Huron Peak

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/13/2024, By: YourLocalGP
Info: I want to thank folks posting condition updates over the last two weeks because y'all meant I booked a flight out here and back just to do Huron Peak. The 2mi 4WD stretch has been ploughed/bulldozed recently. The trailhead parking even had a standard Rav 4 there. I forgot to pack a head torch so began late, 6am at the trailhead. The stream that has caused others' wet feet was easily traversable. Exiting the tree line was cold and windy, 45 F at 6.40am. Otherwise perfect conditions this weekend. No snow anywhere near the trail itself. 

Route: North Ridge from Lulu Gulch
Posted On: 7/9/2024, By: mheaney551
Info: I did this hike on 7/8/2024. Very much appreciate the prior posts (in particular MFTSAI and jordanthebuff) to prepare for this hike. Ascended via Lulu Gulch and descended via the standard route. I agree that both routes are in summer conditions. I took the route over Middle Mountain, UN 13,471 (formerly UN 13,462), Browns Peak, and then finally summited Huron Peak. The flooded section of road jordanthebuff mentioned is now passable by careful stone hopping. I pretty much stayed on the ridge between Browns Peak and Huron Peak except a talus hopping detour to the west side of UN 13,518. The rocks were at least dry. Incredibly good weather the entire day and really wonderful views the entire route! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/8/2024, By: ColoNativeGal
Info: Similar to other recent report - summer conditions and ice on the steps leading out of the high meadow. No traction needed, but just watch your step early in the morning. 4wd road, I made it to just before the mud pit in my giant F350, was a little tight in spots width wise. I parked in the clearing just before the mud pit thinking it was the TH, not realizing until I looked at my gps. Wasn't a big deal to walk the extra half mile each way. Could have made it through the mud pit no problem, had the clearance. Someone had a Suburban up there camping before the mud pit as well. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 7/6/2024, By: bagelbattalion
Info: Full summer conditions. Only troublesome water crossing is actually on the 4WD road if you're hiking up. May be a way to go around the willows on the edge of the road but it was dark so we didn't waste time looking. Is ankle deep in some sections but if you're careful you won't get soaked - would still be good for your hiking shoes / trail runners to be waterproof anyway. Stone stairs above the basin are very slick before the sun hits them in the morning, they were iced over from runoff so just exercise caution there. Gorgeous day out! 

Route: North Ridge from Lulu Gulch
Posted On: 7/4/2024, By: MFTSAI
Info: I did this hike on 7/4/2024. Ascend via Lulu Gulch and descend via the standard route. Both routes are in summer conditions. A portion of the switchbacks to Middle Mountain was severely eroded with the path becoming quite narrow and covered with loose rocks. All else are good. 

