"Hancock Peak"

Route: Alpine Tunnel Trailhead
Posted On: 7/2/2025, By: JasonKline
Info: The peaks are in summer conditions. There's no need to cross snow/ice. My Hyundai Ioniq made it to the Alpine Tunnel Trailhead via 295 from St. Elmo using cautious and slow driving, but I'd very much advise against taking a sedan to the trailhead in the current conditions. There were at least two (probably more) places where it was pretty much impossible to avoid scraping in a sedan. Other people along the route commented that 295 was in much worse condition than in previous years. The additional section of 295 from the Alpine Tunnel Trailhead to Hancock Lake was also in bad shape. One member of our party considered driving to Hancock Lake, but decided not to after initial inspection. Even if one had a vehicle capable of the present conditions, it might be faster to walk that section than to drive. 

Route: Hancock Pass
Posted On: 8/31/2024, By: denvermikey
Info: Hancock Pass is closed to all traffic until 10/31/2024. Use a different route (up or down) for Hancock other than the north slope. Still accessible from the south ridge, just can't descend the north to Hancock Pass. 

Route: Chalk Creek Pass to Hancock Pass
Posted On: 6/23/2024, By: 14erAddict
Info: Snow is mostly avoidable except short sections on 299 if you go that way. Road and CDT are streams. Bring extra socks or be prepared for wet feet. 

Route: Hancock Pass
Posted On: 7/3/2023, By: emilyexplores
Info: Traversed from Van Wirt, then looped down to Hancock Pass. No snow on ridgeline, but still two unavoidable snow fields on road from pass down to Alpine Tunnel trailhead. An ATV was stuck in the larger field as we were coming down, and it looked like they might be shoveling for a while still. The descent from Hancock to the pass is fairly unpleasant, with loose, relentlessly steep talus (a common theme in this area). 

Route: Traverse from monumental
Posted On: 10/18/2022, By: yaktoleft13
Info: Route is, for all intents and purposes, dry. Any snow is avoidable if you so choose and doesn't affect the route. 4wd Rd to Hancock lake is probably faster to walk than drive 

Route: Hancock - Monumental Traverse
Posted On: 10/23/2021, By: -wren-
Info: Alpine Tunnel TH - Hancock Pass - Peaks - Chalk Creek Pass. Most of this traverse was slow-going because of the 4-12 inches of unconsolidated or barely consolidated snow on the loose talus that makes up the terrain between these peaks. It can often be avoided by staying to the west side of the ridge, and often you can avoid the snow with good footing. The roads and trails leading up to both passes have some gnarly ice on them that warrant microspikes more than the ridge - either way spikes and poles are a good idea right now. Road has some mud and snow but easily passable for a car with medium clearance and AWD. 

Route: Via Van Wirt Mountain
Posted On: 10/16/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: The route from Van Wirt Mountain to "Hancock Peak" is obvious but is long, contains a lot of elevation loss and regain, and is almost entirely on blocky talus. Head towards the saddle and descend to it. Reascend steep talus on the other side. It's easier staying on the ridge crest than attempting to sidehill below the crest to avoid gaining more elevation. There are a couple of false summits en route to "Hancock"'s summit. Potential descent options to Boss Lake/Monarch: descend northwest towards Hancock Pass and skirt "Hancock Peak" by going northeast then southeast to Chalk Creek Pass; reascend Van Wirt Mountain and descend to the "Van Wit"/Van Wirt saddle, then take steep talus to the lakes and hike back up to Chalk Creek Pass; go all the way back to "Van Wit" and take the east ridge down directly to Chalk Creek Pass. 

Route: NW ridge
Posted On: 10/9/2019, By: highcountryhiker
Info: Sunny, chilly & windy. Aspen past peak, but remaining ones are still nice on the drive from Buena Vista to the 2wd trailhead. Dry conditions on the peak, which will change tonight and tomorrow according to the forecast. 

Route: NW ridge
Posted On: 11/25/2012, By: d_baker
Info: Lack of snow makes a drive to the Hancock town site simple with some packed snow. Parked at town site and hiked road to Hancock Pass without issues with snow or ice. Ascended NW ridge and was treated to the sight of a white ermine running by. From the summit we descended S ridge to Van Wirt Mtn. Descended back to valley floor via the saddle between Van Wirt & 13,254‘. The talus on the slope from the saddle is a little unstable, caution is prudent. Pic 1: looking at ridge of Hancock, and to the NW/N Pic 2: looking at ridge to Van Wirt, and to the S