Sangre De Cristo Mountain Hike

[dwharveyjr]

This is a Hike my friend and I are planning at the current moment for a potential 2nd weekend in June. Would like to see if anyone could shed some light on the potential route itself. I have been doing my best to watch the weather and talk with anyone who can provide any insight. The rangers district actually recommended posting here, great community with a wealth of knowledge to be provided!

Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Don

[wyyld]

I've never hiked that particular route you are planning but you will be near music pass which is one of the grandest views in all of the Sangres. Be sure to add it to your list if possible!!!

[pfiore1]

That is a nice route. Do you plan on climbing Milwaukee, Pico, Music, Tijeras or anything else up there? Also, FYI, as soon as you leave Music Pass and enter the Wilderness Boundary, you will be in the Sand Dunes National Park, therefore, Custer SAR is not allowed to operate in that area, the Park Service does and they are very strict (I've seen many people written up for dogs off leash even though their dogs were one foot by the owner's leg). Also, there are a lot of downed trees out there, we are trying to clear most of the popular trails but the route you showed is controlled by the Park Service and don't know how well they clear those trails. was up in that valley last year and climbed Marble, Milwaukee and some others. It is a beautiful, peaceful and quiet place because of its inaccessibility.

Second week of June, expect to encounter plenty of snow high, but even possibly some patches below treeline. I'm in a hurry now, but I can add more details and info about your planned hike later and if you have any more questions.

[dwharveyjr]

@pfiore1
we plan on doing this hike within 2 days, it is about 14 miles +/-. We will most likely hit the Tijeras Peak and possibly skim by the Cleveland Peak, wont be doing Milwaukee or Pico. This is our first hike within this area and do not want to bite off more then we can chew.

I was kinda of hoping for a different answer, what are your thoughts on the snow throughout this hike? We are both capable, healthy, athletic guys, however the last thing we want to do is embark on something we are not confident we can tackle.

let me know your thoughts on the snow and if it is a trip worth taking at the time we are planning vs the risk...

I appreciate all your help!!!!

[pfiore1]

We have had a lot of late snow, depending on any new snow storms, mostly doubtful, the second week in June will still have considerable snow up high. Of the peaks in that area, Cleveland is the easiest. Tijeras, Music and the others are fairly technical and just overall jagged peaks, slightly shorter versions of their Crestone neighbors. Besides Cleveland, I think the easiest route on the other peaks is about Class 3, but some like Music have some class 4 and some minor 5 depending on the peak and route. For that time period I would definitely bring a helmet, axe and crampons if you plan to summit something. If you are comfortable on steep snow mixed in with some class three scrambling then you'll be fine and definitely recommend it. Also be sure to bring some fishing poles because the fishing in those lakes is great, some nice big cut throat trout. If you send me a message in late May or early June I can go up to Music Pass or just look from my house and tell you how much snow there is up there, but expect a bit more than average.

[Kent McLemore]

That is some beautiful country.
It looks like your route includes the standard Tijeras Peak route. In mid-June the "access ramps" above Lower Sand Creek Lake will likely involve steep snow climbs.
The crux, such as it is, in Sept.:

[dwharveyjr]

Awesome pictures!!!!

Here is the link in which I discovered this hike, this is where I pulled all the waypoint and route itself. These guys did a great job!
http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1329683" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am thinking about purchasing a Garmin eTrex 30x as we are concerned we will get lost with the snow you guys have been describing. I think that will help us navigate without a trail at our feet because of snow coverage.

@Pfiore1 - I will definitely contact you say a week out or closer to swe what your thouvhts are on snow in the area, I cant thank you enough for you support!

-edit-
Adding a couple questions in a bullet point style:
- What do you think the ranges of Temps will be during the Day and Night?
- How deep will the snow be?

[dwharveyjr]

To continue my questions, this time regarding Fishing;

- It wont be too cold to fish those lakes, no ice?
- Lakes we would come in contact would be, Lower Sand Creek, Deadman, and Little Sand Creek Lakes
- Any recommendation on Bait for the Cut Throat Trout?
- What are the rules and regulations for fishing that area, we probably won't eat any and just catch and release.

[pfiore1]

Adding a couple questions in a bullet point style:
- What do you think the ranges of Temps will be during the Day and Night?
- How deep will the snow be?

To continue my questions, this time regarding Fishing;

- It wont be too cold to fish those lakes, no ice?
- Lakes we would come in contact would be, Lower Sand Creek, Deadman, and Little Sand Creek Lakes
- Any recommendation on Bait for the Cut Throat Trout?
- What are the rules and regulations for fishing that area, we probably won't eat any and just catch and release.

It's Colorado, there is never a definitive answer. It was just snowing hard 2-3 hours ago in the Sangres and at my house, now there isn't a cloud in the sky. If you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 10 minutes and it will change. If I told you the temps for that time of year, then Murphy's Law would change it. On average, you'll be in the 70's in the day and maybe 40's at night, but very undependable. The snow will be anywhere from zero to 20 feet, and I'm not saying that to sound sarcastic, it all depends on the wind loaded areas from the winter, what aspect you're facing and how warm the next few weeks will be. The trail should be mostly clear of snow if not completely clear. There may be spots where there are deep piles of unmelted snow because a large tree, boulder or hill has blocked the southern exposure or because that's where the wind deposited the snow. I would bring crampons and an axe for climbing Tijeras but no need for snowshoes, the snowpack should be well consolidated by then. I'm not sure about the lakes, all three are between 11,400' and 11,900' and Cleveland Peak definitely blocks any southern sunlight from hitting Deadman. That is right around the time when the lakes should be almost completely melted, just depends on their aspects, but I'm pretty sure Lower Sand will be melted by then. Cutthroat and cutbows (hybrid cross of cutthroat and rainbow) love little Rapala lures that look like baby trout and they wiggle back and forth, you can also use power bait. You would need a fishing license to fish legally, especially being within the National Park boundary. And if you are starting at the Music Pass TH, you'll probably encounter a Park Ranger up there and if he sees a fishing pole attached to your pack he'll want to see a license. Within the next couple of weeks I am going to go up Music Pass and see how much snow melted on the road because I also plan on climbing a few of those peaks in that basin soon, I prefer steep spring snow climbs and it's prime time now. I'll let you know more as time passes by.

[DanV]

Hey Guys, I'm the other half of the hiking party you all are helping out.
Thanks for the help, completely hear you; weather is unpredictable.

2 questions for you based on conditions today;
If we bypass the peaks, sticking to the lower trail, yet still having to cross music pass to complete the loop. Are we going to be postholing up to our waist? Completely fine with a couple patches here and there but we are not in for packing snow shoes and losing the trail.

second, if we are going to be hitting some snow what are some good replacement hikes that could work this time of year? Looking for a lake or river at the turnaround and about 16 miles rt; moderate at the hardest (knowledge noobs, but physically experienced)

Thanks for the support, there are simply to many trails to sort through and local knowledge trumps all.

[SkaredShtles]

2nd weekend in June plan on there being a metric $hitton of snow on that route. Alternate plans are a good idea.

Edit: the lakes will likely be frozen.

[DanV]

noted.
what would you recommend as a potential snow free trail to take on?
again, yes I 100% understand that weather is unpredictable and there is no guarantee. However there has to be some trails that are likely to be snow free somewhere.