Snow on Wilson Group this weekend?

[Paddleski]

I am looking to hike El Diente and traverse to Mt Wilson via Kilpacker trailhead on Saturday (9/24). Then drive to the Rock of ages trailhead in the evening to hike Wilson Peak on Sunday.

Do you think the traverse will be snow/ice covered?

The weather looks great this weekend, but I don't want snow/ice on the ground for the traverse. Rather then deal with snow and ice, Ill wait till next year to hike these. Thoughts?

[Scott P]

There's snow now (the mountains were white from a distance), but I don't know how deep it is since I have just seen the peaks from a distance. I'd expecting to stick around in the shaded areas, but by the weekend it will likely be melted off on the sunny side of the mountain and rocks.

[Gritz3000]

I was in Telluride for the past week. My plan was to hike Mt.Wilson and El Diente separately, but I bailed because of snow and ice on the high elevation, north facing aspects. This latest low pressure system is on the warm side, but it’s hard to say how it will affect these particular peaks. For more info, there was a helpful condition report with pictures posted on El Diente from 9/18. Hope this helps!

[DenverDani]

We did Wilson Peak from Navajo Lake on 9/17. South side was clear but there was snow (maybe 3") the last stretch to the summit where you cross to the north side. We used micro spikes and it was okay but it is pretty exposed in this section if that bothers you.

We backpacked around to Kilpacker and did El Diente and Mt. Wilson on 9/18 from the south side separately (no traverse). Minimal snow on the south faces but again there was snow at the top where you cross to the north side of El Diente (again probably a couple inches) and in the shaded areas up the final stretch of Mt. Wilson which also have a fair bit of exposure.

We talked to some groups who traversed both 9/17 and 9/18. 9/17 the Class 4 section up Mt. Wilson sounded sketchy and they were using ropes. 9/18 group didn't report any issues on the traverse.

[scvaughn]

I summited El D on the 17th, and can confirm that there was ice on the North side. It was within my comfort level with micro spikes, but several people I encountered turned back. I opted not to do the traverse.

[Sail3733]

I am looking to hike El Diente and traverse to Mt Wilson via Kilpacker trailhead on Saturday (9/24). Then drive to the Rock of ages trailhead in the evening to hike Wilson Peak on Sunday.

Do you think the traverse will be snow/ice covered?

The weather looks great this weekend, but I don't want snow/ice on the ground for the traverse. Rather then deal with snow and ice, Ill wait till next year to hike these. Thoughts?

Paddleski. I'm attempting the exact same routes on Wednesday the 28th & 29th (with the additionof S. Wilson). I've been tracking the weather for a week in a weather log & it seems like Saturday & Sunday may still have snow & ice from this week. But, if u can wait a few days, next week seems to have a good run of sunnier/warmer wether. They should help some. You're welcome to join me if you can push back ur trip a few days. If not, please post a TR for us to hear how it goes. Have fun & enjoy!

[Paddleski]

Thanks for input. It has been extremely helpful.

My next chance probably last chance to get down there (I live in Boulder) would be Oct 8-9

I am going to cancel the trip for this weekend and keep my fingers crossed for Oct 8-9. My goal is to have Culebra as my last 14er and to hike it in July 2023. Maybe it'll be the Wilson group and Culebra for July 2023.

Thanks again

[montanahiker]

I am looking to hike El Diente and traverse to Mt Wilson via Kilpacker trailhead on Saturday (9/24). Then drive to the Rock of ages trailhead in the evening to hike Wilson Peak on Sunday.

Do you think the traverse will be snow/ice covered?

The weather looks great this weekend, but I don't want snow/ice on the ground for the traverse. Rather then deal with snow and ice, Ill wait till next year to hike these. Thoughts?

Paddleski. I'm attempting the exact same routes on Wednesday the 28th & 29th (with the additionof S. Wilson). I've been tracking the weather for a week in a weather log & it seems like Saturday & Sunday may still have snow & ice from this week. But, if u can wait a few days, next week seems to have a good run of sunnier/warmer wether. They should help some. You're welcome to join me if you can push back ur trip a few days. If not, please post a TR for us to hear how it goes. Have fun & enjoy!

I'm planning to do Wilson Peak on Monday but if it looks like there will still be snow there I may do something else.

[Sail3733]

Thanks for input. It has been extremely helpful.

My next chance probably last chance to get down there (I live in Boulder) would be Oct 8-9

I am going to cancel the trip for this weekend and keep my fingers crossed for Oct 8-9. My goal is to have Culebra as my last 14er and to hike it in July 2023. Maybe it'll be the Wilson group and Culebra for July 2023.

Thanks again

Sounds good, Paddleski. I'll post conditions next week after I've been there. Congrats on finishing next year!