3/16/2019 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 3/16/2019, By: cottonmountaineering Info: Good conditions, there are large debris fields from the past avalanche cycle on the approach. Snow was crusty/firm down low, windblown/sastrugi in the upper basin, then excellent firm snow for skiing on the upper mountain. There was also a guided backcountry group in the area ascending a loaded slope with 6-8 person groups, without any spacing between skiers. I observed that the aspect they were ascending had slid in two areas of similar slope angle up and down valley. The CAIC forecast for above treeline is still considerable in this area. If you are going on guided tours make sure your guides are AMGA certified and have suitable avalanche training. |
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2/17/2019 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 2/17/2019, By: cottonmountaineering Info: Excellent coverage in the mosquito range, was able to ski from saddle just below tweto back to London basin,mosquito looks like you could ski directly from the summit |
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6/23/2018 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 6/25/2018, By: Bombay2Boulder Info: All snowfields have melted and route is snow free. Did the loop along with Mt.Evans B. Not traction needed. |
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5/28/2018 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 5/29/2018, By: Tony1 Info: No traction needed. I was in trail runners but they got wet, of course. Multiple snowfields to cross, but you can pick your way up and back to have almost as much or as little walking on them as you like. For us, they were mostly supportive even in the afternoon, except at the edges. The final ridge to the summit was the driest part (completely), while the initial walk up the road was the wettest. |
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12/30/2017 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 12/31/2017, By: dolfh Info: Conditions are easy. Except for the wind. The summer trailhead is accessible with a high clearance 4 wheel drive. There are a few snowdrifts on the road to the summer trailhead. Snowshoes were helpful for the first mile after the summer trailhead. Not much snow higher up towards Tweto. |
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6/11/2016 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 6/11/2016, By: mike14 Info: The road you hike up has a ton of melting snow and running water for the first half mile or so. After that there are some snow fields where we post-holed a few times up to our thighs, but not too many to warrant snow shoes. Some snow on the slope up, but easily avoided or traversed. Some avoidable snow toward the summit. All in all, pretty good shape. Definitely muddy and wet. Bring extra socks or wear waterproof boots. |
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6/27/2015 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 6/28/2015, By: Ericds84 Info: Climbed Tweto from Mosquito Gulch on Saturday. Parked at the bend in the road. The snow can mostly be skirted on the ascent, but I was glad I had my ice axe with me so I could glissade down. It was very warm up there--snow is melting fast, and what‘s left is very soft. |
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11/23/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 11/23/2012, By: Eph 2 5 Info: Snow was not much of an issue. The Mosquito Pass Rd. was completely dry. I started near the point where the Mosquito Pass Road goes sharply off to the left and then turns south and goes up the first steep incline. I went north from the sharp left turn on the smaller 4WD road. There was some ice on the road in a few places, but was mostly avoidable. There was some snow in the upper basin below the saddle with Treasurevault, but I only postholed a couple dozen times. There was some snow on the SW ridge, but it was avoidable except for some narrow portions of the ridge. I carried snowshoes and microspikes, but never came close to using them. In addition, some of the peaks in the general area looked very dry. Pennsylvania Mtn. looked pretty dry above treeline. Hoosier Ridge and Red Mountain were completely dry from my vantage point on Highway 9. Silverheels looked pretty dry above treeline if you were approaching if from the south, although I couldn‘t see much of the lower part of that route because it was hidden by an intervening ridge. Quandary also appeared to be pretty dry above treeline except for a thin strip of snow that looked like it was near the main trail above treeline. North Star also looked very dry except for patches of snow along the long east/west ridge. |
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11/13/2012 Route: Southwest Ridge / Southeast Face Posted On: 11/14/2012, By: JosephG Info: Road is passable for any vehicle all the way to the parking area at the Mosquito Pass junction. Sorry, Mosquito Pass itself is closed. After that, the 4WD road into the basin towards Buckskin and Tweto has 1-4" of snow with minimal drifting. The basin to Tweto’s ridge holds even less snow. The ridge itself has small pockets of snow in between the talus, but nothing to get excited about. Snowshoes completely unnecessary. Carried but did not even think of using microspikes. Generally speaking, the northern Tenmile and Gore ranges have a decent cover of snow. The southern area is fairly dry, including North Star, Quandary, Hoosier Ridge, Bross, and Lincoln. |
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7/2/2011 Route: FS Rd 856, SW ridge Posted On: 7/4/2011, By: IHikeLikeAGirl Info: Couldn't drive far up FS Rd 856 beyond Mosquito Pass Rd, before deep snow crossed the road. Deep and long snowfields remain in the basin. Most can be avoided by staying on the eastern side of the basin. Short snowfield just before the ridge, couldn't really be avoided (pic 1), but was melting fast. I ascended the middle of the basin and motored on up using micro spikes, my partner just kicked in. The ridge to the summit was basically snow free (pic 2). BEWARE: ~1/2 way up the basin, I ascended a snowfield that apparently made a snow bridge with a cliff band and I almost fell through. Ascended the solid snow with a 1-2 ft high, benign looking, line of rock across the top. Near the top, 2-3 ft from rock, my right leg punched through up to my hip. I tried to push myself up with my right hand, that too punched through. I looked down and saw my leg dangling in an airy void, with rock quite a ways below me. Not sure of the depth...10' maybe?...wasn't concerned with estimating at that time.... Fortunately, my left leg and hand stayed on top of the snow and I gingerly got my leg out of the hole and onto the rock. Tried peering down into the hole, but couldn't see the bottom from my vantage point (pic 3). Upon the descent. I, avoided the area, but saw at least 2 other sets of footprints heading up the same snowfield. :-o |
