Mt. Shavano

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/20/2024, By: Will_E
Info: Lots of snow on Shavano, trail is still easy to follow through trees, a short distance past treeline it becomes harder to follow. I was initially behind a couple visiting from Sweden doing their first 14'er, they followed the trail, I broke off and went up more directly above the Angel, they caught up to me before I left summit, I followed their tracks to get back down. Nice day, clouds were spectacular. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/15/2024, By: PJ88
Info: Not a true conditions report, but just a kudos to the CFI for all the work they have done on this route. The portions they have worked on are night and day versus what they used to be. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/12/2024, By: Clay5981
Info: Nice day out! CFI is doing a good amount of maintenance above the standard route, which will eventually make the route shorter, but climb faster (I'm guessing). Be sure to stay on the main trail until it's connected. Storms came in around 1000, so definitely good to get an early start on this combo (if you opt to do both). Huge thanks to CFI for all the work you guys do! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/3/2024, By: jts26
Info: Trail completely in summer conditions. Was very windy, but otherwise a good day! Thanks CFI for the work you guys are doing to improve this route! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/26/2024, By: chelsluckb2
Info: Hiked on 6/25. Went up the standard route of Shavano and then over to Tab. It is essentially summer conditions all the way up. About 2 miles in, the trail is full of runoff for about half a mile. Most of this can be avoided by walking on the side of the trail, but waterproof shoes probably wouldn't hurt. The only snowfield I encountered is at the top of Tab. I was able to bypass it entirely by going left and hugging the base of the snowfield to reach the summit. Beautiful day! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/24/2024, By: jpoyfair
Info: Summer conditions. Didn't have to avoid any snow until I got to Tab. The trail basically straddles a creek for a while. There were lots of bugs- don't forget your bug spray. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/19/2024, By: ceciliatimberg
Info: Route was almost completely dry to the summit with two small and very avoidable snowfields. Below treeline, there was about 3/4 mile of trail that was a small river due to snowmelt. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/17/2024, By: bethyhewes
Info: Summer conditions up Shavano and over to Tabeguache as well. No spikes needed and any small snow patches are totally avoidable. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/15/2024, By: hwy2bell
Info: As another mentioned, summer-like conditions and mosquitoes. Bug spray did not help. Keep moving when youre near the creek and/or below tree line. 4-5 small, soft snow patches. Spikes would have been useless. Today was very hot. Post holes have been smushed into paths and will likely be melted soon. No snow for the last 1,000. Did not continue to Tabeguache. The saddle is still snow-covered. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/14/2024, By: Kcmartinez22
Info: Full summer. Wore approach shoes. I dont recall mosquitos being this bad on Shav before? Maybe its all the water running down the trail @2 miles in? Take your bug spray. They back. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/14/2024, By: HybridShark
Info: Took the standard route up the other day, no issues whatsoever. The only real advice I have is waterproof shoes would be helpful, about a mile in the trail turns into a runoff stream for a good half a mile and you spend a lot of energy jumping left and right over it, so it was nice having actual boots this time so just tank a step into ankle deep water when necessary, but they're by NO means required. The trail crosses snow once or twice but it was pretty solid and likely wont last more than a few weeks. There were also some skiers but I cant imagine why. There is a line about a mile long down the angel, but conditions looked atrocious and from the summit you can see 5 mountains which are in much better shape for backcountry than Shavano, but to each their own, I guess it is a quicker way down. TL;DR, the season has started, Most people were out in trail runners, have fun! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/8/2024, By: minnesotanclimber
Info: Climbed Shavano via East Slopes today. I parked and camped near the trailhead Friday night around 9:30PM, plenty of parking still available. Cars starting filling into the lot around 4AM. I will post a separate trailhead conditions update in that section. I started at 4:30AM and finished around 11:15AM. It was HOT on the way down today. Most of the trail is in great shape, especially the first couple miles. Starting around 10,800ft, after the stream crossing, a full stream has overtaken the trail. This lasts for about 200ft of elevation before tapering off. Follow the stream as best you can without getting wet. It eventually ends and becomes a normal dry trail again. The rest of the trail has an occasional snowfield near and above treeline (especially right before the saddle), but I did not need spikes, snowshoes, or an axe. I'd leave these at home going forward; the trail is essentially in summer conditions. As for the traverse to Tabeguache: I bailed on this after seeing how much snow is on the ridge, and how slushy it was becoming. It will likely be quicksand after 7AM until it completely melts, which might be a few weeks out. The Angel is just about gone, but a couple souls did ascend, and a different pair did a ski descent. I opted not to glissade given the thinness of the snow. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/8/2024, By: PJ88
Info: A few snow fields across the switchbacks leading up to the saddle that wont be there long. Tabeguache had some snow holding towards the summit. I left my ax in my car so did not attempt. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/3/2024, By: amandanicole
Info: Made the summit in trail runners in the afternoon- snow too soft for microspikes to help. Snowfields cover parts of the trail so be ready to get creative. 

Route: Angel of Shavano
Posted On: 6/1/2024, By: khavos
Info: Angel is still in, but it is definitely starting to thin out. Started up the Angel at around 6:15, snow was great. I did manage to lose my crampons from the back of my pack if any followers happened to grab them, I would greatly appreciate it.