rock is very loose. Since it had been raining and snowing all the week prior, the rock was even more loose than usual. Remember to not scramble above anybody. At the top of the boulders, we made our first steps onto the snowmass. With our gaiters, crampons, and ice axe, we ascended up towards the ridge. The snowmass is long and daunting. Around sunrise, we could already feel the snow softening up. I kept as the lead moving up toward the ridge. We went up one couloir to the left of the "official" direct approach. At this point it was about 8am and had to pay extra close attention to the snow conditions. As the snow grade steepens, be aware of wet slab avalanches. In our couloir, we made an apparent class 4 move up an 8ft slab and gained the ridge. We were immediately welcomed by exposure. One false move or slide, and you go down the back side of the ridge. Again, with there being a layer of fresh snow from the last week, there were no tracks to follow. We stayed as close to ridge proper as we could. Made a couple small traverses where the snow gave way. Be sure your footing and holds are secure before each move. Gained the summit at about 9am. Weather was about 30 degrees with wind gusts of 25mph. It was definitely chilly, but man WHAT A VIEW. We ate our summit snacks and took plenty of pics and made our decent. It was obviously easier going down because we had our own tracks to follow. We dropped down the same couloir we ascended up. With how slushy the snow is at this point, there was little glissading. Stayed on the snow as much as we could down toward the lake. Coming back through the willows was obviously worse than this morning as each step, we'd sink a couple feet. Once at camp, we took a quick nap, cleaned up and headed for the car. About a mile before the TH we encountered a bear. Be sure to bring bear spray. As always, the car was a welcoming site. Overall a solid trip with challenges that made the experience worth it.

GPS Track(s) on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

View Map

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

masonzastrow

Thanks for the bootpack!
6/16/2025 9:46am

I was up here the day after you, we probably ran into you as you were coming down. The steps going up into the little passageway getting to the ridge were a lifesaver and it was great following your prints up the snowmass too. Thanks for making it easy on us! Y'all did a great job route finding on a blank canvas.

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