Grizzly Peak (13,988 ft)
and
Garfield Peak (13,780 ft)

Conditions: October 8, 1995

CMC Trip Condition Report for hike to Grizzly Peak (13,988 ft) and Garfield Peak (13,780 ft) in the Sawatch Range near La Plata Peak on 10/8/95. Trip leader was Ms. Debbie Jung

Route was via the standard McNasser (sp?) Gulch. Secondary road from the highway was reasonably clear of snow to the trailhead at the intersection of the four-wheel drive road. The four-wheel drive road was icy with ~6" of snow at the trailhead and a large tree had recently uprooted and fallen across the road approximately a half mile up from the trailhead.

We proceeded by foot from the trailhead up the jeep road to the mines at ~12,000 feet. The snow increased in depth from ~6" at the trail head to ~12" up near the mines (noticably deeper in the depressions). There had been no recent snow fall in the last 2 or 3 days and some places were blown clear where one could avoid walking in the snow for short distances.

Once we left the road and proceeded up to Grizzly Peak, the snow continued to increase in depth in the couloirs (leg deep) but was reasonably clear along the raised areas paralleling the couloirs. When we gained the sub-ridge on the leeward side of the summit ridge snow was consistently deep to ~12" but well consolidated. We had to cut through about 4 ft of cornice to gain the summit ridge from the sub-ridge. Once up on the summit ridge it was blown clear of snow on the windward side with a cornice varying from 4 ft to 6 ft on the leeward side. This continued on up to the summit block of Grizzly where it was, as one would expect, blown clear.

The snow had slowed our progress sufficiently, either because of breaking trail or because of time spent maneuvering around it, that we did not proceed down the major ridge to Garfield Peak. We returned via the way we came. Snowshoes would not have been practical.

The weather was beautiful with not a cloud in the sky until around 1 pm, where there were only small non-threatening cumulus humilis puffs floating by. The temperature seemed quite brisk all day and remained low even though the sun shined all day! The wind was somewhat persistent but not constant, though with the low temperature the wind chill was quite noticeable.

Andy Jost, 10/9/95

CMC's Colorado Mountain Weather Page