Telluride-area 14ers?

Since we'll be in T-ride this week for the bluegrass festival, we're thining about kicking out a 14er - it's can't be terribly involved or too far, since we'll want to be back for the music...

...but at first glance, Mt Sneffels looks pretty close and quick; but I'm wondering if the trail is passable yet, or we'll need snowshoes?

Some of the stuff at the 11k level here is still snowpacked, any reports from the San Juans would be apprecicated.

(oh, and we're looking to hike it, not ski it! :rolleyes: )

Might head over Ophir Pass way, Red Baron. Short hop from Telluride. Don't know about snowpack now, but I'd bet you could find whatever you're looking for there - breez????

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Originally posted by Tap
RB -

Sneffels is a pretty easy 14'er if the road is open, and the wildflowers are fantastic. It's cool how Sneffels sits right out on the front of the range, so you look over Montrose all the way to Grand Junction.

good luck, have fun at Bluegrass...

and if'n you're looking for a real adventure, I could tell you how to locate my old cave/cabin in Bear Creek ;)

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This is a really nice, easy-ish one. I've done it a few times. I don't have time to explain it now or search for it right now, but there's at least one pretty good write-up on this board about it. If you do a search, I'm sure you'll come across it.

Wilson Peak is another fairly easy jaunt. Plus it has the bonus of bragging rights since it is very visible from Telluride.

I was in the San Juans over memorial day weekend and there was quite a bit of snow then and there will definitely be some snow en route, bring your crampons and ice axe and climb the snake couloir, it's supposed to be classic. Good access, mostly 40 degrees, pushing 50 at the top. On any route up Sneffles at this time of year I would take ice axe and crampons just in case. Enjoy, the beauty of the San Juans is sublime.

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Originally posted by Ireallyliketoski
I was in the San Juans over memorial day weekend and there was quite a bit of snow then and there will definitely be some snow en route, bring your crampons and ice axe and climb the snake couloir, it's supposed to be classic. Good access, mostly 40 degrees, pushing 50 at the top. On any route up Sneffles at this time of year I would take ice axe and crampons just in case. Enjoy, the beauty of the San Juans is sublime.

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I did Snake coulior a couple years back around July 1. Conditions were okay. Had the whole mountain to myself. Even the summit was empty, except for the voraious marmots who look very much like sewer rates. Regardless, I think this falls into the "too involved" catergory.

Another vote for Wilson. There's a couple of good ski descents off that one too. I wish I was heading down there this weekend. Bluegrass, beers, and San Juan skiing = :cool: :cool:

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Originally posted by Red Baron

...but at first glance, Mt Sneffels looks pretty close and quick; but I'm wondering if the trail is passable yet, or we'll need snowshoes?

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i did this one three years ago during the Bluegrass Fest in a similar snow year. Pretty easyish and no snowshoes needed. However, there was a pretty hairy ascent/descent that it was nice to have crampons or an ice axe for. This was right below the summit on the northeast side. Pretty steep section and my buddy freaked out cause he was without ice axe on the way down. Hiked up to him and gave him mine. A fall and slide for life might have done some damage, though the chute with snow might have only been 50 yards long.

The main, most common path up Sneffels is the south bowl. It's south facing, so it looses its snow notoriously quickly. It's generally clear driving in June to the trailhead (at 12,500'). You'll certainly encounter some snow in the area that jdbasin was talking about on one of the two chutes that you have to hike up along the east ridge (they're short, not worth lugging up skis to). If there's a lot of snow, the chute to the left is easier. If there's not much snow, the chute to the left exposes a cliff band that requires some Class 4 climbing to get up. The chute on the right is all easy scrambling (although you'll probably get wet from any snow that's there) until you get to a very short little Class 3 ledge/nook that you have to scramble across to get up to the top.

Better yet, you can do a whole lot more Class 3 scrambling along the southern ridge that heads north from Blue Lake Pass to the summit. It's way more interesting, more fun. Then you can take a cheater, easy way down on the route shown below.

http://www.14ers.com/photos/MtSneffe...fels_Topo1.jpg

It's a great little hike - loads of fun, easy access, incredible vistas. It's hard not to have a good time up there (unless you get hit with altatude sickness like I got once up there).

Whatever you do or wherever you go, give us a TR with pics!

You can drive up to the outhouse up Yankee Boy right now, making for quick access up the southern side of Sneffels. There
is still snow up there so bring the appropriate gear. The weather
has been stormy in the afternoons.