Pikes Peak

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/12/2024, By: greenschist
Info: The Barr Trail will be closed from Tuesday 8/13 - Wednesday 8/14, along with the Manitou Incline. From FB page for US Forest Service - PSICC: The #PikesPeakRangerDistrict of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands will move forward with removing a section of a large boulder blocking Barr Trail (#620). The removal will take place Aug. 13-14, 2024; a thorough assessment of the situation has already been completed, and all options and risks have been weighed. The boulder slid onto Barr Trail (#620) in early spring, the result of a rain-caused rockslide. The boulder is a safety hazard for visitors on the trail, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has received multiple reports on the status of the trail. Barr Trail is a very busy trail, and we want to make sure this trail and all Forest Service trails are safe and maintained for generations to come, said Pikes Peak District Ranger Carl Bauer. Removing a section of this boulder will make the route more accessible for the public and continue to be a great option for a return hike down the incline or a daytrip up Pikes Peak. Due to the nature of this work, Barr Trail (#620) and the Manitou Incline will be temporarily closed on August 13-14. The public should avoid the area on the days that work will take place, as there will be safety hazards. A top priority of the Forest Service is to increase access to public lands and for all to feel welcome to enjoy them. We appreciate the publics understanding and cooperation during this closure. For more information, contact the Pikes Peak Ranger District at 601 South Weber Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903, 719-636-1602. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/10/2024, By: joshb
Info: No parking at the barr trail lot at 4:30am. No snow encountered, but in a few locations streams have made their way into the trail (not a big deal). Clouds came in around 1-ish, and thunder was heard to the northeast but was not near. Got some rain/tiny hail and cold winds started to whip in progressively throughout the afternoon. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 8/3/2024, By: bigfoot1
Info: Great weather, still plenty of parking after 7am. No spots left at noon. Saw ~20 people on the stretch of trail before the auto road. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/4/2024, By: StevieRay
Info: Summer conditions, one very small snow crossing of maybe 30 feet is all that's left. I think I left a Garmin InReach Messenger at the Crags parking lot sometime after 10am on 7/4 when I finished up. If you happen to find it and could shoot me a message I would appreciate it! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/3/2024, By: bagelbattalion
Info: Small snowfield by Little Pikes is still there but easy to traverse. Was getting softer by 11am on return but no post-holing at that point. Had a mountain lion scamper across the trail about 60 feet ahead of us about 1.3 miles from the start of Crags on our way up. Clearly was on its way somewhere else and not concerned with us but a good reminder to be aware and making noise when below tree line. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/1/2024, By: quinnwolf
Info: Summer conditions. Technically, there are three small snow patches that cover the trail above 13,800, but they are very short ( 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/1/2024, By: emilyshikes
Info: Beautiful day and hike! Arrived around 6:30 to trailhead and there were still a few spots left along the road in front of the actual parking spots. Avoided rain and lightning despite summiting later than I had hoped, but going down was much faster. Was fairly crowded on a weekend which made the last push to the summit slow going as everyone tried to navigate around each other. Total 8h30min moving time, 34min/mile (my watch recorded 15 miles). Only one snow field left near Little Pike's, slushy but stable. Otherwise entirely summer conditions. Incredible wildflowers above treeline. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/30/2024, By: enoki
Info: Still one snow crossing below "Little Pikes" that did not require traction. Otherwise summer conditions. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/18/2024, By: Ryannelson182
Info: Almost entirely summer conditions. The two small snowfields between Devil's Playground and the summit were easily traversable without traction. As mentioned in one earlier conditions update, the hill climb is coming up. When I arrived at the road, race cars were speeding by, getting in some practice runs (before 8am). It was really cool to witness, but if you are sensitive to loud noises, you might want to bring earplugs the remainder of this week! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/17/2024, By: sdicenso
Info: Sunday June 23rd! The Pikes Peak Highway will be closed due to the hill climb. If you hike up Barr Trail, you must hike back down. The Devils Playground trail is closed at the highway as well and no hikers will be allowed to continue to the summit past the playground. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/17/2024, By: sdicenso
Info: Sunday June 23rd! The Pikes Peak Highway will be closed due to the hill climb. If you hike up Barr Trail, you must hike back down. The Devils Playground trail is closed at the highway as well and no hikers will be allowed to continue to the summit past the playground. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/9/2024, By: austin132435
Info: A few snowfields but mostly summer conditions, never used spikes or snowshoes. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/6/2024, By: emadcox
Info: Summer TH is open. The trail is clear to treeline. The trail up to the ridge gets lost in knee-thigh deep snow pretty quickly- if you go early enough the snow is hard enough to walk on- with a few surprise sink holes now and then. The trail to Devil's Playground is like walking through a landmine-- you never know when you're going to sink! The snow is about 3 feet deep here. We stopped at DP- the trail looked to be pretty snow covered. Go early and be ready to sink on your way back! It was a gorgeous day though! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/2/2024, By: tjagger
Info: I started at 5:30 am, with plenty of parking spots available. Coupons to reduce rate from 32.50 to 10 dollars available from caretakers. Trail has one tight spot due to a rock fall near mile 1.5 from the trailhead. No other problems noted up to Barr Camp. I arrived at Barr Camp, carrying snow shoes at 8:30 am. From Barr Camp to the 3 mile marker, I followed the trail and boot track with care over small snow and ice patches. I arrived here about 10:45 am. From mile three the main trail is buried, so I hiked uphill about 100 feet and contoured south to the Cabin creek drainage. I put on snowshoes at 11:15 am. I used Snowshoes from here to the summit. While my original intent was to take cabin creek and topping out on the left side of the cornice. However, the snow is not continuous and I got off route. Following snow and rock patches, I crossed the trail at the 1 mile to go sign. I then contoured uphill to 13,500' crossing a small rock pile. This led me to the firmer snow below the cornice. I think climbed directly uphill topping out just south of the cornice, at 1:30pm. After topping out I followed the snow field near the cornice east of the cog tracks for about 1/4 mile to the summit house where I arrived at 1:45 pm. I do not know if the cornice actually slides off, but I would have preferred to have an ice axe at 13,850' . I road on the cog railway back to Manitou Springs. 

Route: Y Couloir
Posted On: 5/29/2024, By: bradyj
Info: The Y and Hero Traverse are definitely in. Took the road up at 7:30 and started at 8:15. Snow was in great shape the entire climb.