1/20/2024 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 1/20/2024, By: daway8 Info: Had this group climb planned for a while but almost cancelled due to the dire avy warnings from CAIC. But webcams and recent satellite views seemed to indicate Shav was much more bare than other peaks and didn't seem to get the massive snow of nearby Monarch. Still, not wanting to put the group at risk, after a very detailed study of the maps to identify potential problem areas, I took the day off Friday and drove down to get eyes on it myself and hike part of the trail. Indeed, much of the area had too little snow to have avy concerns - lots of bare ground (but for reference the Angel is loaded). Convinced we could find a safe route to the windswept East Ridge (staying away from the partly loaded East Slopes standard route) we took pretty much the standard trail until a little below treeline where it hits the ridge and then left the trail and went ridge direct the rest of the way. First couple of miles from the Angel of Shavano Trailhead most of the group didn't bother with snowshoes but eventually everyone put them on despite occasional dry patches and very thin areas. All extremely low angle terrain amongst mature trees. Many of the slopes even below treeline were totally bare or had too little snow to be of concern. We did end up on one steep slope that was fully coated before hitting the bare ridgeline. Evaluated carefully and went spread out with beacons on but the sun was slamming the slope so much that it seems to have obliterated the potential danger, at least for now. After that it was almost all rock with some annoying patches of snow in pockets between the rocks. All seven of us got Shav, most of the group also tagged Tab and a couple threw in 13,712 as well. Split up some during the day but everyone finished within 12-13hrs (some of our group was much faster than others, lol). Some folks ran out of water because it was so freaking warm. The ridge goes on forever but keeps you well away from the potential danger of the Angel. Do be aware that historical satellite imagery shows avy scars sometimes running all the way down to the standard trail. Please study everything carefully and know where potential problem areas are and how to avoid them. Be willing and knowledgeable of how to re-route based on current conditions. YMMV. |
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11/17/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 11/18/2023, By: jaroberto Info: I successfully ascended Mt. Shavano by the East Slopes route on Friday, 11/17, and found seasonal conditions. Below tree line there is spotty ice in the shaded areas of the trail. Above tree line snow is starting to fill in the troughs and gaps between rocks (see photos). The trail was still easy to follow and did not merit additional traction. It was a beautiful clear day but very cold and windy. Too cold to try for Tabeguache. The road is still open to the trailhead. If you hike this trail keep an eye for the awesome Douglas-fir trees that span the lower reaches. |
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10/14/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 10/15/2023, By: R7777777 Info: Clear day with some wind. Shavano had only some snow patches but no need for anything. Tabeguache had a lot of snow which made it tricky to maneuver and hard to find the trail. |
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10/14/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 10/14/2023, By: Will_E Info: Quick trip up Shavano today, summer conditions, just a light dusting of snow up high. |
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10/7/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 10/7/2023, By: amderr22 Info: There is a little snow above 13,000 feet but I never felt the need to use my microspikes. Fall colors are right at peak - get it while the getting is good! |
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9/24/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: gtalmage1 Info: No snow on entire route to Shavano. The traverse to Tabaguache does still have quite a bit of snow, didnt use any gear though because lots of rocks are also exposed and was walking on a combination of terrain. Hike up Tab is free of snow. |
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9/16/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/16/2023, By: Hiking_TheRockies Info: Snowy from 10,700' on. It was as deep as 6 inches in some places, especially near the summit. Looks like someone made a go at Tab, but there was not a visible trail across the traverse. Absolute slushy mess going down. Microspikes and gaiters are a great idea. With more snow due this week, the window for a (relatively) good conditions ascent is closing fast! |
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8/31/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 9/2/2023, By: Ariella6 Info: trail dry and in summer conditions. Road is considerably rough to get there. My honda pilot managed but there was some rough spots and spots where the road had been weathered by water. Bathroom at parking lot BUT someone had locked it and no one was in there. Cows near beginning of trailhead. Lots of rocks on trail. Trail is clear up to near top and then kind of choose your own adventure. |
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7/19/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/25/2023, By: riverman55 Info: did both Shavano and Tabeguache was not expecting how much bouldering was involved doing both these mountains definitely added time to the RT. beautiful day got really windy going up Shavano. |
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7/15/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/15/2023, By: derekpetrie Info: Full summer conditions. Wildflowers in full bloom and everywhere. Note, new trail section opened below treeline. Adds ~.75mi to the route by my estimate. |
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7/9/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/9/2023, By: glenhanderson Info: The road into the Shavano TH is the crux of this climb. It's about 10 miles of gravel and there are sections with lots of large rocks, potholes, and washouts to navigate. High clearance and some driving skills advised. We made it to the TH around 6:15am on a Sunday. It was not full, but lots of activity. Colorado trip is coming to a close, so we wanted to tag 2 14ers at once and since we were staying close by, chose Shavano and then over to Tabeguache (pronounced TAB-uh-wash). This hike is no joke. It's about 11 miles and 5400' gain, with significant rocky portions and some boulder hopping. The entire route to both mountains is snow free. There are a few patches but they are easily avoided. There is one river water source (since you'll need to carry lots of liquid on a hot sunny day) about 1.5 miles in from the TH. With proper motivation, we made short order of the hike to Shavano in just over 3 hours. After eating, drinking, and resting for 15 mins, we embarked on the traverse to Tabeguache. This is where things get tough, after you've hiked up almost 5 miles and 4500'! The climb down Shavano to the saddle is long and bouldery. On the other have, the 400' gain climb up to top of Tabeguache goes fast. We made it in around 15 mins. The climb back up the bouldery route on Shavano was the toughest part of the climb. We rested again and then embarked on the long 5 mile descent. It seemed to last forever. The trail was steeper and rockier than I remember on the way up, of course. We got lucky with the weather, no clouds or thunderstorms forecast and none showed up. So didn't have to rush off the summits before noon. |
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7/1/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 7/4/2023, By: gradyyoung Info: No snow or ice on the trail. Well maintained. I would say this is just a step up from the easiest 14ers. Little bit of scrambling with a couple hundred feet to summit. Beautiful views at the top. However the trip to Tabegauche from Shavano is another story. Scrambling 80% of the time with lots of snow covering the "trail" to the top of Tabegauche. Still a lot of fun though. |
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6/29/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/29/2023, By: apfox500 Info: virtually no snow the whole way up shavanos east slopes, definitely summer conditions. |
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6/28/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/28/2023, By: mcosby Info: Route in very good condition. Didnt really even touch snow on Shavano. There is some snow on top of Tabeguache, but can be easily avoided or walked on (when firm) without spikes since it is very well traveled. |
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6/24/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/25/2023, By: AndrewJCraigie Info: Barely any snow, any you can avoid any patches that are left. Nice day aside from some stronger than expected winds that had people turning around |
