San Luis Peak

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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NatDog
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San Luis Peak

Post by NatDog »

Anyone have recent info on the standard NE Ridge route on San Luis or the Stewart Creek trailhead? Reports from mid-May last year suggest that most of the route had already melted out but this year's snowpack looks to be a bit deeper in the Upper Rio Grande Basin than in 2020. Sat images seem to show that at least the first few miles from the trailhead are dry but I am hoping someone can confirm.
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SurfNTurf
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by SurfNTurf »

I have a picture of much of the upper mountain from my Phoenix TR posted last week. Check it out for recent beta. The Creede area seemed to be largely dried out below 10-10.5k, with only intermittent snow depending on aspect above that. Didn’t have eyes on any of those caldera backroads from the east, though.
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Ptglhs
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by Ptglhs »

The road is usually closed at a FS gate a LONG way away frim the TH. A more relevant question might be if the road is yet open. (I have no idea).
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Bombay2Boulder
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by Bombay2Boulder »

Open season is given as June on the FS website. But try calling the Gunnison office to get confirmation-
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/abo ... st/offices
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CochetopaClif
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by CochetopaClif »

That gate should be open on May 15th or as they get to it after that date. The creek crossings could be more adventurous on the road than anything you'd probably encounter on the trail this time of year.
Up and up...
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NatDog
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by NatDog »

Thanks for the responses. I called the FS in Gunnison yesterday and they confirmed that access to the trailhead is open.
CochetopaClif wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 6:26 am That gate should be open on May 15th or as they get to it after that date. The creek crossings could be more adventurous on the road than anything you'd probably encounter on the trail this time of year.
Yeah, this is actually what I was most concerned about. But it looks like peak discharge won't happen until next month.
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Re: San Luis Peak

Post by ltlFish99 »

I hiked San Luis last June 20th from the Eddiesville trailhead. I went up the east slopes route via stewart creek.
The stream crossings were very easy, maybe 4 to 6 inches deep. They have put down large cement slabs in the creek at both crossings making it nice and easy to get across.
I encountered at least 50 downed trees last year between mile 1 and 4 on the trail. Mostly damaged beetle kill trees downed by strong winds earlier last June.
IIRC, I believe most of these have been cleared per subsequent reports.
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