14ers.com

Hey all…coming out to Colorado May 7-11 and would like to get my 13-year old son up his first 14er. I’ll be staying in Denver and will have the 11th to get this done. I’m looking at Pikes. But I don’t want to ride up it, so I’ve been thinking about the Devils Playground area to start. Does anyone know if you can drive up this far and park currently or by May 11? Also, what type of conditions should I be expecting? Not sure if I need to bring snowshoes or full on mountaineering gear.

If there is another nearby 14er that has a cleaner route to the top, I’d love to hear that as well. Thanks!

I would give it about a 50/50 chance the road could be open to DP that weekend. If the road is open and weather is good I’m planning on being up there that weekend. Hoping to get some Spring/north face routes in. Gates at the entrance to PP highway open at 9 am.

Call 7193857325 option 1 twice. Gives you the daily road status and how far the road is open.

Comments from a nearby thread:
https://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 51#p791251
"Snow can generally get pretty sloppy in May depending on the place; however, with flotation, decent weather, and some perseverance, hiking at this time can be possible."
"Winter ended a month ago. It's slush and mud season."

A musical interlude from a former local:
Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes to Mexico)

Thank you guys for the info! We are gonna play around on some trails out by Morrison for a couple days as well. Can’t wait!

There will be significant snow on any 14er in May, including Pikes. That will be easy to see from Colorado Springs. The upper Crags trail from Devils Playground is tundra for the first couple miles. Then 700 feet of steep rock scrambling at the end. The scrambling part will be covered with snow and ice with microspikes necessary. The tundra part will either be continuous or patchy snow.

THANKS!My plan was going back up end of May.. more of a summer goat..can handle some snow... some ice! Great heads up!
Sabrina