Route: North Ridge from Lulu Gulch
Posted On: 7/2/2024, By: jordanthebuff
Info: Ascended via the Lulu Gulch/Brown's Peak direct, descended standard route. Lulu Gulch trail is nearly summer conditions. Just before the turn to take either the switchbacks or go direct to Brown's Peak, the trail was completely swamped. Nearly a foot deep water covering the road/trail for at least 30-40 yards. I was not interested in cold, wet feet for the rest of the day, so I opted to go up the adjacent slope and cut over higher up (see blue line on photo). Didn't have to deal with willows too much, just a few steps. Otherwise, no snow to deal with. The rocks on the ridge between Brown's and Huron were wet due to rain, and were very slippery, but stable. Even with going off trail and finding my own route, it only took 2:30 to get to Brown's summit, then another 1:10 to get to Huron going extremely slow over the wet talus. Standard trail is basically early summer conditions. It's fairly easy to do the whole trail and not get your feet wet. There are times when the trail is completely submerged, but you can rock hop around it. One small snow bank left to cross (10 steps) but it's been packed down so much that it's not an issue. Wind was an issue today. No problem with mosquitos. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/22/2024, By: wmanke13
Info: Summited Huron this morning via the standard route. I left the 2WD lot at 2:40, summited 5:15, spent 30 minutes or so capturing the most stunning sunrise Ive ever seen, and returned to the 2WD lot at 7:30. The 4WD road has one tricky water crossing that barely got my feet wet both times I crossed. From the upper trailhead to treeline is completely dry, apart from the stream crossing which has a few logs to make it nice and easy. From treeline to the ridge is 90% dry with some avoidable runoff and a snowfield maybe 100 yard long, ankle to calf deep. If youre up there before the sun hits, some of the rocks have a thin layer of ice - almost ate it a few times. From the ridge to the top, completely dry. New favorite 14er - so much bang for not a lot of buck! 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/21/2024, By: brighthtonhiker
Info: Trail mostly clear. The only place there was snow was in the basin. We post-holed a few times crossing a couple snow fields. Definitely dont need micro-spikes. Snow seems to be melting quickly. One picture shows the snow in the basin we encountered prior to reaching the steep slope. Second picture shows snow fields as seen from near the peak of Huron. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/20/2024, By: maylemay1
Info: The trail is completely dry other than the snowfield in the basin. It was pretty solid in the morning and we had minor postholing on the way down around 10 am. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/15/2024, By: ssowalskie
Info: The trail was in near-summer conditions today, no spikes or snowshoes necessary. There are a few small patches of snow on the switchbacks on the trail, as well as one large snowfield in the basin and a short snowfield at the summit. The snowfield was mostly hard-packed when I crossed it on my ascent, though I still punched through and post-holed a couple of times. On the way down around 10am, the snowfield had softened considerably and I post-holed through about a quarter or third of it. The trail is also slightly washed out above tree line due to runoff from the snow, so it got slightly muddy. Overall, a beautiful day on the mountain with only slight wind. Also, I'll post a trailhead report, but there's a significantly washed out section of the 4x4 road that kept most of the cars below it. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 6/1/2024, By: daway8
Info: Spring is in full on annoying mode, at least below treeline. Started from just below the 4WD portion of the road at 2:30am in the hopes of having better snow conditions. But as soon as I got in the trees it was two steps on dry ground, two steps on bulletproof snow then two steps sinking past my knees. Rinse and repeat for a couple hours. Finally put on snowshoes at 11,400ft only to remove them at 11,600 then back and forth for a while while going through bone dry sections followed by lots more snow. Finally switched to microspikes at 13,900 and left them on the rest of the day doing adjacent 13ers until back at treeline where the snowshoes came back on. Note for skiers: you might have a tiny chance of still skiing the standard route but not with your favorite skis. The summit itself is still heavily snow covered but it looked like it would take a lot of effort and maybe some billy-goating to connect to the nicely snow filled basin below. East Face still holding lots of snow and thought I maybe saw faint hints of old ski tracks but looks like a dicey run to me. Will add photos later today. 

Route: East Couloir
Posted On: 5/1/2024, By: jmanner
Info: The line is skiing extremely well. The road however is melting out, currently mostly continuous after .8 miles from the car, but there are several gaps and its melting out quickly. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 4/13/2024, By: Skimo95
Info: Parked a little after MG this morning in the dark. On return I probably couldve snow wheeled to sheep gulch, but minimal issue. Road was melting fast at 2 today, a couple of jeeps got stuck just past Sheep and got out in a timely manner. Crossed the creek with boots both times and didnt get my feet wet. Skinning up the road goes quickly, after crossing the lake I put on split crampons. It was a bit icy and somewhat steep breaking tree line. I dont know how people even consider skiing the standard route when this hidden gem exists. The terrain features are ridiculous, anything and everything (including pillows). Put in a good booter to the saddle and refreshed the other parties summit tracks. A bit of sluff but nothing to be concerned about around 11. 14.6mi 4,470 8 hours RT. The snow on return is deteriorating rapidly but should refill next week. 

Route: East Face
Posted On: 4/12/2024, By: AlpineSplit
Info: Climbed and skied the Northeast Face yesterday, conditions were very good with about 4" of soft snow on top of a solid snowpack. 

Route: Northwest Slopes
Posted On: 1/7/2024, By: EthanBeltramo
Info: Climbed Sunday 1/07. The road to Winfield is well trenched and most high clearance 4wd should make it, unless new snow falls. I was able to push another 1/2 mile or so further in a Jeep wrangler. It might be possible to get just a little further with chains. The road from Winfield to the TH is well packed for hiking. There is a nice trench from the TH to about treeline where it quickly disappears. Definitely bring floatation for above treeline until you can gain the ridge. There is some wind blown spots but deep snow is unavoidable and any trench quickly blows in. 9.5 miles RT for me which is crazy for winter on this route. Get it while you can