Explore 14Er with Brian - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
went on monday, almost no one there, snow off the trail was at least 3 feet but on the trail we went without snowshoes or spikes and was all good. didn't go past the lake but beautiful!
reviewed Very windy at the top, need at least microspikes but large stretches of powder snow
Went today (1/20) around noon. Only saw 5-6 other people. Trail is well-defined and easy to follow. There was a decent amount of snow, but mostly compact. I did it in La Sportiva trail runners - heavier boots would have helped a little. It was insanely windy at the top and very cold - make sure you pay attention the conditions for the day. All-in-all, the views at the top were well worth it!
Hiked 1-18-2021 Hard pack to tree line where microspikes are helpful for decent but not necessary. If you go straight out of tree line it is post-holing in waist deep snow and around to the right knee deep. This is about 50-100 yds and snow shoes would be helpful (left ours in the car unfortunately). Then it is a mix of hard pack/rocks (with microspikes preferable) to knee deep snow again (better for snow shoes) up the entire ridge. I made it about 2/3 but windy/snowing and closing in on turn around time and was tired from the deep snow (started at 12). My better half said the rest of the way was steeper, deeper and winds really picked up though no wind on top. Also watch out for hidden rocks when you break through in deeper snow. we have some cuts and bruises for the effort. On the way down snow and wind covered most of the tracks down to treeline. Easy to follow ridge line down but then takes a sec to find the path to tree line. Beautiful hike - would start earlier next time and preferably a little less wind and snow.
Lots of snow, but the trail was decently packed and clear. Hiked without spikes. The higher you go at the end, the better the views!
Trail is clearly marked even with a little snow from the previous day beautiful no wind just spikes needed.
the first mile is just forest and a steady incline. keep going it is absolutely worth the effort!!!
No snowshoes needed, but spikes helped! Trail is pretty narrow the whole way so be prepared with a face covering and to step off trail for others to pass.
Great hike! I used snowshoes but my friend used micro spikes and was fine.
Wasn’t too busy but it was windy once you got to the lake. It snowed recently, but the trail was well tracked before and easy to follow. We had poles and yak-tracks on, which really helped.
Trail and weather conditions were great. Enough snow for skis or snowshoes but packed enough you can hike it it with micro spikes.
Great trail! Steady incline on the way up but the views at the top make it all worth it. I started around 9:15 and the trail wasn’t crowded at all. Started to get more crowded as I reached the bottom around 11:00. Highly recommend microspikes.
Super windy, at first I said no a little past the lake but then I don’t like to quit so I hiked the 2 miles up through the wind. Wasn’t too bad cause I have the right gear but still. Views are ok nothing to rave about as a native. Used spikes for further up but not necessary. Hiked on 1/17/21. My mission was James Peak but that obviously will have to be a different day as I didn’t feel like dealing with the conditions for another 2-3 miles.
I gave 5 stars for the views at the top, had me singing! Didn’t need spikes but to each their own. Made quick work out of the trail though and the views paid off personally. Did this trail on impulse after I left St. Mary’s glacier. Windy at top but wasn’t too much to handle as long as you’re prepared. Hiked on 1/17/21. Will hike again in summer time.
A very scenic trail with beautiful lakeviews at the top. Much more strenuous than hiking it without snow, but we didn't need spikes for this one. We arrived after the mornimg crowds (around 12:30pm) and found a parking spot quickly. Highly recommend this trail for getting started with winter hiking.
Windy and cold today! Still gorgeous, but it was a pretty hard hike in the snow. Lake is pretty, people were ice skating. I wouldn’t recommend this for those with weak lungs
A little treacherous with the wind this weekend, but so beautiful in the falling snow! We did the the hike in normal hiking boots and were fine, though some extra traction would be a nice-to-have.
Great trail, well-marked. Micro spikes were essential and goggles and poles were helpful too! Super steep at the end and overall exhausting but incredibly worth it.
Went on Sunday morning, got there around 10 am and snagged almost the last parking spot. Finished around noon and there were some traffic jams with others trying to park. Trail was snow covered but packed down. Some kind of shoe spikes would be helpful but not totally necessary if you have good boots. Lake is frozen and really pretty. Also, AWD vehicle would be helpful but not totally necessary if you are confident on snow and have good tires. My Ford Escape did just fine.
Hiked on 1-17-21. Steady 30 MPH winds east today - gust that felt much, much, greater. Had to dig in at times to stay up. Read the forecast before you go, wind made for a climb that seemed much steeper than it was.
Windy, snowy, but worth it. Trail is well packed with snow, no need for spikes or snowshoes.
Great hike. A bit hard to find the trail in the snow, but it is gorgeous.
As of Jan 15, 2021, trail has several inches of fresh snow, and I highly recommend having spikes handy, especially for the descent. Short but sweet hike overall. It was very foggy and windy during our hike, but I’m looking forward to returning in the summer.
