4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
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- Steve Gio
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4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Curios if anyone has been in either of these areas lately. I am thinking of Mt. Sopris since it is lower elevation. We xc ski near it this past winter and it is a spectacular mountain. So I'm thinking it may not be too snowed in by the 4th of July.
Venable Peak is one I have done some years back as a back pack loop and getting Venable and Comanche peaks. It was also a heavy snow year and was clear by 4th of July that year.
Any info on these 2 areas would be very helpful in planning. Thanks.
Steve
Venable Peak is one I have done some years back as a back pack loop and getting Venable and Comanche peaks. It was also a heavy snow year and was clear by 4th of July that year.
Any info on these 2 areas would be very helpful in planning. Thanks.
Steve
Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
The kids and I will be attempting Sopris on June 28, so we can let you know of conditions then.
Since the last part of the route is on a ridge, I'm assuming snow won't be that much of a problem by then.
Since the last part of the route is on a ridge, I'm assuming snow won't be that much of a problem by then.
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- Steve Gio
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Thanks Scott. Will have to make a decision before then but I am assuming that the snow will be scarce by he 4th as well.
- cheeseburglar
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
The standard route up Sopris will be clear by then, but there should be some snow slopes that you can cross if you enjoy climbing on snow.
- jdorje
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Venable is 100% snow clear now. Great peak but that will be mosquito season.
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- bonehead
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
The east side still holds quite a bit of snow.
- jdorje
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Yeah, I bet phantom terrace is covered, at least for a little longer. The easiest route from the west is via Comanche pass and this should be completely clear.
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- bonehead
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Agree.
We hiked Commanche yesterday.
I may give the terraces a visit tomorrow.
If so, I will post info.
From years past I remember a deteriorating spot in the trail
just below the pass.
Anyone know more?
We hiked Commanche yesterday.
I may give the terraces a visit tomorrow.
If so, I will post info.
From years past I remember a deteriorating spot in the trail
just below the pass.
Anyone know more?
- tundratif
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
I went up and did Dry Lakes on Sat. June 14th from the Westcliffe side, which a couple of valleys parallel to the south. The trail was pretty dry and clear until about 11,200 in the trees and then there were significant snow drifts 2-4' deep. Some postholing ensued, but you could route around portions of it. The last headwall up to the lake at about 11,600 was a solid snow field for a couple hundred feet up. We didn't have traction but was able to kick steps in and plunge step down on a low angle section. The flat area around the lake was fairly snow free. Considering that the trails are aligned similarly, I would expect the trail up to Venable would be comparable.
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- myfeetrock
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Here are some pictures from a friend who went up on the 16th. She said they did lots of post holing but made it to the top. When snow free its an easy 3 to 4 hour hike to the summit.
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- TakeMeToYourSummit
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Great spot to snap a shot, eh? Crazy how much of the high snow is sticking in the Elks. Here's a shot from May 18, 2014 (for comparison):
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Re: 4th of July - Mt. Sopris or Venable Peak
Kessler and I climbed Sopris this weekend. There were a few snowbanks to cross, but all were short. Lots of people in running shoes. There isn't much snow left at all on the standard route and way less than in the photos above.
Incidentally, we also glissaded the north face/basin that is between the two summits. We should have done it when there was more snow as crossing the rock glaciers and boulders on the way back was a pain.
In other words, don't bother bring an ice axe to Sopris as there are currently no conditions (even off the standard route) that are worth bringing an ice axe for.
Incidentally, we also glissaded the north face/basin that is between the two summits. We should have done it when there was more snow as crossing the rock glaciers and boulders on the way back was a pain.
In other words, don't bother bring an ice axe to Sopris as there are currently no conditions (even off the standard route) that are worth bringing an ice axe for.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.