| Peak: | Snowmass Mountain |
| Route: | East Slopes |
| Range: | Elk |
| Posted By: | Ptglhs |
| Date of Info: | 8/17/2019 |
| Date Posted: | 8/20/2019 |
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Chris' report from this weekend is quite accurate. I wanted to add a few details. The direct route is viable with minimal difficulty getting to the ridge from the snow. The snow is quite steep. I would recommend crampons and an axe for the direct route. You may be able to get away with an axe and traction on the standard route. For the approach: if you cross the creek just downstream of the log jam it's MUCH easier. You wade through some knee deep water that can be forded barefoot. You then have to scramble over the avalanche deadfall and rejoin the trail 30ft over, but it's better to deal with water and deadfall separately. (Photo one shows where I crossed, looking down trail). The scree slope is a nightmare. Worst part of this hike is coming down that thing. At about 11.9k you'll notice a cairn on both sides of the drainage. When ascending it is possible to cross to the north carefully on some flatter sections of the rock with the water flowing (careful, they are slippery). Once on the north side there is a use trail through the dirt and willows that gains another 2/300 feet before it fades out. It's a much better way to get to the slabby rock and tundra than the scree. (Photo 2)  
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