Mt. Sneffels Trip Report 07/21/2008

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Mt. Sneffels - 14,155 feet
Date Posted	07/21/2008
Date Climbed	07/10/2008
Author	Athos791

Mt. Sneffles 2nd 14er
After hiking around Owl Creek Wednesday, we headed to Mt. Sneffles Thursday morning. This hike offered some awesome views, and was to say the least, challenging. Rather than a walk up like Handies, Sneffles offered a very large, steep scree/talus gulley that just puts a damper on your spirit. After you reach the top of the gulley, you are greeted with an even steeper one, which thankfully is not nearly as long! The snow was very slushy and slid out from under your feet. And with a cliff to fall off of, the rib seemed like the better choice. After ascending further, you eventually reach the summit! Unfortunately it wasn't as close as the sign made it out to be! Rock formations. There was a rockslide in the steep chute in the middle on our way down... not sure what caused it. The first main gulley. Pictures can not capture its size/steepness hehe. Views of the basin. Yankee Boy Basin. Taken from the top of the saddle. Looking up the chute. The dry route! Nearly at the top! Summit Register. Blue Lakes The breathtaking San Juan's Snow scattered over the surrounding peaks. A friend on the summit Massive gulley... That spec is a person... Views while descending. I love this formation! Stream along the switch backed road back to where it was closed/our parking area. Wildflowers. Mountain sunflowers I believe... Sneffles made for an awesome second 14er, but was definitely the most challenging of the three that we did. Couple the extreme steepness with the extra 2 miles that we had to add to the begining and end of our hike on the road, it made for a pretty long day to be spent on talus... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt. Sneffles 2nd 14er

After hiking around Owl Creek Wednesday, we headed to Mt. Sneffles Thursday morning. This hike offered some awesome views, and was to say the least, challenging. Rather than a walk up like Handies, Sneffles offered a very large, steep scree/talus gulley that just puts a damper on your spirit. After you reach the top of the gulley, you are greeted with an even steeper one, which thankfully is not nearly as long! The snow was very slushy and slid out from under your feet. And with a cliff to fall off of, the rib seemed like the better choice. After ascending further, you eventually reach the summit!

Unfortunately it wasn't as close as the sign made it out to be!

Rock formations. There was a rockslide in the steep chute in the middle on our way down... not sure what caused it.

The first main gulley. Pictures can not capture its size/steepness hehe.

Views of the basin.

Yankee Boy Basin.

Taken from the top of the saddle.

Looking up the chute.

The dry route!

Nearly at the top!

Summit Register.

Blue Lakes

The breathtaking San Juan's

Snow scattered over the surrounding peaks.

A friend on the summit

Massive gulley... That spec is a person...

Views while descending.

I love this formation!

Stream along the switch backed road back to where it was closed/our parking area.

Wildflowers.

Mountain sunflowers I believe...

Sneffles made for an awesome second 14er, but was definitely the most challenging of the three that we did. Couple the extreme steepness with the extra 2 miles that we had to add to the begining and end of our hike on the road, it made for a pretty long day to be spent on talus...

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions
Not registered?

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App