Snowmass Mountain 14,092' - Colorado's 31st highest peak                                                                       
August 7, 2023

Ricardo first climbed Snowmass Mountain on July 14, 2005, using the approach from Lead King Basin. This is the same approach that we used for our attempt. It involves 4x4 driving on a rough road for about 7 miles, then 9 miles round-trip on foot to ascend the peak via the West Slopes route. The standard route, on the East side, is a backpacking route, as it covers 22 miles. 

The approach to the peak was beautiful, as the wildflowers were still in full bloom. Once at the base of the peak, we started up nearly 2,400 vertical feet. Higher up, we climbed the West Rib, which was rated a little harder (class 3+) than the West Slopes (class 3), but the rock felt more solid. After summiting Snowmass, we opted to take the class 3 ridge over to North Snowmass and climb this unranked 14er (14,024 feet) as well. From our high vantage point, we could see the snow on the east side, from which Snowmass Mountain gets its name!

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SUMMITS: Snowmass and North Snowmass Photos