My girlfriend and I want to hike at Kenosha Pass in the first week of May. Based on current conditions, might it be possible to reach North Twin Cone by that time without too much snow?

Hard to say. There isn't that much snow around there right now, but April is probably the snowiest month in that area.

I suspect you will be ok the time of year you specify, of course depending on storms between now and then.

About 2 weeks ago, I was on a peak across the valley from North Twin Cone and the cone looked dry, dry, dry.

I summited this peak 19 January this year. People with customized rigs with swamper tires were still driving up the road to North Twin Cone Peak. At any rate, the 4x4 traffic serves to keep a two-rut trench packed down into the road. Should you follow the road to its end (instead of bashing through willows and deep powder as Tonka, Krista and I chose to do...) you should face very little wallowing between leaving the road and before hitting the wind-blown rock.

Enjoy!

I noticed the big snows hit and left a lot of snow now at Kenosha Pass. Looks like snow will continue through the week. May 4, I am taking my girlfriend through Highway 67 to Deckers, and up to 285 at Bailey, then down through Kenosha Pass, then up past Breckenridge, then to Vail.

If there is still too much snow at Kenosha Pass, any recommendations for hikes up to 9,000-11,000'?
Maybe in Pike National Forest? Nothing too hard to access. Maybe 6 to 8 miles round trip, 1,500-2,000' of elevation gain? Something with a trail?

Any suggestions in the area between Castle Rock and Breckenridge are appreciated!

Drove over Kenosha before this latest storm cycle, and there was still a good amount of snow in the trees - especially so on n/ne aspects. Moreso after the storms.

I would expect atleast some lingering snow up there come May 4.

How about something in the Cheesman Lake area?

A couple options come immediately to mind:

1. Long Scraggy Peak - should not have a lot of snow to contend with
http://www.summitpost.org/long-scraggy-peak/153535

2. North Star (Higher than target elevation range, but is ridgerun)
http://www.summitpost.org/north-star-mountain/154261

3. Rosalie Peak (Higher than your target elevation, but popular snow season peak)
http://www.summitpost.org/rosalie-peak/152512

If one of these peaks isn't right for you, search area around them for other ideas. The challenge with 10ers and 11ers will be wallowing in deep snow in the trees + bushwhacking. To this regard, a well-traveled 13er may actually present a less arduous challenge than a more obscure 9-11k peak.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah,

My girlfriend is still a beginner. We really only have a few hours to hike. So looking for something a little easier. Say, not far of 285 or Highway 9?

hgrapid wrote:Thanks Sarah,

My girlfriend is still a beginner. We really only have a few hours to hike. So looking for something a little easier. Say, not far of 285 or Highway 9?

Just for a hike without summit, you can park at the Lincoln Falls parking (Off of CR4, south of Hoosier Pass) and hike up the valley. There are also some decent hikes up around Pacific Peak on the north side of Hoosier. I can also send you directions if you are interested to a 3-4 mile hike (can be extended) just west of Woodland Park, so probably 3-4 miles out of your way. It's a moderate trail with nice views of Pikes Peak from the NW. Trails not too bad, it's where I run fairly often and I'm old and out of shape. IM me if you want directions.

Ah, now I see the route to North Star Mountain. Hoosier Pass might work, but I worry it will be a snowfield still on May 4th. How about South Tarryall Peak? Is Tarryall Road paved most of the way? That might be a cool spot! Anything off that road worth checking out???

North Star almost never has snow since it is really just a ridge walk. A couple weeks ago, there was only one section with snow. It was about a 50' traverse but was pretty steep and icy. Slipping probably would result in any damage except for a pissed off girlfriend. By the time you are there, there should be a pretty good trail.

Tarryall Road is paved the entire way. There is a nice walk near Lake George heading up towards McCurdy Park. It's an out and back trail, so you can turn around at any time. There isn't much snow there now (I live about 10 miles from there). I personally don't like Tarryall Road since it winds around a lot and takes a long time. I personally prefer going down 67 as you first mentioned (even though a lot of it was burned in the Hayman fire and still shows a lot of scarring.)

Can I take the Lizard Rock trail up South Tarryall?
I think the Lizard Rock trail seems the best option for us.

Any details?

I haven't been up that trail. If enough of today's snow melts off, I might make that my destination for running this weekend. If so, I will let you know.

Any updates today on Lost Creek Wilderness towards South Tarryall? Seems like Kenosha Pass got a thorough snow-lashing!

I'm a little ways E of LCW, but there was about 3-4" on the ground yesterday at 9500'. Not really enough to be over the top of my trailrunners. Most of it had melted off by late afternoon, but it looks like a couple more inches tonight but warm temps over the weekend should get rid of that pretty quickly.

+1 what mcconnel has to say. I was in the area this weekend and there are just patches of snow here and there up to 10k feet.

Note that there is construction on an 11 mile stretch of Park County 77. Learn more here: http://prdp2fs.ess.usda.gov/detail/psic ... RDB5415503

Yesterday, as I drove past the trailheads along that road / near South Tarryall, it appears the THs are still accessible. I would keep tabs on the situation, however, to avoid disappointments.

Have fun!