Is Iowa Gulch road still open?

[AyeYo]

Like it says in the title...

Also, is it possible to loop Sherman > Sheridan > Peerless, then down Peerless back to the TH? Never been out in this area so don't know what the ridges look like or what the brush/willow condition off of Peerless might be like.

[TakeMeToYourSummit]

Not sure of road conditions or even mountain conditions. As far as your loop goes - yes, very much yes. Many loops are possible in this area - my friend & I did West Dyer, Dyer, Gemini, Sherman, & Sheridan from the west a few weeks ago. The only parts we didn't see (first hand) of your loop were the ridge from Sheridan to Peerless (it looked easy) & the descent off Peerless (it has a RD on the 13ers tab). Stay safe & have fun!

[davebobk47]

A week an a half ago conditions were dry and although there has been some snow recently I would expect the road and route to be passable. Only visible snow anywhere is on N facing areas.

There will be some water in the basin between Peerless and the TH. I'm guessing that ridge could go although it did look fairly steep and could be loose. The Sherman/Gemini/Dyer is definitely a great loop.

[AyeYo]

The trail head description page is a little confusing, because it states the road is closed 3 miles from TH in the winter... but there's condition updates from the middle of winters saying the road is driveable to the TH. As long as I'm not going to drive out there after work and hit a gate 3 miles out, I'll go give it a try.

I see the road/TH is on private property. Is the entire area private property or is it ok to camp?

[SolarAlex]

if you want to loop sherman/sheridan/peerless, why not go from the 4mile creek side? you could also add horseshoe mountain without a whole lot more effort.

[AyeYo]

if you want to loop sherman/sheridan/peerless, why not go from the 4mile creek side? you could also add horseshoe mountain without a whole lot more effort.

Drive time. Trying to head out at like 5pm today so I'd already be getting to Iowa Gulch late enough as it is.

[alpinenut]

I drove up there in November a couple winters ago. There was a little snow on the road but it was still open all the way up. Nice secluded TH. It's cold since you're on the west side of the mountains. No way there was less snow when I did it than there is now. Should be fine unless they've changed how/when/why they close the road.

[TakeMeToYourSummit]

(it has a RD on the 13ers tab)

My bad... read your peaks so quick - I assumed you were coming from the east. In any case (for other parties interested, as you have left 2 hours ago) - after Peerless, you will have to skirt Sheridan (didn't look that bad) or partially re-ascend. Dropping into the Empire Amphitheater might be private property... I honestly don't know. Kinda curious as the Mosq is a range that seems rather easy to finish if you don't consider the "trespassing" it would require (Bartlett alone...). Let us know how it goes!

[Count40]

Iowa Gulch is summer condition. Hardly any snow on trail, easily avoidable. Take spikes just in case.
See Raj's report for Finnback Knob. He did start from four mile, but all else is the same, andyou will see pics of akk four pics and Empire.

From Peerless to 4mile road is easy tundra line down,if you still consider that option.
That road is clear too.
As for Empire (the west side of Peerless) that is best to avoid (see Raj's. pic from Finnback)
You can come back to Iowa Gulch from Peerless easily skirting Sheridan back to sheridan Sherman saddle.

[Count40]

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=15693" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

forgot that report link

less snow today than in this report

wind 30 on saddle and ridge

[AyeYo]

(it has a RD on the 13ers tab)

My bad... read your peaks so quick - I assumed you were coming from the east.

I'm an idiot. I did come from Denver. For whatever reason I read the trail head names backwards. As we're coming into Fairplay I tell the gf to get out the directions for Iowa Gulch and she starts reading off "take US 24 through Leadville" and I'm like... wtf. Then I realized I had them backwards. Fourmile Creek road is totally clear of snow, but a pretty crappy drive in a car. Made it all the way to the mine though.

Wind was probably 20-30mph on the ridge and easily 50mph through that first notch up Sherman. Girlfriend didn't want to attempt Sheridan, but it looked like an easily go up there and then over the Peerless. USFS map (and the snow) shows mine roads down Peerless all the way back to the Fourmile parking area, so should be cake. I'm thinking this weekend, assuming no snow, starting at Iowa and doing Dyer > Gemini > Sherman > White Ridge > camp at Fourmile > Peerless > Horseshoe > Peerless > Sheridan > back to Iowa.

Looked like at least a party of two had climbed a semi-filled north couloir on Sheridan. Is that a named route?