Which San Luis Route Sucks Less?

[Been_Jammin]

Facetious subject line. But seriously, are there any pros over one route or the other? Does one trailhead have better camping? Does Creed have a bomber restaurant? I'm tempted to just flip a coin.

[justiner]

If you're a rock hound, Creede is a good place to coordinate your hike with one of the traveling shows they have - not to mention the self guided mining tours. The hike in is actually quite pretty - a nice high route on the Colorado Trail. Make it a backpack and enjoy being up high in the La Garitas. The hike up to the summit is a pretty simple one.

Easy to find good french fries back in town.

[cvbuffs]

I personally thought the Creede side was great. Good camping at the trailhead (can even drive up to some elevated spots if you have a decent 4x4.) The approach from Creede takes you through some really beautiful basins and is not very hard. Plus a shorter approach, which is always appreciated if you're trying to get off the summit earlier, and actually less drive time from Denver. From what I remember you're only on the dirt road for about 30 minutes to get to the West Willow TH.

[Cruiser]

I really enjoyed the south ridge. The trail was very scenic and in excellent condition when I was there a few years back. The trailhead wasn't ideal for camping as it's fairly sloped but there were some nice spots along the road just before it that looked flat and easy.

[CaptainSuburbia]

The "point fest" route from Creede side is the best by far. Easily one of my top 5 favorite 14er routes.

[Camden7]

Standard Northwest side from gunnison-ish is the way I climbed it. It was busy and not to exciting but the flowers were good, the camping was good, and there was good access to Stewart Peak if you are after the Cents. Also, what Mr. Roach calls the Canon Diablo route on cent “Phoenix Peak” is really cool and pretty. If San Luis is your only goal, I don’t think the north side is worth the 30 miles of dirt roads.

[greenonion]

Anybody have conditions info on either route (but more interested in south ridge route)?

[Ptglhs]

I've done standard, hiked in from Creede, and out via CDT to Eddiesville. I can't recommend one over the other. I thought they were all peaceful, isolated, and beautiful. More alline basins from Creede, more forests via standard, more water via CDT to south side. You could even make it a class 3 partial bushwhack and go up Organ via Hondo Canyon, traverse scramble over to San Luis, then come down north or south.

[two lunches]

Anybody have conditions info on either route (but more interested in south ridge route)?

i just looked yesterday and the entire area (stewart, phoenix, san luis, baldys, organ, etc.) is showing 0" snow on opensummit, which makes sense because i don't think the SJs were hit with that storm... i'm pretty sure it should be totally dry (but maybe exercise some caution when crossing the streams if you choose the willow creek route- early season runoff)

looks windy this week

[supranihilest]

Anybody have conditions info on either route (but more interested in south ridge route)?

Satellite view centered on San Luis.

[greenonion]

Thank you both

[HikesInGeologicTime]

The standard route up San Luis is my favorite dry-season route up a fourteener. I'd love to repeat it either in wildflower season or aspen season or, hell, just in general.

Then again, I'm a fan of routes and peaks that would make most of the regulars on here suffocate with boredom at the mere suggestion (other favorites of mine include Bierstadt's standard route, Harvard's standard route, Redcloud and Sunshine...), so take that advice with a grain of salt - or several, sprinkled around a margarita - if your peak preferences tend toward short, steep, and spicy.