Ski in to reach Petit?

Is there anyone in Estes would could speak to the possibility of a ski in/out to/from Petit Grepon? What are the snow levels like? Especially after this week of rain/snow?

Hi,

We skied in and climbed the petit last weekend on Sat. Complete snow coverage from about .25 mi from trailhead to the base of the route. I'd imagine the same if not more after yesterday.

Can anybody comment on current snow conditions and in and around Long's Peak? I'll be there the end of the month and we're putting together a hit list now. Specifically I'm interested in Sharkstooth, Glacier Gorge Traverse, and Solitude Lake Traverse.

I'm just posting so I can bump later. I walked into the Petit last year first week of July I believe, and it was walkable but gnar. Lots and lots and lots of snow.

As for Longs, I'll be driving to Estes tomorrow or the next day and going up longs a few times so I'll update.

Nobleman wrote:Hi, We skied in and climbed the petit last weekend on Sat. Complete snow coverage from about .25 mi from trailhead to the base of the route. I'd imagine the same if not more after yesterday.

Andy-we just did the standard south face route. Nothing fancy, just trying to beat the crowds :).

With all the recent snow we've been getting, it seems like alpine season might be a bit delayed...but spring skiing will be good once all the new stuff stabilizes!

Cheers!

Andrew Blease wrote:Can anybody comment on current snow conditions and in and around Long's Peak? I'll be there the end of the month and we're putting together a hit list now. Specifically I'm interested in Sharkstooth, Glacier Gorge Traverse, and Solitude Lake Traverse.

Good site webcam to check Longs from the SW side, controllable camera, you'll have to pan around and zoom in to see Longs, but an excellent view:

instaar.colorado.edu/tundra…

BTW, huge amounts of snow above treeline right now, gonna take quite a while for conditions to change to allow walk-in approaches.

Thanks! I reckon that's what we need to know. Skis/snowshoes it is. Any comments on stability?

I guess it depends a bit on when you plan to do it and what happens before then, but the last pitch to the base of the climb is a bit steep and south facing, rendering it particularly susceptible to wet slides right now, possibly some slab action depending on how that new snow impacted it. Stuff was coming down all over Taylor glacier area, including a big slab avi. There was a bit of a point release wet slide on that approach pitch as we were on the route, and when we ski cut it on the descent a lot of stuff slid/sluffed. It's not a big slope, but some caution and Avi gear/knowledge would be prudent.