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Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:31 am
by CSUMarmot
Flattlander wrote: I'm considering Mt Elbert as the 'walkup' type of thing.

Elbert is a great one that I (although in the summer) didn't think was difficult at all as my first 14er. Because of the popularity there may very well be a packed trail all the way to the top, so you mmight not need to use snowshoes (but bring them just in case). I'd suggest the north trail from Halfmoon creek
http://www.summitpost.org/north-mount-elbert-trail-ne-ridge/681916

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:08 am
by spiritualspatula
If you are set on wanting to do a 14'er, as somebody else mentioned, Quandary is a really good choice, especially for avalanche danger.http://www.summitpost.org/quandary-trail-east-ridge/159118 I didn't even think to mention avalanche awareness, I just assumed that went without saying, but it's a good point. Along those lines, though- http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php. But really, there are lots of other super fun, interesting, and less visited areas to choose from if you expand beyond having to do a 14'er, though I do understand that it's one of the Colorado THINGS to do so draws your attention.

And Fletch, if it makes you feel any better, one of my friends who has lived here their whole life was bitching about blustery in the reports just the other day.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:43 am
by Flattlander
I'm definitely not married to the idea of doing a 14er or a well-known peak. I'm sure there are obscure gems out there of various altitudes.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:32 pm
by sneakyracer
Pikes via Barr Trail is a must. Its best if you make it an overnight trip and stay in Barr Camp. It is a wonderful place. Most of the trail is below treeline but has nice view every once in a while. Once above the a-frame its wide open. View are impressive because there is a huge vertical relief over Colorado Springs (elev. 6000ft+-) and other hills in the area. The alpine terrain is barren but the cirque (off to the left on one of the switchbacks on the trail, there is a sign), bottomless pit (to the right of the trail, can be seen from above if you go on the pikes road or as a detour from barr trail) and specially the couloirs off Devil's Playground are a must see (on the road up to pikes). Beware of wind, the terrain is very exposed up there, nowehere to hide, and its almost always windy (20-40mph is the norm)

Besides that there are lots of other novice hikes in Colorado (like the ones mentioned) that have great views and terrain. Its always best to team up with a local. It will reduce the stress and maximize safety and enjoyment. But even alone there is plenty of good beta available and most trails are well used. Go prepared and you will have a lot of fun.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:46 pm
by pyerger
When the time gets closer, you can try fourteeners.com, for snow, weather,and trip reports. If you post your original question on there web sight, you will get 100s maybe 1000s of ideas!

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:49 pm
by BigMitch
In April, you can reasonably expect to be completely alone on Elbert.

When I did Elbert from the East on a first weekend of May, it was an easy snowshoe up to about the last 1000 feet or so. Then, you will appreciate an ice ax or two while you kick steps into the steep terrain. I was also completely alone on the mountain on a weekend.

I seem to recall a scary-looking cornice on the NE route from Halfmoon.

As I suggested above, go by the info in Dawson's books. Dawson writes for skiers and snow climbers and addresses the avalanche and cornice conditions on each route.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:06 pm
by elichten
This thread is just what I was looking for! I have vitrually the same question with a twist: I will be in Denver in April, but will only have one day free. What's the closest to Denver that I could get up and down in a long day?

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:11 pm
by JonW
elichten wrote:This thread is just what I was looking for! I have vitrually the same question with a twist: I will be in Denver in April, but will only have one day free. What's the closest to Denver that I could get up and down in a long day?


If you're set on a 14er, I would recommend Quandry Peak. Less than a 2 hr drive from Denver, easy parking situation, and straightforward route with little/no avi danger. If you have the time on the way home, I would recommend taking 9 South to 285 North to get back to Denver. A scenic drive with no traffic for only a little extra driving time (assuming no traffic on I70).

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:51 pm
by pyerger
Quandary! :D

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 4:15 pm
by elichten
Ok, Quandary it is! I'll be out there this Saturday if anyone wants to join me.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:05 am
by Flattlander
If anyone cares, I topped out on Quandary in abysmal conditions (which made it cool) in late May. Kind of challenging because of wind and whiteout, but more fun than anything. It was like winter all over again--deep, heavy snow. A lot of trail heads were still a no-go for my rented Kia piece of shit. Colorado is nice, and I will come back to visit many times, drink many Dale's Pale Ales. Thanks all for your varied and sometimes conflicting opinions.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:00 am
by rockymtnclimber
Thanks for the update. I'm glad to see that after all that bickering, there's actually a climbing note at the end.

Now, I have can go back to laughing about all this talk about Coloradans and their 14ers. Where I come from (WA state), we laugh about how the crazy Coloradans have no business coming up and trying to do Rainier, thinking it's just another 14er. I happened to top out on Rainier at 16 years old with 2 guys from CO, and it was painfully obvious that I was more confortable and competent on snow and ice than they were. I guess we're probably all more comfortable on our home turf.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:29 am
by spiritualspatula
Glad to hear everything went well for your climb and that you enjoyed it.
Good choice on the Oskar Blues- I don't think they make one I'm not fond of. We've got tons and tons of great beer out here, so drink up.
Also, I didn't mean to sound derogatory in describing the snow out east- I was using junk like crap you have to deal with conditions wise. Sorta sounded like an ass rereading that there...

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:38 am
by mconnell
rockymtnclimber wrote:Thanks for the update. I'm glad to see that after all that bickering, there's actually a climbing note at the end.

Now, I have can go back to laughing about all this talk about Coloradans and their 14ers. Where I come from (WA state), we laugh about how the crazy Coloradans have no business coming up and trying to do Rainier, thinking it's just another 14er. I happened to top out on Rainier at 16 years old with 2 guys from CO, and it was painfully obvious that I was more confortable and competent on snow and ice than they were. I guess we're probably all more comfortable on our home turf.


Despite what those from WA might say, Rainier is just another 14er. A fun one, but still just a 14er.

Re: Colorado in April

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:11 am
by Flattlander
Sincere thanks, guys! I'm glad I got to have a mountain adventure while I was in Colorado, and to feel what it is like to snowshoe through heavy snow at 14,000 feet (a lot like snowshoeing in my yard in Vermont, except I was less drunk).

Funny that it took all of about three comments since my update to get the bickering going again. "My mountain is scarier than your mountain," and such. I'm sure there are hard things to do in the Rockies as well as on Rainier. Hell, I don't know if anyone's ever told you guys, but there are even opportunities to kill yourself climbing here in New England :)

We are all lucky to live in places with mountains nearby, to be sure. Trust me, I'm from Jersey, and I didn't even know I liked mountains until a couple years ago when I moved to VT. I used to hike to the deli and get a pork roll, egg and cheese. I used to climb out of bed and go to WaWa.

I would be honored and excited to stand on top of Rainier or Little Bear.