| Snowmass Lake Variation - Steep Snow Route |
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| Snowmass Lake Variation - Steep Snow   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Route Type: Mountaineering Season: Spring Time Required: A few days Rock Difficulty: Class 4 Difficulty: Class 3 & 4 - Steep Snow
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| Page By: altitude14er Created/Edited: Jun 27, 2006 / Jun 27, 2006 Object ID: 203236 Hits: 885 Loading... Page Score: 63.88% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview & Route DescriptionThis climb is similar, but much more difficult than the standard eastern slopes route from Snowmass Lake (10,980ft.). I first learned of this variation from the Gerry Roach book entitled "Colorado's Fourteeners". Begin at the Snowmass Creek Trailhead. Follow this well defined trail for 8 miles and gain 2,600ft. in order to reach Snowmass Lake. Camping abounds within a few hundred feet of the lake.
Follow the trail on the lakes south side to the bottom of the steep scree slope. Choose a path either to the left or right side of the scree and climb upward. Get above this cursed scree and you will reach the infamous snowfield. From the snowfield, Snowmass Mtn. is to your northwest. Hagerman & Snowmass are to your left (south). DO NOT aim for the large, round protrusion sitting halfway up the saddle on snowmass-hagerman ridge!
Instead, shoot for the series of small couloirs that face northeast (Red Line - Above Photo), leading practically straight to the summit. The snow near the top of the couloirs is much steeper than it looks from below. On 6-24-2006 my group encountered 65 degree, unstable-mushy snow. If the snow is unpleasent in the couloir, one can escape by climbing the loose rock bands that lead to the summit. Don't forget to be cautious climbing with cramp-ons near the rocks, they tend to be deeply surrounded by ice. Once on top, enjoy your hard earned view.
Getting ThereTake CO 82 to the town of Snowmass in the glorious State of Colorado, turn west onto Snowmass Creek Road and go to a T-Intersection after 1.8 miles. Turn left at this junction and follow the road straight. It becomes dirt but is in pretty great shape for 2WD-low clearance vehicles. Travel just over 11 miles and reach another T-intersection, swing a right and reach the trailhead abruptly. Essential GearLate May & June: Cramp-Ons with compatible boots, Ice-Axes & Helmut Recommended! Also, knowledge of climbing snow, self arresting & avalanche savy. Images
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