Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
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Rhyno3258
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Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
Possibly planning a quick trip out over Memorial Day Weekend. I was trying to find an "easy" 14er to do and this one came up as a safe winter summit. Anybody with any experience on this mountain at this time of year? Assuming we would need snowshoes. Any information would be great. I have read some reports and it seems pretty doable it's just that nobody on this trip has done any winter hiking so want to cover my bases.
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peter303
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
I've done it on June 10 with just patchy snow.
And the crowds often trample a trail. Microspikes might suffice.
And the crowds often trample a trail. Microspikes might suffice.
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Rhyno3258
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
Thank you for that. I have been reading trip reports for this time of year and have seen everything from snowshoes to nothing. Would hate to drive that far and not be prepared.
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Scott P
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
That's just the reality of the situation. In the high mountains May can be one of the snowiest months of the year. Or on exposed (to the wind) ridgelines it can be just patchy.Rhyno3258 wrote:I have been reading trip reports for this time of year and have seen everything from snowshoes to nothing.
Hope for the best (whatever best is for you), but go prepared for the worst.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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Rhyno3258
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
I hear ya. We all live in Kansas and have done some summer hikes/summits. Would like to slowly get into some winter hiking, but hard to get those skills living where we do. We do not have any problems turning around if the situation calls for it. We will just be looking to have some fun in the mountains as safely as possible.
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TallGrass
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
Follow its conditions page leading up to about a week off, then add in following the weather forecast. Also add some other peaks in different ranges to monitor for back up options. Holy Cross isn't too far from I-70 (exit 171, IIRC) but you'll want to compare the Tigiwon Road closure (to cars, not bicycles or hikers; 7mi) in early June to your schedule. It's a 2WD road, so if you can bring/rent bikes for a closure you'll have the place practically to yourselves. Humboldt from Westcliffe and Lindsey are farther south, closer, and avoid Denver traffic. BTW, what part of Kansas?
"A few hours' mountain climbing make of a rogue and a saint two fairly equal creatures.
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
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Rhyno3258
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
Thanks for the info! Not sure I would have looked at the other locations as I just googled "easy" winter 14ers and quandary came up 1st and seemed like a safe 1st attempt with little extra equipment if there hadn't been a recent snow storm. We live in SE Kansas.
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CamKelley
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Re: Quandary Peak Memorial Day Weekend
Last year, we got 8" of snow at my house (close to Ft Collins) on May 25. We have also been 80 degrees the last week. Its a day by day thing. I would bring spikes or snowshoes. From the TH you can effectively see the ridge almost entirely--Spikes at minimum. Decide at TH if you want snowshoes. I've never used them until this year, and I'm not sure they're worth it unless its tons of powder anyway.
