Grizzly Peak

Route: Grizzly couloir
Posted On: 7/9/2019, By: Tim A
Info: Couloir still in from lake to summit ridge. As there was a solid overnight freeze, I did not carry or wish I carried snowshoes today, and the only postholing was in the apron above the lake on the way down at about 1030am. Avy debris fields all the way up were solid both up and down and the couloir was bulletproof for the bottom third but gradually softened as the sun heated it up. Four skiers came up the north face direct (not grizz couloir) and said conditions were similar. They skied and I glissaded the grizzly couloir at about 10am and the snow was a bit softer by then. Completely dry from ridge to summit. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 7/8/2019, By: zinj
Info: Grizzly Reservoir TH passable to 4WD. I bailed with my 2WD due to flooding. McNasser Guch TH (4WD upper) impassible to all vehicles - avalanche debris. McNasser Gulch TH (2WD lower) is doable in 2WD, but you need clearance. I scraped a stock sedan multiple times, but a 2WD 4 Runner, for instanace, would handle it. Grizz Couloir is *IN*, coverage remains good, snow is spring snocone type. No night freezes in a while so it's just not going to firm up for you. Saw two guys drop in. Sad I couldn't join them -- couldn't access that side of the mountain. East Ridge - I climbed in hiking shoes and an axe - was fine until upper slopes where I would have prefered to climb snow and get off the sand, but I really would have wanted crampons on snow (and a partner), so I mostly did edge snow and dry sand. The dry sand SUUUUUCKS. Glissades down were a moderate timesaver but the snow is so sloppy and the pitch isn't that steep so I didn't get a lot of momentum and my glissades were short. Only "shell" style clothing I brought were pants for the descent. Useful to have. Light gloves were sufficient. but you'll want something for your hands given the large quantity of snow. If you're planning on doing the sandy mess, wear higher top boots. The Roaches call this a "rough route" and they're right. Class 2+ is about accurate, but doesn't convey the level of suck on the slidey sand I think I made a mistake in ascending a bit too close to the summit - the "saddle" I was trying to hit is not at all apparent from down below and isn't a prominent saddle, BUT any vert you can take on the ridge is vert you don't have to earn on the slope and if you're so inclined, map this ahead of time and hit the ridge lower / farther east and you may avoid some of the least enjoyable part of the climb. Boggy postholing for miles on the way down the valley where it's too shallow sloped to glissade (e.g. 95% of the approach). During morning ascent I probably only dropped under the crust 20 times. On return, it was like 200. But the weather was nice and being wet came with no consequence this day. 

Route: Grizzly Couloir
Posted On: 6/16/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: Grizzly couloir from afar ("Igloo Peak", near Independence Pass) looks stuffed to the gills right now. 

Route: Grizzly Couloir
Posted On: 6/3/2019, By: Grover
Info: A view of Grizzly Peak from the summit of Lackawanna. 

Route: Combo: Garfield from Grizzly
Posted On: 7/2/2018, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Grizzly east ridge clear from gate to summit; Grizzly to Garfield is clear of snow and in summer conditions, as well. Steep and loose ascent of East ridge of Grizzly and descent off Garfield. 

Route: Grizzly Couloir
Posted On: 6/25/2018, By: AlexeyD
Info: Snow from about 200' above the lake to the top, but starting to melt out substantially in the lower third. Lake is bypassed on lookers left side. Good climbing but would not recommend for skiing due to sun cups and rocks. A snow/graupel storm rolled in around 10:30 so we retreated from about 13.3K. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/23/2018, By: one234five
Info: Almost completely dry conditions, with the exception of a small snowpatch on the ridge - no huge deal. Was able to make it to the upper 4WD TH in stock Subaru w/o issue. 

Route: 
Posted On: 6/19/2018, By: HikerGuy
Info: Grizzly Couloir is in prime shape. Photos attached. What a great route! Also traversed over to Garfield, all clear. 

Route: Grizzly Couloir
Posted On: 6/11/2018, By: rachel
Info: Climbed and skied Grizzly couloir. Approach dry until Grizzly Lake. Carried skis and did not use skins. Started at 0430 and made it to the base of the couloir at 0700. Snow very firm with lots of sun cups. Summitted at 0930. Started skiing down at 1020 with nicely softened snow. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 5/25/2018, By: cottonmountaineering
Info: Road is passable until just after the last switchback at 11,000' - about 1/2 mile from the final gate. Snow in the valley was supportive in the morning but guaranteed postholing with snow that was less than 2' deep on the way down. Grizzly couloir looking great but not sure the trailhead is open yet. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 10/7/2017, By: cardgenius
Info: It's wintery up there. Snowed last night so there was snow from the TH to summit. A lot of the snow down low had melted out by late afternoon. Up high it's a mix of consolidated spring like snow to punchy sugar snow. Even some slush here and there. Climbed the Class 3(mostly dry) variances on the way up and took the snow down. Used spikes, gaitors and axe. Didn't have time to do the traverse to Garfield but it looks quite snowy as well. 

Route: Combo: Garfield from Grizzly
Posted On: 9/3/2017, By: montanahiker
Info: Route is dry all the way. Grizzly is definitely 2+ but easier than it looks. Garfield descent is as loose as advertised. 

Route: Combo: Garfield from Grizzly
Posted On: 9/3/2017, By: LetsGoMets
Info: Summer conditions all the way. Excellent loop. 

Route: Combo: Garfield from Grizzly
Posted On: 7/15/2017, By: jasayrevt
Info: Completed the dynamic duo with Monica. 13er summits are an inspiring, invigorating hobby. This classic route is another recommended, straightforward path. It has incredible views of many quality neighboring Sawatch Rangers (i.e. La Plata, Red Mountain B, etc.). Also, even those great Elks (Snowmass, Capitol, Pyramid, Bells). Conditions up high were summer bluebird. So, perfect for navigating these slopes and ridge line extremely well. Standard light pack plus trail runners approach was good. Pictures plus a topographic map diagram have been included as beta. Climb safely out there mountaineers 

Route: Combo: Garfield from Grizzly
Posted On: 6/26/2017, By: sdkeil
Info: We did the Grizzly couloir and the route is still in good condition, although the bottom apron is starting to melt out. The snow was still pretty firm at 8, even with a couple hours of sun hit. Once on the summit ridge the route was clear of snow to the Grizzly summit and then onto Garfield.