Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September, 1995
Climbed with Aaron and Mark. Probably this (the West Ridge) is the most direct route, but it's still a long day, with much class three bouldering, and some class four manuevering to lift yourself onto the summit. It's worth it--this is one of my favorite Colorado mountains!
Aaron and I went to the upper basin earlier (I don't remember the year), and spent what to my mind is the most memorable night I've ever had in the mountains. A front stalled out directly over Snowmass, and as it kind of ebbed and flowed over us formed thunderstorm after thunderstorm. We were camped right at timberline, and the lightning and thunder were so intense I remember it sounding like huge marbles were rolling across the sky! Maybe I should have been afraid, but it was too huge a sounding night to do anything but listen, and be amazed! I'll never forget it...
Next morning, the peak was covered with snow, so we turned around.
Route Climbed: standard route up snowfield from Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: August 17, 2003
There really wasn't a snowfield. We crossed one very small patch of snow, but that was it. The climb is very straight forward. The bottom of the mountain is a mess. You will slip and slide all over the place because of the loose pebbles and dirt. Wear gaitors to avoid pebbles in shoes. The summit was nice, and camping at Snowmass Lake was a bonus.
Route Climbed: Eastern slopes from Snomass Lake Date Climbed: July 5th, 2003
Summitted on a picture-perfect July day. Snow was packed and offered lots of opportunities to slide back down. My friend from Missouri made it to the ridge before stopping due to a lack of oxygen. Definitely my favorite peak to date.
Route Climbed: The Big Bowl via Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: October 11, 2003
There was sadly no snow to enjoy on this autumn day. On the plus side, we didn't see a single person, aside from one Snowmass summitter we saw from afar, who must have come from Lead King Basin. A TR is available here.
Route Climbed: W slopes from Lead King basin Date Climbed: July 21, 2003
4WD approach from 9700 ft. Lots of class 3 loose rock on the W slopes. 4 hours to summit. Descended ridge to Hagerman, then down much looser rock into Geneva Lake basin (boulders, bushwacking, swamps), took another 4 hours.
Route Climbed: Standard/Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: 1995
My favorite 14er so far. Snowmass Lake is a spectacular wilderness setting. The approach is long but very well worth it. Climbed Snowmass with my friend Josh R. or SP's "Edgy" . Here is a cool shot from that memorable day in 95. That is Josh trying to get on top of that rock pinnicle. The views of Capitol are breathtaking.
Route Climbed: The Big Bowl from Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: 3 August, 2000
Getting to Snowmass Lake in 5 hrs the night before, I met this group of guys from Chicago who thought I was crazy for hauling 7 bottles of beer up to the campground (it was worth it). Left the next morning @ 10.45, arriving at the summit @ 13.23. A severe Rockies thunderstorm ensued, with lightning all around, scaring the hell out of me. Made a speedy descent to the lake. Awesome mountain, and wonderful camping at a scenic lake.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2002
Route Climbed: East Slopes
Beautiful day and 2 beautiful girls on the summit. Yahoo!
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: Fall 1999
This was my first hike, climb, or backpack in many years and it just wrecked me. We had pretty awful weather the whole time but the one minute break in the clouds at the top gave me a good view of Capitol and that made it all worth it.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 4, 1999
One of the most scenic 14ers - reminds me of Switzerland. My first time in crampons - little did I know I would be attempting Rainier the next summer. Plan to do it again in a couple of months.
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: July 1994
I took a 5 day backpacking trip. We started near Crested Butte. We hiked over 4, 12,000 foot passes and did Snowmass Mtn. Snowmass was my second fourteener. I really enjoyed the scrambling on the ridge. I did not like the Snowfield much. It plain out scaired me. I would do this mountain again any day though.
Saintgrizzly - Aug 11, 2004 12:19 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September, 1995Climbed with Aaron and Mark. Probably this (the West Ridge) is the most direct route, but it's still a long day, with much class three bouldering, and some class four manuevering to lift yourself onto the summit. It's worth it--this is one of my favorite Colorado mountains!
Aaron and I went to the upper basin earlier (I don't remember the year), and spent what to my mind is the most memorable night I've ever had in the mountains. A front stalled out directly over Snowmass, and as it kind of ebbed and flowed over us formed thunderstorm after thunderstorm. We were camped right at timberline, and the lightning and thunder were so intense I remember it sounding like huge marbles were rolling across the sky! Maybe I should have been afraid, but it was too huge a sounding night to do anything but listen, and be amazed! I'll never forget it...
