Trip to CO with my Girl Scouts in June... they want snow...

[divanicki75]

Hi there,
I am a Girl Scout leader from TX and my middle school girls have been saving for a couple of years for a big trip. They've decided on Colorado Springs in the first half of June. I know nothing about climbing, hiking etc other than we need to increase our water intake so we don't get altitude sickness. My girls' only wish... or, the #1 thing on their list to do in CO is to see/touch/play with snow. I figured the only way to do this is by climbing a 14er. Am I chasing a unicorn? Is this unrealistic? I don't even know how long/ how difficult it is to climb the easiest mountain. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Also, we are staying SW of Fort Carson, so any ideas for Mountains we could climb/ride would also be much appreciated. Our original plan was to ride to the top of Pikes Peak, and well... that doesn't seem to be a possibility, so we're on to Plan B. Are there other Mountains that you can ride up? (I don't think I could do the drive without freaking out, which is not a good example to the girls and all). I'm looking for a mountain within an hour & a half of Fort Carson.... Bonus points if there's one near Manitou Springs area, since we're already spending a bunch of time there...

Thanks!!

[disentangled]

paging wild wanderer.

[Wentzl]

Diva Nicki '75

All you need is here for free
If you answer these questions 3.

1. What qualifies you as a Diva
2. The girls you mentioned, are they experienced?
3. How long have you been trolling before you stumbled on 14ers.com?

[divanicki75]

1. It's been my username since.... well, since there were user names- lol and I was quite a diva and party girl in my 20's
2. They're experienced Girl Scouts- they spend a decent amount of time outdoors, but it's flat where we are. There are literally 2 inclines in town, which the locals call hills (I'm not originally from TX, so I've seen mountains- lol) But they are NOT experienced hikers. We're actually hoping to earn our hiking badge while we're there
3. not that long! Just did a Google search for a list of 14ers and this is where I landed. Is it not a newbie-safe environment? (wondering because of the other two responses)
4. I DID try to reach out to other Girl Scout leaders from CO first, but radio silence so far...

Thanks!!
Nicki

Diva Nicki '75

All you need is here for free
If you answer these questions 3.

1. What qualifies you as a Diva
2. The girls you mentioned, are they experienced?
3. How long have you been trolling before you stumbled on 14ers.com?

[Wentzl]

If I am wrong, I am sorry. Won't be the first time.

Let's see where it goes.

and the rest of the field says. . . .

[cottonmountaineering]

mt evans you can drive up and should have some snow around, for hiking bierstadt would be a good one after spending a few days in the springs

pikes peak is usually pretty dry, i dont know if it will have much easily accessible snow in june

[divanicki75]

mt evans you can drive up and should have some snow around, for hiking bierstadt would be a good one after spending a few days in the springs

pikes peak is usually pretty dry, i dont know if it will have much easily accessible snow in june

Thanks

[divanicki75]

paging wild wanderer.

Are y'all mocking me for asking these questions? I figured you'd be pretty knowledgable about the topic so it was the right place to ask... especially when this forum is labeled "just starting"... I don't understand why I'm being mocked...

[HikerGuy]

No need to hike a 14er for snow. There will still be plenty of snow in the higher elevations in June. Just drive to one of high mountain passes (Independence Pass for example) and go for an out and back ridge hike. If you really want a 14er, Bierstadt and Evans are good choices.

Fyi, the user WildWanderer on this site is also a girl scout troop leader.

[andrew85]

paging wild wanderer.

Are y'all mocking me for asking these questions? I figured you'd be pretty knowledgable about the topic so it was the right place to ask... especially when this forum is labeled "just starting"... I don't understand why I'm being mocked...

Lol no, WildWanderer is 14er finisher and girl scout leader who's highly active in the mountains and on here with weekly trip reports. Think she has the most relevant experience with regard to your question.

Most 14ers will still hold snow near the top in early June, though you may have to drive a bit further than an hour and a half to access them. Outside of Pikes Peak (which I think would still a possibility depending on how the shuttle service runs), your next closest from SW Fort Carson I'd think would be the Northern Sangres over by South Colony Lakes which aren't beginner friendly. I'd recommend taking the extra drive over to Mt. Bierstadt (~2.5 hours) which should be accessible for all in your group (and still have snow in early June). If skiing is on the table, Abasin stays open into early/mid June as well.

[OldTrad]

Re: snow - How about Saint Mary’s Glacier? You would have to head up to I70 in Denver, but then not much of a haul from there. You can park within a mile of it. It’s a popular spot (crowded), but beautiful nonetheless.

https://dayhikesneardenver.com/st-marys-glacier-hike/

[divanicki75]

No need to hike a 14er for snow. There will still be plenty of snow in the higher elevations in June. Just drive to one of high mountain passes (Independence Pass for example) and go for an out and back ridge hike. If you really want a 14er, Bierstadt and Evans are good choices.

Fyi, the user WildWanderer on this site is also a girl scout troop leader.

Thank you! This was the kind of info I was hoping for