February 2025 Winter 13er Gathering

[Scott P]

So who's ready for another gathering?! A couple of us are organizing a January 13er gathering where everyone is welcome. The date will be January 18 2025. Pennsylvania Mountain is the chosen destination.

A little information on Pennsylvania Mountain and why it was chosen:

Pennsylvania Mountain is one of the three easiest winter 13ers in Colorado. The other are Sniktau and Cupid, but Loveland Pass has parking issues for a group and many people have already done Sniktau and Cupid multiple times in winter.

There are accommodations in Fairplay that are much cheaper than those in mountain towns with a ski resort and there are places to camp in that area as well.

The standard route is a good one for beginners and usually has low avalanche danger. It's also not that long and is about 5 miles round trip (depending on road closure with 1500 feet elevation gain).
If you are new to winter 14ers, this will be a good one, but you have to bundle up as it will likely be cold and windy. Other than trekking poles and snowshoes, no special equipment is needed. Skiing is possible at times, but the route gets a lot of wind scour and ski conditions may or may not be good. Most of the time they aren't great for skiing. The route isn't very steep for skiing either.
Here is the information bout the route on the .com:

https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=2 ... 0280187761

[d_baker]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

[JerJerBinks]

Sounds cool
I'd be interested as long as we can do a earlyish start so I can be headed home by 3pm latest.

[CheapCigarMan]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

The TH is just the road and people would park at the end and along the side. I guess would be similar parking situation as Loveland Pass.

[Scott P]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

Maybe not at the trailhead itself, but you can park a little down the road if you need to. You can't do that at Loveland Pass since Parking is only allowed between the signs and nowhere else in the vicinity.

[Ed_Groves]

The standard route is a good one for beginners and usually has low avalanche danger. It's also not that long and is about 5 miles round trip (depending on road closure with 1500 feet elevation gain).
If you are new to winter 14ers, this will be a good one, but you have to bundle up as it will likely be cold and windy. Other than trekking poles and snowshoes, no special equipment is needed.
https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=2 ... 0280187761

I couldn't agree more. This is a great route for beginners in winter. I wish I lived closer.

[Chicago Transplant]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

Maybe not at the trailhead itself, but you can park a little down the road if you need to. You can't do that at Loveland Pass since Parking is only allowed between the signs and nowhere else in the vicinity.

I have not been to PA since they moved the trailhead slightly down the road, I think there is less parking now than there used to be? Maybe someone who has been recently can chime in.

I am a "maybe" for joining, would need good weather. I am dog sitting a husky and if it was as sunny day would be nice to get him out.

FYI at Loveland there are two small "between the signs" parking areas about 1/3 mile down the west side (summit county) of the pass. I have had to park there in winter before, though that 1/3 mile of walking the shoulder is probably the most dangerous part of the hike with cars passing you lol.

[madmattd]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

Maybe not at the trailhead itself, but you can park a little down the road if you need to. You can't do that at Loveland Pass since Parking is only allowed between the signs and nowhere else in the vicinity.

I have not been to PA since they moved the trailhead slightly down the road, I think there is less parking now than there used to be? Maybe someone who has been recently can chime in.

A quick look at satellite imagery shows 5 vehicles in the not-quite-full new Penn "parking lot" which jives with my CR from last fall saying room for 6-7 vehicles. I recall there would likely be some along-the-shoulder parking options nearby depending on the state of the road as Scott suggested - just watch the private property.

[Trotter]

Does the TH for Pennsylvania have more parking area than Sniktau??

If they are doing the Pika Trail TH or the standard for Pennsylvania, I THINK you could park along the various dirt roads as long as you aren't blocking someones driveway or the road? Not sure how realistic that is, they might plow the roads pretty narrowly.

Loveland pass for sniktau has very limited parking at the TH because all the instagram tourists are up there taking photos, but theres two very large parking lots just down the road on the A basin side.

[ajdanger]

New to winter 14ers so I'd love to join as well!

[USAKeller]

I'm one of the "others" helping Scott organize this so I'll be there along with another friend (Christa)!

[rleclair]

I haven't done PA Mountain in years! It's a nice, fun, easy 13er to do in winter. I'd be interested in joining and meeting folks that I see frequently in the forums!