Snowmass Mountain-Elevation 14,092
Route- Big Bowl from Snowmass Lake (Standard)
Possible Trailhead- Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead, Elevation 8,390 (Old Snowmass)
Elevation gain from TH to Summit-5,702
Round Trip Milage-23 miles
Round Trip Time for one day (trailhead back to trailhead)- 14-17 hours
Mileage to Lake Camping and Base camp-8
Recommended Seasons-Summer, Spring, Fall

Getting to the Trailhead...

See Main Page. You want Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead, AKA Snowmass Creek Trailhead, that starts near Old Snowmass.

Route Description

For an overnight trip (recommended):
Start at Maroon Snowmass Trailhead and register at the box. I recommend starting your day to Snowmass Lake before 9am. The hike is 8 miles to the lake and has an elevation gain of 2,590ft. Most of the elevation gain is in the last 2 miles to the lake. From the east shore of the lake it is an additional 3.5 miles to the summit with 3,112ft to the summit.

For a one day “Hellithon” Summit:
Start at Maroon Snowmass Trailhead. I recommend starting your day to the summit and back before 4am. The hike is 8 miles to the lake and has an elevation gain of 2,590ft. Most of the elevation gain is in the last 2 miles to the lake. From the east shore of the lake it is an additional 3.5 miles to the summit with 3,112ft to the summit. Ascend and descend the same route. Total mileage is 23 miles and takes 14-17 hours. I brought 100oz camelback and was ok, but I would recommend stashing extra water at the lake or bringing a filter to replenish your supply. Note: doing this route in one day will kick your ass!! Be prepared!!

Mileage landmarks:
The trail is pretty flat until 4 miles in. At 1.76 miles in you will reach the last of three gates. At around 3 miles in you will see the first of several large (room size) boulders on your right. At around the 4 mile mark there is a great view of North Snowmass Mountain and the north face of the ridge that borders the Pierre Lake basin’s south flank. This is a good rest spot. See picture below.

North Snowmass Mountain and Pierre Lake Basin From Maroon Snowmass Trail, at 4 miles

At around 5 miles you will come to a flat, open, flood plain. This area consists of ponds and meandering streams. See picture below.

Oxbow Lake Area at 5 Miles

At around 5.5 miles is an obvious creek crossing using a logjam. See picture below.

Logjam Bridge at Oxbow lake area. 5.5 Miles

At around 6 miles the trail consists of large switchbacks and rocky trail that goes through the woods. At 7.5 miles there is a sign that splits the trail. Your destination is “Snowmass Lake” (duh). Once at the lake, there are around 7 “legal” camp spots and enough room for 25 “illegal” camp spots. No campfires are allowed within .5 miles of the lake. No horses are allowed to be staged within .5 miles of the lake. And camping must be 100 feet away from the trail or lake. Hiking to the lake with an overnight pack takes about 5 hours. These are some pictures of your view and the route for the summit.

Snowmass Mountain and boulder field

Snowmass

Snowmass Peak, NOT Snowmass Mountain

Route in Red

Snowmass Mountain in August

From the east shore of the lake, follow the well worn trail on the south shore (left side) of the lake. If it has rained or is raining, you will get soaked from the moisture on the vegetation, so wear raingear. If you start to get far above the lake you are on the wrong trail that takes you to Trailrider Pass. A picture of the correct trail is pictured below.

Lake Trail

Once at the West side of the lake. Continue on one of the many cairned routes that follow the basic path outlined in the picture two above.

Once you have gained the top of the big boulder scree, you will see this view.

Ridge and Summit

Aim for the summit as a bearing and start truckin’. There are many cairns along the way but the fastest way is to shoot a straight for the summit block.

The easiest way to gain the ridge is the gully/slot pictured below. This area is steep and requires care.

Ridge and Summit route

Once on the ridge you will climb the boulders on the west face in a southerly direction following the obvious route to the summit. The last 60 feet of the summit block require some hand and foot climbing. From the east side of the lake to the summit is 3.5 miles and around 4-5hours. See pictures below.

Summit route on the west side of the ridge

Summit

View near the summit looking East. The Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak are visible.

Follow your ascent route back down. You can utilize the snowfields and glissade, if you are “man” enough. Ascent mileage to the east shore is 3.5 miles and takes 2.5-4 hours.

Lake view on the way down

Essential Gear

Essential Gear and final thoughts (some repeated from above):

I brought 100oz camelback and was ok, but I would recommend stashing extra water at the lake or bringing a filter to replenish your supply.

Note: doing this route in one day will kick your ass!! Be prepared!!

The trail near the south side of the lake has a lot of vegetation. If it has rained or is raining, you will get soaked from the moisture on the vegetation, so wear raingear.

Anytime:
Helmet
Leather Gloves
Headlamp
Cellphone (there is reception at the top, for an emergency)

If you are staying overnight:
Water Filter
Stove (because fires aren't allowed at the lake)
Bear Mace

Red Tape and Camping

Once at the lake, there are around 7 “legal” camp spots and enough room for 25 “illegal” camp spots. No campfires are allowed within .5 miles of the lake. No horses are allowed to be staged within .5 miles of the lake. And camping must be 100 feet away from the trail or lake.

Camping

Seasons to climb...

Late Spring-May through June: Lots of Snow. You can ski it.

Summer Late-June through August: Snow still around but not as much

Early Fall-September: Snow melted mostly but new stuff on the way

Winter-October through May: Conditions mileage and total hike times are unknown to this Summitposter. Snow is for certain. Death...a possiblity.

Images



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