July, 2009: Snowmass Peak, Hagerman Peak and Snowmass Mountain seen from Snowmass Lake. The route most commonly used to climb Snowmass Mountain is the Snowmass Creek approach. Equally, Snowmass ski resort lies some distance to the north-east of the mountain near Aspen, the hub of world-class skiing in the area. Snowmass now has two impressive rock climbing walls — one for summer at the top of Elk Camp, and one for all seasons indoors at the Limelight Hotel Snowmass.The 54-foot-tall feature includes three lanes for simultaneous climbing and is the tallest indoor climbing wall in Colorado. Most people hike to the lake, camp the night and then proceed to the top. Snowmass Mountain's summit is small, exciting, and very breezy. Apparently, they would descend to the scree field on do a long rope hoist operation. Descend via the same route, or alternatively follow the Normal Route down to Snowmass Lake. With an AMGA trained or certified mountain guide from Aspen Expeditions, you'll be able to enjoy this exciting part of the climb with confidence and safety. Need help discovering your next adventure? Snowmass Mountain is one of the most isolated of the Colorado 14ers. Location: The guide will be in touch with you the day before to determine your meeting place and any miscellaneous details. All the rest of them are far more difficult and dangerous to climb. The three of them were surveyors for the Hayden Geological Survey, which began in Yellowstone in 1871. Follow the western shore of Geneva Lake and begin climbing a series of small hills, following directions for Camp #4, eventually reaching Little Gem Lake. The steep sides of these peaks don’t allow much to grow on the higher reaches. may be just the adventure for you. Its eastern flank holds an immense snowfield, which descends to a snow-filled basin above the lake. This was a big one for me – third attempt and a hard mountain. You will then continue climbing to the unmistakable "knife-edge." Higher up, subalpine firs take over with gaps between them populated by alpine meadows. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. We also guide Mount Elbert (the highest of the 54-14ers), and La Plata (the fifth highest). If the trip begins (0-2 hours in), you will be charged for a full day hike, with a credit in the difference of price, which can go towards a rescheduled trip with us. It is a 13 km (8.1 miles) trail beginning at the Snowmass Creek trailhead, found in a well signposted car park at the end of Snowmass CreekRoad. July, 2008: Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak (right) seen from North Maroon Peak. For weather and extenuating circumstances: if when you reach the trailhead and the guide calls the day off, you will be entitled to a full reschedule. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions. Beginning at the trailhead (2,966 m/ 9,730 ft), head north to reach Geneva Lake, with the ridgeline in view up ahead of you. Taking either gully, you gain the southern end of the ridgeline and begin a classic class III scramble north, following the ridgeline all the way to the Snowmass Mountain summit. Finally, there are two places called Snowmass, one a village and the other a town. With a more prominent, steep summit and a close proximity to the popular camping spot of Snowmass Lake, it is often confused with its taller neighbour. There is a lot of yellow-colored rock that is smooth rock, with mild exfoliation, that is preferred over the talus of the white granite. ©2020 Explore-Share - All rights reserved. Maroon Peak lies 8 km (5 miles) to the south-east at the opposite end of Snowmass Creek, while Capitol Peak lies 3.2 km (2 miles) to the north-east, accessible via a frighteningly thin ridgeline. Please call 970-925-7625 for any questions. The Day - Meet your guide at your pre-determined location and head to the Capitol Lake trailhead parking lot. Snowmass Mountain's summit is small, exciting, and very breezy. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due. It is from these first summiteers that the mountain got its name, ignoring the offerings from the local people or early pioneers (see above). Knowing I'd already be in Vail for the Teva Mountain Games on Saturday, I figured Sunday would be a great time to get away. In nearby Aspen and Snowmass village, bear sightings are big news, though this is certainly not always positive. This puts climbers more than .25 miles closer to the summit than from the saddle, and the route is marked with cairns from that point to the summit. AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. Yet other names for the peak existed before this. Towards the top, head right and traverse the rocky slope to gain the next gullies. July, 2009: Taken during a climb of Snowmass. This climb has 2-day, 3-day, and horse-supported options available; please speak to our office to determine the best fit for you/your group! This pass allows you to … You'll camp at Capitol Lake and enjoy first class mountain scenery underneath Capitol's northwest face, saddling up early for your summit day the next morning. This world-class climb has earned the reputation as one of the most difficult 14,000' peaks in Colorado, largely due to its' famously exposed 'knife-edge' ridge. Once we got to the base of the cliffs, we got our first glimpse of blue skies; we could tell that we were about to climb over the ridge and out of the clouds. It is suggested that you maintain a good level of physical fitness, as these climbs are challenging. