Castle conditions / Castle Creek TH conditions

[719BR]

We are going to be in state end of May for some easy hikes and I am looking for thoughts on C&C as well as whether the Castle Creek TH may be open by then at least to the lower TH. Two of my group are older (read: slower) and I want to plan something easy-ish for them, I think C&C split over two days should be no problem for them. Biggest question is trail conditions. Can microspikes handle the standard route or is it ice ax / crampons time? We have (and know how to use) them but honestly I don't think they're looking to expend that much energy, even if we break it into two days. Second question is how high can we get on the road in a crossover. I know this road's reputation, but I am hoping the low snow this year allows us to get a fair amount up. Thoughts?

[FCSquid]

I haven't been up there this winter, but Castle and Conundrum always tend to hold snow longer than the rest of the Elks. Those two are typically snow routes well into July (though they'll probably melt out sooner this year). I'd plan on crampons and axes for that route if you're looking to get it in May.

You could probably make it to the Pearl Pass / Montezuma Rd cutoff, which is just past a steep section and a wood bridge. Before the road turns sharply uphill is also a good stopping point for a crossover. You're right next to the cutoff at that point.

[Chicago Transplant]

I have skied up around Pearl Pass near or over Memorial Day weekend the last three years (5/15/15, 5/30/16 and 5/28/17), and had continuous snow from the lower stream crossing just across the creek all the way to Pearl Pass all three. Any dry patches were short lived, and usually able to keep skis on by going just off the road. Last year there was also a lot of old avalanche debris across the road, both in the form of snow and a lot downed trees/branches. The slide had come off of Greg Mace Peak and was fairly low on the road. I would not plan on being able to get past the lower stream crossing, even in a lower snow year like this one unless you have confirmed conditions reports. I am sorry to say, it will likely be a long hike and if you do pack in, a snow camp.

If its dry, it would only be because our snow year was even worse than we thought.

[wineguy]

I'd plan on crampons and axes for that route if you're looking to get it in May.

The snow is not very steep on the approach to CC. An axe would be important/essential if ascending or descending the couloir to the notch between CC (Roach route 25R9), but the easier route is to climb Castle's northeast ridge, continue over the top along the ridge to Conundrum, and then retrace steps. Traction never hurts, but isn't essential on this route. The first time I climbed Castle was in late June in a moderate snow year, which might be comparable to this year in late May. The snow was soft enough and slope gentle enough that I was fine without traction or axe. Also, the upper part of the route to Castle is on the west side of the ridge, so is often windblown early in the season.