Pikes Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/4/2025, By: bigfoot1
Info: One set of skin tracks on the road already. I broke out a separate snowshoe track up the road and to the Devil's Playground junction (and up to UN 10966). Looks like about 4-6" of new fluff, and at least down low, pretty easy trail breaking. Some cracking and unstable snow even along the flat crags trail, so be careful going up to Pike's Peak. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: 6 Mar 2025 Road is fine to bareboot now and looks like others have tried to head up to pikes peak summit. Someone (I'm guessing Nanc, Toby, Trapper, and Joe) left a note in the snow saying "Do not go." Looking at pikes peak from UN 10786, above treeline looks pretty windswept so I'm guessing below treeline is the limiting factor. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 3/2/2025, By: MaryinColorado
Info: Trail is packed from winter closure until treeline. Above treeline, pick your poison. On ascent, I opted not to follow the route out of treeline and instead stayed further climber's left where snow coverage was either more thin or non-existent. I analyzed for avy potential before deciding to proceed knowing how much that slope would be baking in the sun later. I did not *personally* have any concerns. From where the slope tops out until the summit, things felt more tedious with decent snow coverage. Especially after Devil's Playground, there are stretches of trail that are disguised by snow. I didn't care for the snow crossing below Little Pikes at all especially with the sketchy run-out. I was glad to have all the things: spikes, axe, poles. The push through the boulders was not the worst ever; the snow is mostly consolidated. Descent was a different ball game until far enough back down in the thick of the forest. The day got hot, the snow got baked. The slip-and-slide snow became more prominent - and annoying. I followed standard route all the way this time down the slope to treeline. There is much deeper snow present in the route, so plenty of postholing to be had. Overall, good conditions with an appropriate amount of tediousness. Haha. I was glad to have spikes, poles, and axe, though. I did carry snowshoes the whole way, but I didn't end up using them. Conditions are "in between" enough that I think it comes down to personal preference. I have a higher tolerance for wallowing/postholing on the downhill, but anybody who doesn't will be glad to have snowshoes. I was close to putting them on, and maybe I would have if the sun bake was even more severe. So, I would say it's still a good idea to carry them, just in case. I showed 17 miles and 4,760' gain total. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 2/28/2025, By: amandanicole
Info: Significant snow up high since the last update. Trail packed nicely from Crags TH to treeline. From there to Devil's Playground was great early morning when it was still frozen solid, and very sketchy in the afternoon sun. Trail mostly buried above the road, will probably melt quickly through the boulders if it stays sunny. Used microspikes up and snowshoes part of the way down. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 2/23/2025, By: Veory
Info: Beautiful, fairly warm day. Brought snowshoes but didn't use them although there would've been a couple spots where they might have been helpful, did use micro spikes up to devils playground and no traction after that / on the way down. Took us 8 hr 40 min, pretty fast moving getting to treeline and the upper bit, the section below devils playground was the slowest as usual with snow. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/21/2025, By: bigfoot1
Info: I didn't summit, just went to crags. The road and up to the junction to devils playground is very solidly packed out. I didn't use any traction at all today. Passed 2 people coming down from Pikes Peak around 1300 who said about 3 miles from the trailhead, there are a bunch of wind drifts that they postholed through. Also said it might have been slightly faster to switch to snowshoes but they didn't think it was worth it. They were both wearing spikes. They also didn't summit, but did say the wind was picking up and was probably 40mph from the steep bit and that it was supposed to go up to 80-100mph later tonight. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/10/2025, By: outerbanksdad
Info: I arrived at the gate at 9:00 pm the night before, but it was still locked. I left my car at 4:00 am, and the temperature was a chilling -10 degrees. Both my iPhone and Zelo struggled to function in the cold, as they are rated for -4 degrees according to their specifications. I tucked them into my base layer pocket, and thankfully, they started working again. Unfortunately, all my water had frozen. The snow was about 18-24 inches deep all the way to the trailhead, and thats where the real adventure began. Even with snowshoes, I found myself sinking up to my knees and sometimes my waist for the first 2.5 miles. After that, I managed to go about another 200 yards to a switchback that had 3-4 feet of steep, hard-packed snow. I had to use my ice axe, but when I reached the top, I post-holed deeply and broke one of my hiking poles. At that point, I realized there was no way I could summit, even with another pole due to the time. I didn't want to get back late at night because of my slow speed with the snow progress. I made the decision to turn back and it took me until noon to make it back to my vehicle. This would have been my 14th 14er in the last six months. I climbed Princeton in November, where the snow was abundant but well-packed, which made things easier. On my way back, I encountered a member of COSAR who mentioned that I had missed the best window for ascending until spring. He noted that with that much snow, it would likely stick around until then. I'll try again in the spring for another accent. