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Was on the trail at 7:45am. Conditions were clear, but very breezy mostly from the trail sign at 12,280 ft. Snow from start to finish, but the trail was packed to Square Top Lake #1.
Gaiters currently a big plus, micro-spikes on ridge helpful, but not needed. The main Southeast Ridge description is very good, but I clocked 7.7 miles and at least 2,700+ ft.
of elevation gain to the true summit (Garmin Oregon 450). I am sure this was also because I was basically on my own trail trough the snow.
Round Trip, including 15 - 20 min. lunch break on top, was almost 5-hrs.
Trail signs are easy to follow into the valley and across the bridges.
Current view of the Snow Covered Bridges: Bridges at the start...
Square Top Lake 1 with frozen edges, Square Top Mtn. in background: Lower Square Top Lake
You will need to pick your own trail up the SE ridge - you will wrap around the Mountain staying to climbers left to the ridge,
you will encounter a false summit, but very nice summit walk: SE - Ridge View - Mt. Bierstadt
Square Top Summit:
True Summit
Final view of Bierstadt and Sawtooth from Square Top paved parking area : Mt. Bierstadt from Parking lot
Final thoughts, very easy to get to trail-head on paved road. The Square Top Mtn. is less traveled than Bierstadt, so very pleasurable hike and climb.
My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
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