6/21/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/22/2023, By: MTBMTN Info: Per other reports, trail is clear below tree line. 4:30 AM start meant that we had no problem crossing the few snowfields left above 11,800. The snowiest part is the final 300 ascent before the summit. I used spikes for that, but my partner didnt and was fine. We decided not to traverse to Tabeguache as there looked to be significant snowfields left and given the warm temp thought that they would soften considerably. |
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6/18/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/21/2023, By: bribaker2001 Info: Very rocky trail all the way to Tabeguache. All clear below 11,500', with a couple snowfields to cross above, especially between Shavano to Tabeguache. Microspikes and poles are recommended. |
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6/18/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/18/2023, By: Cruiser Info: Nice climb up Shavano this morning. The lower tail has some water running down a couple of sections. There's a bit of mud in places as well. When you get higher there are some short snow fields to cross just below treeline but nothing steep or dangerous. Above treeline there's some intermittent snow to contend with as you make your way to the saddle and along the final push to the summit. None of the snow fields were deep enough or long enough to warrant snowshoes but some folks might benefit from micro spikes (about half of the people I saw up high today were wearing them). It was a beautiful day with just a few white puffy clouds but the wind was ferocious from the saddle to the summit. Saw a number of hikers without adequate gear for the chilly conditions near the summit. Bring a pair of gloves and a beanie, guys. If you need em you'll be damned glad to have em |
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6/18/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/18/2023, By: prddraper Info: Similar to the post earlier this week. Summer conditions below tree line. Snow up top. You dont have to use micro spikes but it was nice to have. I saw many others with them on. |
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6/16/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/16/2023, By: ssowalskie Info: The trail is in mostly summer condition until tree line. After that, there are a few small snowfields between 12,000' and 12,800', and then a decent amount of snow on the slope heading up to the saddle between Shavano and the peak to the south. The trail is mostly clear on the summit ridge, with a bit of snow on the upper half. There are several trails heading up the ridge, some more prominent than others. The peak had some snow, but it was largely avoidable. I didn't use traction or flotation at all, though I did encounter some mild postholing on the way down. Car to car it took just under 7 hours, including summitting Tabeguache Peak and time spent on both summits. |
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6/11/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/12/2023, By: JakeBortClimb Info: Barely any snow coverage, except for about 250 yards of intermittent through end of the tree line, and two steeper sections up on the summit. Flotation wasnt needed as the snow is quite short and soft- would recommend spikes but theyre not required. You might post hole on the way down, I descended Angel on my board- definitely thinning out but still a nice ride! |
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6/10/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/11/2023, By: Balancing1076 Info: Started very late and did not make it last tree line due to extremely soft snowfield. Trail to tree line was beautiful. Stream is running on the trail between miles 1-2. Other hikes summited earlier in the day and said snowfields were wild with mid thigh postholing. Start early to get ahead of the thaw. Lower trail is summer conditions but above tree line needs 1-2 more weeks for easy passing. |
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6/10/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/11/2023, By: ztweb Info: Not a suffer fest anymore, but not yet summer conditions. Trail was completely free of snow until 11,800', then was patchy until the summit of Shavano (the entire path that cuts across the slope has melted out though). I began the ascent around 3:30am and the snow was extremely hard, so I never postholed. During the descent (after Tabeguache), the snow had softened considerably, but still supported my weight for the most part. I found microspikes helpful, but saw plenty of people without them. |
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6/4/2023 Route: Angel of Shavano Posted On: 6/5/2023, By: badams Info: Skied Angel of Shavano w a group of four. Instead of turning off the main standard route and following the GPX for Angel of Shavano, we decided to stay on the main path. This was a good idea because we found out on the ski out that it would have been a heinous approach. The main ascent trail is snow-free until tree line, then mixed snow and rock patches. Supportable snow for the most part, we switched to skins at treeline and realized booting it was the smarter choice so hiked in ski boot til the main trail intersects the Angel formation. The looker's left (south) arm of the angel goes almost the whole way up to the ridge between Esprit Point and Shavano summit. Good times. The ski out, once below ~11k elevation, was a thin and we had to find a path to keep on our skis. At ~10.5k, we were back in our boot hiking to the intersection w the main trail. The snow in these trees probably won't be around much longer, and the lower part of the Angel is thinning out too. Go get it soon if you're gettin' it. "Have a day" as one hiker said |
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6/4/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/4/2023, By: gregpeak Info: The trail is clear and dry to just below tree line. After that it's about 50% snow covered to the summit. There is a solid trench through it so no flotation is needed. I wore micro spikes, and I was glad I had them. |
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6/2/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/4/2023, By: natecall50 Info: Summited Shavano and Tabeguache on June 2nd. I found microspikes to be useful for the traverse to Tabeguache. Found a single snowshoe close to where the standard route connects with the angel route at around 12,800 feet. If the owner of this happens to see this send me an email and I'll see about getting it back to you: natecall50@gmail.com. |
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6/1/2023 Route: Angel of Shavano Posted On: 6/1/2023, By: Habret Info: Hiked east slopes, skied Angel. The body is still filled in from the saddle, but melting fast. Maintaining a continuous ski line below 13,000' is difficult, but there's still a little bit of fun near treeline. Overall, not particularly worth bringing skis right now. Microspikes will help you! |
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6/1/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 6/1/2023, By: Nlogan2534 Info: The trail is clear up to about 12,000 feet. From about 12,200 to 12,800 there is significant snow coverage on the trail. The snow was firm and east to manage early in the morning, but it was slushy and a bit treacherous later in the day on the way down. Getting up to the saddle at 13,400ish is mixed. Some snow crossing is required. The final 800 vertical feet to the summit is mixed with some steeper snow climbing required. I did it without traction, but I did have poles which were a big help. |
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5/27/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 5/27/2023, By: Jason Halladay Info: Standard route up Shavano to Tabeguache & back is straight forward intermittent snow and rocks. Traction and snowshoes not needed. Plenty of snow around treeline but kicked in steps/track makes it easy. Go early to minimize postholing. |
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5/27/2023 Route: East Slopes Posted On: 5/30/2023, By: rambis_21 Info: Don't miss the Angel trail turn off if you want to avoid major bushwacking through trees. We found the trail on the way down. Snowshoes were helpful on the way down still with snow in trees below the angel. Snow is mostly avoidable. next week or 2 will melt much more and snowshoes won't be needed. Decent amount of snow up Tab from the saddle. Glissaded down Angel was awesome. Almost too soft around 11:00 am. Without Gators meant no way to keep boots dry. Worth it. |
