Hey, lots of Sneffels updates recently, but I wanted to provide some better information about the "alternate" route to avoid the snow in the trough. For starters, if you arrive near the top of the trough in the morning, the snow is firm and the steps are great. You can get up without any traction/poles. However, coming down can be a little iffy. The past few Sneffels CTs mention a route on the left of the trough, but don't really explain where it is. I had some trouble locating it from the bottom because you can't really see a good line to the top. But, eventually i did find it. As you head into the trough look to your left about a 100 yards in before the main snow area. You'll see a small snow trench. If you look up you'll see a cairn. Head across the snow trench and head up the rocks. Once up on the rib, it's kind of choose your own adventure to the summit, but keep the trough to your right. Nothing tricky (Class 2 +). See picture.
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