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. Yet moose potentially pose an even larger problem to humans. In the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area, one of the more challenging but more thrilling hikes is called the Four Pass Loop. The knife-edge is a 100-foot-long, horizontal stretch of ridge. You will begin the approach well before dawn. The route is marked by cairns in the summer and by the visible end point in spring. Snowmass Lake is down to the left and the ridge we’d crested is down to the right. The simplest Colorado ascent of all is Pikes Peak (4,302 m/ 14,155 ft), where you can drive straight to the summit! In summer, marmots and pikas can be spotted running swiftly between their hiding places. It was clear that the helicopter was going to do a recovery operation, and with the wind gusting, I thought the pilot came on strong. It is a large obstacle that requires a couple of jumps from log to log, but it is safe and precludes wading through the creek. The final part of this ascent is a sustained class III effort along a very narrow ridgeline. The Indoor Climbing Wall is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. From the saddle, you will make a descending traverse south into the basin. We had been told to stay to the right of the scree field, and stick to the vegetation near the creek that flows over the headwall and feeds Snowmass Lake, and that was good advice. If you choose to cancel 2 weeks or more (3 weeks or more for multi-day trips of 5+ people) prior to your scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund. Start times will vary based on the weather forecast but plan on hiking by 6am. You can read more on the formation of these peaks in our Rocky Mountains article. Our AMGA trained and certified mountain guides will tailor a memorable, one-of-a-kind climbing adventure just for you! Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Snowmass Peak and Castle Peak. Think about what type of foods you want to eat while climbing in the backcountry and coordinate with your guide. ), and a 3% USFS land use surcharge. The 54-foot-tall feature includes three lanes for simultaneous climbing and is the tallest indoor climbing wall in Colorado. Today, Snowmass Mountain is more commonly confused by sight and name with other prominent features that reside nearby. Many of the search and rescue personnel we encountered told us of the mishap and encouraged us to be careful during our climb the next day. It cannot be seen from any road and to reach the trailhead for the most popular hike, for example, you must first hike 13 km (8.1 miles) up Snowmass Creek from the nearest car park to reach Snowmass Lake. Browse through thousands of trips offered by professional local guides around the world. Castle Peak is the only 14er in the range that is easier to climb then Snowmass. A regular victim of mistaken identity, Snowmass Mountain is often confused with its near neighbours: Snowmass Peak (4,151 m/ 13,620 ft) and Hagerman Peak (4,219 m/ 13,841 ft). You’d be advised to listen to carefully, and follow guidelines, when you visit. To the south-west of the mountain lies Geneva Lake and to the south-east is Snowmass Lake, a larger lake often used as the overnight stop on summit hikes. Please note: AEW's number one priority is your safety. Snowmass Mountain Climbing Notes. Young and experienced climbers love to extol the virtues of Snowmass Mountain, the most remotely-accessed fourteener and a member of the Elk Range near Aspen. Offering the unique ability to alpine climb on snow for most of the summer, Snowmass Mountain (14,092') is an ideal setting for the "new-to-snow 14'er climber". Surprisingly enough, this five day circuit passes over some of the highest passes in the region, reaching a high point of 3,798 m (12,462 ft) at Buckskin Pass. You will continue the ascend towards the summit. Very cold wind greeted us on the summit. Snowmass is a prominent, isolated peak that rises to the west of beautiful Snowmass Lake. Mule deer, moose, elk, black bears, mountain lions and coyotes are some of the larger creatures, while bighorn sheep are easily spotted on the slopes. We had a great meal, plenty of whiskey, and then settled down for the night. Snowmass Mountain lies with the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of central Colorado. Climbing from the lake, next to a 1,000' waterfall, through a boulder field, across snowfields and steeper slopes, attaining a rocky ridge and steep ledges to the summit - Snowmass Mountain truly offers it all. At about 12,800, the pitch becomes steeper, the yellow rock fades, and the climb involves a simple Class 3 climb over large granite blocks. Aspen Expeditions reserves the right to turn around or change routes without refunds or credits under any conditions. Early pioneers called it The Twins, due to its appearance as having two distinct summits (the other being today’s Snowmass Peak). Elbert (14,439'). We arrived at the trailhead at 1800. There are great campsites and the lake is very scenic. Go for long runs or bike rides - try to increase your cardiovascular health. The trail along the south side of the lake requires mild bushwhacking through willows, and with the previous night's rain still on the vegetation, we were soaked to the skin by the time we arrived at the base of the scree field. You would be advised to consider alternative routes up the mountain from mid-summer onwards. Fitness Level: You should maintain an overall general level of fitness as this climb is challenging. Located just one hour from downtown Aspen, lies the tallest and perhaps one of the easier of all of Colorado's 58, 14'ers - Mt. The route passes closest to Snowmass Mountain via the Trail Rider Pass, to the south-east of the massif, before skirting the south of Snowmass Lake. The trail is rather unremarkable, with good views to right of both the Copper Creek and Bear Creek drainages.