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 Peak:  Mt. Yale
 Route:  East Ridge
 Range:  Sawatch
 Posted By:  supranihilest
 Date of Info:  5/21/2016
 Date Posted:  5/21/2016
Details

The trail from the Avalanche trailhead is dry and clear until approximately 1.5-2 miles in. From there on there are large drifts crossing the trail. The higher up you go, the more drifting there is and the harder it is to keep track of the trail itself, though I put in fresh tracks (which did wander a bit, if you follow them). The snow was quite soft and I postholed up to my knees on the way up, and up to my waist on the way down. Snowshoes were of some help in both directions. Once to the clearing where you turn off and start heading west towards the summit the snow is somewhat intermittent. There was plenty of exposed rock, scree, and dirt, and snow cover, where it applies, was anywhere from a dusting to waist deep or more. I triggered a small, wet avalanche near the white tower on the descent, so beware of that area in particular; there is lots of evidence of previous avalanches there. Snow elsewhere was generally solid enough or not steep enough to cause issues. The summit itself was covered completely in good, solid snow, depth unknown. Snowshoes were only marginally useful past the 12,000' saddle west of the turn-off clearing, and I did not need or use spikes or crampons today.


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