Snowmass Mountain - 14092' - Class 2+
October 2011

My East Slopes Route Page on SP

Looking down on Snowmass Lake

This was another trip with Corey Babb in October. We wanted to go after Snowmass Mountain. So on another weekend, we drove out to Aspen after my Saturday morning swim practice and got to the Snowmass Creek Trailhead around 2pm. We were going to hike the eight miles to Snowmass Lake that same afternoon so we packed up and started up the trail. I remember complaining the trail was taking forever to walk but the scenery was beautiful and the air was nice and crisp. We got to the log crossing which was no problem at all to cross. Usually this can pose issues early in the season. An hour after the crossing we reached Snowmass Lake with just enough daylight to pitch the tent and cook dinner. That night was cold so we were a little slow to get up and going but just as the sun rose we started heading around the south side of the lake which had lots of fresh snow to deal with. Once around the lake we began ascending the steep headwall towards the Snowmass snowfield above. We briefly separated as I took a route with less bushwhacking but harder scrambling. Just as we met up again Corey mentioned he was getting sick and wasn't likely to continue however I saw a group of three just ahead so I caught up with them and Corey returned to camp. This group I caught up with and finished the climb with was Ryan and friends who were very nice to let me join. I was surprised to see their small dog was with them but she was doing well on the snow and rocks. As we went higher the snow got deeper and we ended up postholing up to our knees at times. We went on the exposed rocks as much as we could but when we hit the final 45 degree chute that leads right to the summit we just had to grind it out and plow knee or even waist deep snow for a few hundred feet to the crest of the ridge. The final few moves I had to hoist myself up on the rocks as my feet were not getting me anywhere the snow was so deep. 

Snowmass Mountain Summit Panorama

I was the first to reach the ridge which means I was the one who plowed through all the snow to break the way up this 300 foot chute. I waited for the rest of the group to make it up where we took a nice break. The final 100 feet to the summit was an easy class 2+ scramble. We made it...all the hype about the serious rockfall I never saw. In fact not once did i ever see any areas on our route that would even be a worry. However I think the worst rockfall areas are further south along the ridge which the standard route crests the ridge further down and avoids the steep chute we plowed up. Given the snow conditions the day we were there however the chute wasn't a bad choice. Made the distance shorter and spiced it up a bit. I decided to head down by myself out in front so I can catch up with Corey and hike out before dark so I thanked them and I parted. Funny thing was that Ryan caught up to me just as Corey and I were about to leave and left the other two in his group behind. Turns out Ryan and Corey knew one another and they talked for a bit. Finally though we started the hike out and after 2 quick hours we returned to the car right before dark. 

Looking up from the Snowmass Creek Trail

Snowmass Creek

Beaver Ponds from the log crossing