Snow conditions on Pike's Barr Trail

[soybean56]

Hi everyone,
Halfway thinking of doing the Barr Trail marathon route on Sunday. What're the snow conditions on the trail.
Has it gotten to late in the year to do Barr without snowshoes?
Thanks

[DScott49]

Greetings, I live in Colorado Springs and see the peak every day. I have not been up there but can give a report from looking up. Most of the snow that was there has melted during this warm week. You can still see some in the more shadowed areas and I'm guessing some of the upper trail before the talus is muddy, but I'm sure snowshoes would be major overkill. The forecast here is for great weather in the 70s tomorrow and just starting to cool on Sunday but still close to 70. After that it goes to heck! Calling for possible snow and sleet on Tuesday/Wednesday down here at 6000 ft.

Have a great hike!

Dr. Dave

[SharonH]

I have found that the micro spikes (Katulas) are nice to have when parts of the Barr Trail are snow packed or icy. There are certainly enough people on the trail on any given day that any snow would be compacted and potentially slippery. I have never had to use snow shoes on the Barr Trail.

[Jim Davies]

There was no more than an inch of snow on Mt Rosa (11,500') on Thursday, with some icy spots. I imagine Barr will be similar, so the traction aids might be helpful. We didn't see any drifting.

[emcee smith]

Up there today. Snow and ice for the last 1-2 miles but avoidable with careful stepping in all but a few places.

[soybean56]

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Made it up and back in exactly 12 hours on Sunday. Absolutely gorgeous hike. There were only a few (5-10) places were you had to cross snow/ice, but these were short and easy.
Pretty neat making it to the summit and BAM! people.

Thanks for convincing me to get one last hike in before snowshoe time.

[DScott49]

Congrats on completing the marathon! Nice hike, but it is long!

Dr. Dave

[casey_mc2010]

Three of us hiked on Thursday 28 October. It was clear until the 7.8 sign and had some insignificant patchy snow before Barr Camp. The snow became consistent until A-frame with 2-3 inches. After A frame the snow ranged from clear in exposed spots to deep drifts in shaded spots. The drifts were at least knee deep for several long stretches over the final two miles. There were a few icy spots on the 16 golden stairs. On the descent, much of the snow below A frame was turning to slush. Overall the trail was marked with footprints from at least four hikers. This warming weekend should provide a decent climb.