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/4/2025, By: Dan Kearney
Info: Parked at the gate closure a mile down the road from the trail head. Hard packed trail all the way to treeline. Above treeline to the summit was a mix of snow and dirt, but navigation was straightforward. Snow on the push up to the summit had a few trap doors. Flotation is definitely not needed, but spikes and poles were helpful for some sections. Went over Devils Playground Peak and Little Pikes on the way up and there were no issues. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 1/6/2025, By: Jonathan Deffenbaugh
Info: Climbed the East Slopes route via the Incline. Route was doable without snowshoes, however microspikes and trekking poles were a must for balance on a snow slope crossing to access the main switchback going across the East Face to the 13,300' overlook. Regardless the route was still easy to follow, however one can climb the East Face directly to the main switchback to save time if needed, since there wasn't as much snow, compared to the right side of East Slope. Not much had changed as far as route conditions go since I had also climbed the route back on winter solstice, however that may change with this week's 6-11 Jan storms coming through. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 11/14/2024, By: dfryberg
Info: Snow on the trail to Barr camp, drifted over in places but passable without traction. Snowshoes a must 1/2 mile after Barr camp. I broke trail almost to 8 mile marker at 11,400, very slow going. Snow depth kept increasing causing postholing at times even with snow shoes. pics from around 5 mile, and then the trail above 7.5 mile showing it in front of me unbroken, and below. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/23/2024, By: pklotzbach
Info: Climbed Barr Trail from Manitou Springs. There is 3-6" of snow in spots above the A-Frame, with the deepest snow on the 16 Golden Stairs. I didn't use traction climbing up, but it was really helpful coming down. There are also some icy spots between the Bottomless Pit Trail junction and the A-Frame, but these can all be avoided. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 10/20/2024, By: EJHannah
Info: Came up Crags. Decent bit of snow but not as bad as the Sawatch. It is avoidable until you get up to 13k. Also further avoidable if you stick to the road, which is plowed as usual. I tagged Devils Playground and Little Pikes Peak (this was my highlight of the day, fun snowy boulders). Pushed up the trail from Little Pikes Peak and it felt slower than the road moving on rock but it was definitely quicker for gaining altitude. Road adds some distance. Currently enjoying the warmth of the summit. Did not use spikes or floatation. Boot pack is pretty solid on full trail, though wind does blow it away quick. 

Route: Barr Trail
Posted On: 10/20/2024, By: Rockfordbuckeye
Info: Mixed ice/snow that did not require microspikes from about mile 7 until above tree line. Once above tree line fresh soft snow 3-6 inches deep with some deeper drifts. Crampons or microspikes not needed but poles may be helpful and waterproof boots needed. Total trip time 7hr (up only) for two experienced in deep snow (Rainier/Hood) but unacclimatized hikers. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/30/2024, By: tlgold1990
Info: Snowfree. Beautiful sunny day, a little too hot for me though. Left Barr Lot around 515am and there were only a handful of parking spots left. Packed in to Barr Camp where we had a lean to reservation. Arrived around 9am, checked in, dropped our camping gear, filtered water, ate and left around 930am, continuing to the summit. Took me forever because of the heat but made it to the summit. Enjoyed the donuts, some food and refilled our water before heading back. Summit house closes at 3pm and in the gift shop they do have a station for hikers to refill water. I asked about the free donuts. I was told they don't do free donuts for hikers but they ended up "doing it this one time for free"... so for what that's worth, ask!!! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 9/26/2024, By: nathanolds146
Info: Almost entirely snow free after last week's storm. Snow only present below treeline. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/1/2024, By: Pwrfghtr08
Info: No parking at trailhead at 5:40 am, had to park in Manitou. Trail wasn't very crowded once you get past the top of the incline. No difficulties on the trail.