Snowmass Mountain

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Views · Wildlife

This trail gives you a bit of everything you've experienced before, and a little bit that you may have never experienced previously. You get plenty of woodsy elevation gain, cross a pond full of loose logs, marvel at the beautiful Snowmass Lake, run a good bit of loose scree, do some snow climbing, scramble on a great traverse and reach a glorious summit.

Although it can be done in one long day, the wiser runner camps at the lake and has an overnight adventure.

Reservations for camping at Snowmass Lake are now required.

Reservations for camping at Snowmass Lake are now required, so make sure you get what you need before setting out. This route is also rated Class 3 and is very long, so come prepared. Round trip mileage is a little over 22 and elevation gain is over 6,000 feet.

The trail starts with some woodsy elevation gain. About 1.5 miles in at the junction, keep left for Maroon Snowmass Trail. At 6+ miles, you'll reach the infamous log jam. This section of the trail crosses loose logs in the pond and there's no way around it, so carefully pick your way through. Keep following along as the trail meanders and switchbacks.

After another mile, you'll reach another trail junction, continue straight and you'll start to see a stream coming from the east side of Snowmass Lake. There are many camping options here. Make your way to the south side of the stream and after a short time in the trees, you'll reach a clearing by the lake and from here you can see what lies ahead of you.

From here, you can locate the trail and follow it into some boulder fields and willows. Once you've rounded the lake, you can choose your route upward. Some lines are looser than others.

Near 12,000 feet, you'll just continue up the snowmass in front of you. You should be able to see the summit, and a bump on the ridge off to the looker's left of it. This is the easiest spot to gain the ridge, make your way towards it on a mixture of rock and snow, depending on the time of year. Pick the line route that looks the best to you.

Once you gain the ridge crest, you'll be at 13,700 feet. Now, there's 1/3 mile of Class 3 climbing to reach the summit. This section is pretty fun, no need to stay true to the ridge, but just below it. The rock here is mostly stable but be sure to check your holds just in case.

Keep up the hard work and soon you'll be standing on that summit, taking in the beautiful views and basking in the sunshine.