Mt. Sneffels Trip Report 09/20/2014

Peak(s):	Mt. Sneffels - 14,155 feet
Date Posted:	09/20/2014
Modified:	09/26/2014
Date Climbed:	09/20/2014
Author:	tatitot

Lucky #13 - Mt. Sneffels you beast!
Just spent a lovely weekend in Telluride last weekend and during that time we were able to squeeze in a 14er! We left Telluride around 5:15am, and arrived at Blue Lakes Pass Trailhead around 6am. The sign there says Mt. Sneffels is 6.8 miles, which was a little longer than I had expected - but we went for it! Started the first 45 minutes or so of our hike with our headlamps on and didn't see a soul! We heard the water rushing next to us but couldn't see it until we were down almost 9.5 hours later! Yikes! We eventually made it up to the 3 Blue Lakes (3 miles up I believe) - and let me tell you - these are such gorgeous lakes up close and personal - not to be missed! It's almost like the calm before the storm walking passed those lakes, if you will. From the lakes to Blue Lakes Pass there's a sign that says 2 1/2 miles. That's when we hit the ridge and the major switch backs started. Once we got to the pass, it was scramble city. I would have felt much better if I had on a helmet - I felt a little silly. And knowing what I know now - I probably wouldn't have climbed up to the peak without that helmet (not to mention the mountain rescue from our route (southwest ridge) that occurred the weekend before... my boyfriend cleverly hid that newspaper article from me until we were back from the climb). It took us a LONG time to get to the summit from the pass. I believe we partly veered off course but for the most part we followed the cairns and we summited at 11am. It was the most gorgeous day on a summit I have ever had. Didn't need my jacket, gloves, or beanie! Not a cloud in the sky and not a speck of wind. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Getting back down was tricky but we made it back to the car around 3:30pm. It was the longest hike I have ever done, about 14 miles round trip. But it was a great accomplishment - and I hope I never see the top of you again Mt. Sneffels. That night it rained ALL night long and we woke up to see snow on the top of Mt. Sneffels - I would NOT climb the route we did without the proper equipment if there is snow up there! Hope this helps someone! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Lucky #13 - Mt. Sneffels you beast!

Just spent a lovely weekend in Telluride last weekend and during that time we were able to squeeze in a 14er!

We left Telluride around 5:15am, and arrived at Blue Lakes Pass Trailhead around 6am. The sign there says Mt. Sneffels is 6.8 miles, which was a little longer than I had expected - but we went for it! Started the first 45 minutes or so of our hike with our headlamps on and didn't see a soul! We heard the water rushing next to us but couldn't see it until we were down almost 9.5 hours later! Yikes!

We eventually made it up to the 3 Blue Lakes (3 miles up I believe) - and let me tell you - these are such gorgeous lakes up close and personal - not to be missed! It's almost like the calm before the storm walking passed those lakes, if you will.

From the lakes to Blue Lakes Pass there's a sign that says 2 1/2 miles. That's when we hit the ridge and the major switch backs started. Once we got to the pass, it was scramble city. I would have felt much better if I had on a helmet - I felt a little silly. And knowing what I know now - I probably wouldn't have climbed up to the peak without that helmet (not to mention the mountain rescue from our route (southwest ridge) that occurred the weekend before... my boyfriend cleverly hid that newspaper article from me until we were back from the climb). It took us a LONG time to get to the summit from the pass. I believe we partly veered off course but for the most part we followed the cairns and we summited at 11am. It was the most gorgeous day on a summit I have ever had. Didn't need my jacket, gloves, or beanie! Not a cloud in the sky and not a speck of wind. Couldn't have asked for better weather.

Getting back down was tricky but we made it back to the car around 3:30pm. It was the longest hike I have ever done, about 14 miles round trip. But it was a great accomplishment - and I hope I never see the top of you again Mt. Sneffels.

That night it rained ALL night long and we woke up to see snow on the top of Mt. Sneffels - I would NOT climb the route we did without the proper equipment if there is snow up there!

Hope this helps someone!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

soccerplaya2090	Summit Log 9/27/2014 4:32am Did you take that Summit Log box up there? I couldn't find a log nor could other climbers on Labor day find a log while I was on the summit.
tatitot	Summit Log 10/10/2014 10:45pm Nope, there were quite a few people up that day - the box was tucked in neatly between rocks when we left the summit.

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