Snowmass Mountain East Slopes

The route starts and ends at the Snowmass Creek trailhead (8,400') and climbs the same corridor to the 14,105' summit; an overnight at Snowmass Lake is recommended given the distance. From the trailhead, hike south on the Snowmass Creek Trail through one or more gates in the first mile, then continue 1.5 miles to a junction with the West Snowmass Trail; stay left on the Maroon-Snowmass Trail. Near 4 miles, Snowmass Mountain comes into view ahead. After 6-plus miles, above 10,000', reach the log jam at the north end of a series of ponds — a minor crux of its own, since it can be wet or unstable after spring runoff; cross with care and expect to reroute if the logs have shifted. On the far side, follow the trail south along the ponds, switchback up a slope, and reenter forest for about a mile to a junction; continue straight to Snowmass Lake, just past 8 miles. To start the climb, cross to the south side of the lake's outlet stream, pass through forest, and follow the trail southwest along the shore through willows to a boulder field at the lake's west end. Follow cairns up through the boulders toward the gully draining the snowfield above. Crux: Near 11,600', the direct gully is steep, loose, and prone to rockfall, so cross the stream here and climb instead through willows and ledges to reach easier ground by 12,000'. Continue onto the snowfield toward a bump on the southeast ridge, reaching a flat shoulder above 13,000'. Climb moderate snow or rock through a break left of some cliffs to the ridge crest at 13,700' — the summit is 1/3 mile away over sustained Class 3 terrain. Stay just below the ridge crest on its west side, scramble through a break in a rock rib, and pick carefully through loose rock on the final pitch to the summit. In snow-covered conditions, a steeper direct variation gains the ridge via a notch closer to the summit instead. Descend the same way, using the same care through the loose gully above the lake and the crossing at the log jam.