Mt. Shavano Trip Report 06/21/2025

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Mt. Shavano - 14,230 feet
Date Posted	06/21/2025
Date Climbed	06/20/2025
Author	ahlisbon

Shavano + Tabeguache
Quick stats from: 11.74 miles out and back, 5,434 ft. of gain, finished in ~9 hours, hiked with a friend from sea level. Almost no snow. Driving to the Trailhead You can use Google Maps to get to the trailhead. Once you get on the dirt road, it's fairly bumpy because of rocks jutting out from the dirt and you'll need to take it slow in a low clearance vehicle. There is one point where the road will be very gnarly (as of June 2025) and you should up to take "C Loop" when you see the sign. This loop will take you past a bunch of campgrounds and is in good condition. You won't see the C Loop on Google Maps. The Trailhead had a pit toilet. Arrived at 6:30 AM on a Friday morning and there were still parking spaces available. Hiking up to the Saddle (between Shavano and some other peaks to the South) The trail is straightforward, clearly marked, and generally becomes steeper as you get closer to the ridge. Saddle to Shavano There are two distinct trails that will take to the start of the scree up Shavano. Both start to fade away as you ascend and there is no one clear route up the scree. There are no cairns. Aim for the peak and as you go up you'll clearly see patches of dirt with footsteps to the path(s) of least resistance others have taken to get to the top. The peak will naturally shield you from winds coming out of the west. Shavano to Tabegauche Out and Back No cairns. Stay more to the top of the ridge and pay attention to the bits of path that have formed for the path of least resistance. This will be a gradual descent down to the saddle. There is no distinct route up to Tabegauche and ascending goes surprisingly quick, there is a foxhole to shield from the wind at the top. The return is basically the same with a quick descent and gentler ascent back up Shavano. Returning to the Trailhead After coming back down Shavano and the saddle, it's a steep descent to treeline and stays steep for a while. Descent bit of loose dirt means some potential slipping and sliding so expect a decent bit of sunshine while descending in the afternoon, plus being significantly warmer. If you can delayer you'll be a fair bit more comfortable on this part of the hike.

Shavano + Tabeguache

Quick stats from: 11.74 miles out and back, 5,434 ft. of gain, finished in ~9 hours, hiked with a friend from sea level. Almost no snow.

Driving to the Trailhead

You can use Google Maps to get to the trailhead. Once you get on the dirt road, it's fairly bumpy because of rocks jutting out from the dirt and you'll need to take it slow in a low clearance vehicle. There is one point where the road will be very gnarly (as of June 2025) and you should up to take "C Loop" when you see the sign. This loop will take you past a bunch of campgrounds and is in good condition. You won't see the C Loop on Google Maps.

The Trailhead had a pit toilet. Arrived at 6:30 AM on a Friday morning and there were still parking spaces available.

Hiking up to the Saddle (between Shavano and some other peaks to the South)

The trail is straightforward, clearly marked, and generally becomes steeper as you get closer to the ridge.

Saddle to Shavano

There are two distinct trails that will take to the start of the scree up Shavano. Both start to fade away as you ascend and there is no one clear route up the scree. There are no cairns. Aim for the peak and as you go up you'll clearly see patches of dirt with footsteps to the path(s) of least resistance others have taken to get to the top. The peak will naturally shield you from winds coming out of the west.

Shavano to Tabegauche Out and Back

No cairns. Stay more to the top of the ridge and pay attention to the bits of path that have formed for the path of least resistance. This will be a gradual descent down to the saddle. There is no distinct route up to Tabegauche and ascending goes surprisingly quick, there is a foxhole to shield from the wind at the top. The return is basically the same with a quick descent and gentler ascent back up Shavano.

Returning to the Trailhead

After coming back down Shavano and the saddle, it's a steep descent to treeline and stays steep for a while. Descent bit of loose dirt means some potential slipping and sliding so expect a decent bit of sunshine while descending in the afternoon, plus being significantly warmer. If you can delayer you'll be a fair bit more comfortable on this part of the hike.

Comments or Questions

PeakSeeker2656

Thanks for the info
6/22/2025 12:12pm

Planning on climbing in early July - thanks for the info! Esp. on the drive up to the TH.
Congrats on getting to both peaks!
- Tina

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