Quandary Peak

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 9/22/2024, By: AurumSun13
Info: Ridge was in good conditions for the vast majority of the route. There was some snow patches in between the notches throughout the class 3 sections. Although there the many little cairns were helpful, the first one on the ridge itself led me away from & around the "crack wall" as the route describes. That was the story for most of the cairns. They generally led in the "correct" direction, but not necessarily the best or most fun direction. Plus they also lead you too far to the right going up the initial gully toward the ridge. Just stick to the route description on this site & you'll be fine. I'd say this was definitely more technically difficult than other class 3's that I've done (Sneffles & Kelso ridge on Torreys). Don't underestimate this route. Do your trail research & take your time. Have fun out there and stay safe everyone! 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 9/14/2024, By: leesnj
Info: Perfect weather. Some remnants of a recent snowfall in the deeper parts of the Class 3 area at the top making traversing each crevice to begin climbing again more dangerous. But still doable with the right footwear and keen awareness. The route finding in this area is also not the easiest - managed to make one of the mini-descents a Class 4. Ascended in approx 3.30 hrs, descended via the standard route due to the snow as described. 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 9/9/2024, By: samfarmer789
Info: perfect conditions, great route, just be sure to stay to the left side once you get up through the valley and start climbing towards the ridge. There are little cairns around but the further left, the better - as left as the snow field - then once you get to the top there is a giant stick sticking straight up and you can head more right from there and go right up the ridge. Rock was super solid & the ridge was really fun! Took me 2:26 to get up from the car, went down standard route & then had to do the extra 1.8 mi to the car - 4:44 total. I want to go back & get Fletcher now haha 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 7/22/2024, By: Kbrown321
Info: Was saving this one for a rainy day (which today ended up being) and at 6mi 2.6k vert it was perfect. Almost fully summer conditions on the West Ridge, snow in the basin doesnt cover the trail and theres only one small snowfield on the ridge that requires either a bypass on ridge proper or a loose 1-2 steps. In general felt the comments about tough route finding were a bit overblown with solid trail all the way up to 14k and a ridge that goes proper most of the time except for well documented bypasses. Descended standard route down past the S side cliffs then cut back on talus to the blue lakes TH past an old cabin. Ridge was good fun, wish it was a bit longer! 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 7/2/2024, By: AustinBreakingBeta
Info: Still several spots of snow. We had trekking poles, but would have been nice to have micro spikes and maybe an axe. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/30/2024, By: Nataldo and Co
Info: Good trail conditions with only moderate traffic.as of 06/29. Don't follow the google directions to the trailhead, as they take you further up the road with no parking (the parking is almost immediately off the highway). The trail was dry till ~14,000' with the final approach still having snow pack. Several people struggled and slipped without climbing aids. Poles are sufficient, spikes make things easier but are not needed. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/30/2024, By: ConnorLewGym
Info: Fun hiking conditions. The shuttle was convenient and will start running every half hour to and from Breckenridge on July 1 (updated from every hour right now). Trail workers were keeping the trail in pristine condition as we hiked. Started at 5:45 am and took 5 hours 4 minutes round trip. No mud and only snow for the last push to the summit. We brought spikes but didn't use them, though poles did help. Happy climbing! 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/25/2024, By: beervendor
Info: Picture perfect day on the mountain! Completely mud-free, and almost totally snow-free EXCEPT for the last couple hundred yards to the summit. It was a little soft and slippery here - spikes might be useful but are in no way necessary. Summer is here! 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 6/25/2024, By: bradyj
Info: West ridge was mostly free of snow. Only 2 snow crossings but werent bad. The basin on approach still holds a fair amount of snow. We did it with micro spikes but an axe wouldve been nice. But not necessary. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/16/2024, By: 569isdfg
Info: Very clear day today. Started at 5AM and summited at 8:30. There was about 2-3 areas of snow that was still hard-ish when ascending, spikes and poles recommended, but not needed. After 9AM it started to soften which made it easy to slip. Spikes and poles highly recommended if climbing/ascending after 10AM. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/16/2024, By: mjm1231
Info: Quandry Peak 6/15/24 Conditions: 1st leg in trees dry, no snow. Above the tree line, 3 or 4 large snowfields that arent going anywhere soon. We made it 4/5ths of the summit pitch on rocks. Last large snowfield to summit, maybe 150 yards, crusty at 9:30am, slushy at 10:30 on descent. Had spikes, didnt use them. Postholed two or three times. Slush made for slow descent. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/18/2024, By: mjm1231
Info: Quandry Peak 6/15/24 Conditions: 1st leg in trees dry, no snow. Above the tree line, 3 or 4 large snowfields that arent going anywhere soon. We made it 4/5ths of the summit pitch on rocks. Last large snowfield to summit, maybe 150 yards, crusty at 9:30am, slushy at 10:30 on descent. Had spikes, didnt use them. Postholed two or three times. Slush made for slow descent. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/14/2024, By: tate_voeller
Info: There was no snow till above the tree line, so there was no need for micro spikes, but bring them if you don't feel comfortable on snow. Started around 5:10 am and summited at 7:20. Not too much mud or wetness besides snow. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/9/2024, By: Chrisfish25
Info: Trail mostly melted out to treeline. No spikes needed for the ascent at all if youre comfortable walking on snow. They really dont help or do much with how sloppy it is, at least for the up. I put them on for the down so I could bomb down the upper ridge. Can get away without them depending on comfortability. Pretty much snow the entire way just above treeline to summit. Can rock hop a lot of the upper ridge. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2024, By: apassler
Info: Started my summit at 4:45am. The weather overnight didnt get cold enough to freeze any of the snow, so immediately ascending you can hear and see the water running off different parts of the mountain. The first part of the hike, prior to selecting the summer or winter route, there was hardly any snow and the trails were just a bit muddy as the temperature had been in the 40s even around 5am. However, micro spikes are sparingly needed if you take the summer trail, which I would recommend as the winter trails snow is too soft, even postholing as early as 5-6am. The summer route is quite clear and easy to follow already but can get through without micro spikes for a majority of it. However, once you start moving towards the false summit and the actual peak, you absolutely need microspikes. I got to the summit around 9am and it was in the 60s at this point and lots of post hiking up to the knee or higher in some areas.