Posted by:
Roam Around (IP Logged)
Date: April 01, 2008 08:59PM
Memorial Day Weekend - depart Denver Friday evening, May 23, return to Denver Monday May 26.
West Snowmass Creek approach to Snowmass Lake. Camp at Snowmass Lake. Climb Snowmass Mtn (14,092)
Snowmass Mtn is one of the most remote 14ers in Colorado, it can't be seen from any town or highway. It's also one of the easiest climbs of all the 14ers in the Elk Range - which says a lot about the Elk Range - it's easiest route is a Class 3 scramble up the slopes above Snowmass Lake and an ascent up its namesake snowfield.
Conditions this weekend won't really be known until we get there - but hopefully i can get some info from others that trek in the area as teh time approaches. For now, lets assume that snowshoes and crampons along with a mountaineering ice axe will be necessary.
The approach up W. Snowmass Creek is roughly 7 miles and all uphill - including a crossing of the creek on a beaver dam - which might be inundated with spring runoff at this time of year.
It'll be a full value trip - it'll be a lot of fun.
Camping at Snowmass Lake is spectacular in its own right - and this time of year we should be ahead of the major crowds that frequent the lake in summer.
This is one of the only places in CO that I've gone back to on a backpacking trip and this will make my third time camping here.