Next morning, the peak was covered with snow, so we turned around.
Peter Eliassen - Jul 22, 2004 3:51 pm
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: July 15, 2004Great hike...but has a lot of late-season snow fields...can make for a wet descent.
climbcolorado - Jul 8, 2004 7:18 pm
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: 7/7/04Great hike to lake! Great fishing! Great snow climb! My last 14er!
gunnersmith - Apr 18, 2004 8:43 pm
Route Climbed: standard route up snowfield from Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: August 17, 2003There really wasn't a snowfield. We crossed one very small patch of snow, but that was it. The climb is very straight forward. The bottom of the mountain is a mess. You will slip and slide all over the place because of the loose pebbles and dirt. Wear gaitors to avoid pebbles in shoes. The summit was nice, and camping at Snowmass Lake was a bonus.
Bulldozer - Jan 9, 2004 9:17 am
Route Climbed: Eastern slopes from Snomass Lake Date Climbed: July 5th, 2003Summitted on a picture-perfect July day. Snow was packed and offered lots of opportunities to slide back down. My friend from Missouri made it to the ridge before stopping due to a lack of oxygen. Definitely my favorite peak to date.
RyanS - Oct 14, 2003 10:52 am
Route Climbed: The Big Bowl via Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: October 11, 2003There was sadly no snow to enjoy on this autumn day. On the plus side, we didn't see a single person, aside from one Snowmass summitter we saw from afar, who must have come from Lead King Basin. A TR is available here.
Matt Mahoney - Jul 27, 2003 10:59 pm
Route Climbed: W slopes from Lead King basin Date Climbed: July 21, 20034WD approach from 9700 ft. Lots of class 3 loose rock on the W slopes. 4 hours to summit. Descended ridge to Hagerman, then down much looser rock into Geneva Lake basin (boulders, bushwacking, swamps), took another 4 hours.
Kane - May 23, 2003 1:00 pm
Route Climbed: Standard/Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: 1995My favorite 14er so far. Snowmass Lake is a spectacular wilderness setting. The approach is long but very well worth it. Climbed Snowmass with my friend Josh R. or SP's "Edgy" . Here is a cool shot from that memorable day in 95. That is Josh trying to get on top of that rock pinnicle. The views of Capitol are breathtaking.
Diggler - Mar 19, 2003 5:59 pm
Route Climbed: The Big Bowl from Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: 3 August, 2000Getting to Snowmass Lake in 5 hrs the night before, I met this group of guys from Chicago who thought I was crazy for hauling 7 bottles of beer up to the campground (it was worth it). Left the next morning @ 10.45, arriving at the summit @ 13.23. A severe Rockies thunderstorm ensued, with lightning all around, scaring the hell out of me. Made a speedy descent to the lake. Awesome mountain, and wonderful camping at a scenic lake.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2002
Route Climbed: East SlopesBeautiful day and 2 beautiful girls on the summit. Yahoo!
Colonelpyat - Feb 28, 2003 5:31 am
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: Fall 1999This was my first hike, climb, or backpack in many years and it just wrecked me. We had pretty awful weather the whole time but the one minute break in the clouds at the top gave me a good view of Capitol and that made it all worth it.
rmjwinters - Oct 6, 2002 6:23 pm
Route Climbed: Snowmass Creek Date Climbed: June 15 2002A long day hike. Snowmass Lake is beautiful. T storms passed us by on all sides and allowed us to summit.
ctruscot - Jul 3, 2002 9:18 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 4, 1999One of the most scenic 14ers - reminds me of Switzerland. My first time in crampons - little did I know I would be attempting Rainier the next summer. Plan to do it again in a couple of months.
Steven Cross - Mar 29, 2001 4:13 pm
Route Climbed: Snowmass Lake Date Climbed: July 1994I took a 5 day backpacking trip. We started near Crested Butte. We hiked over 4, 12,000 foot passes and did Snowmass Mtn. Snowmass was my second fourteener. I really enjoyed the scrambling on the ridge. I did not like the Snowfield much. It plain out scaired me. I would do this mountain again any day though.