Near Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes
High exposure and easy climbing high on Sneffels' Southwest Ridge.
Near Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes
Hikers descending the gully, not far from the summit. The 13,500 ft saddle can be seen in the distance.
Near Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes
Mt. Sneffels summit, taken May 20, 2018
Near Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes
Heading down the standard route. Should have brought our ice axes!
Near Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes
Near Mt Sneffels upper trailhead looking back toward Yankee Boy basin

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Mt Sneffels Via Blue Lakes

4.7 (3 Ratings)
An amazing route full of beautiful lakes and marvelous mountains.
12.4
mi
Distance
5,513
ft
Gain
extreme
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeViewsWildlife
Access Issues
This route requires some class 3 scrambling.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.37mi
Distance
5,513ft
Elevation Gain
5,513ft
Elevation Loss
60%
Max Grade
14,143ft
High Point
9,344ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
Follow the trail from the Blue Lakes trailhead for a couple miles till you reach the lower lake. This is a great spot for camping and many sites are available in the woods around the lake. It's worth it to carry your backpacking gear in order to overnight here. If you're lucky, when the wind is low, the lake reflects a beautiful image of the surrounding mountains on its surface. Head on up the trail to the upper lake. You'll pass through forested and rocky areas on the way. There are also some amazing viewpoints at which to admire the lower blue lake from. From the upper lake, continue up the loose, rocky switchbacks until you reach the ridge. From the ridge, head up to your left to hop on the southwest Ridge of Mt. Sneffels. The ridge is Class 3 and a helmet is highly recommended. Most of this trail feels more like a loose gully than a ridge. Follow along if you see a trail up some sometimes loose rock. Keep making your way along, making some higher class moves along the way. Eventually you'll reach the true ridge. There's a trail a bit lower but its a choose-your-own-adventure kind of ridge. If you want to stay true to it, feel free to do so. One way or another, make your way to the summit of Mt. Sneffels from here. Reach 14,157 feet and take in the high alpine in all its glory. You can see the ridge you ascended, the blue lakes, and tons of awesome peaks all around. It's a great opportunity to marvel at the mountains. When you're done admiring your surroundings, you can descend the way you ascended, or you can go down the south slopes route. Either goes, so it's your choice.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Ashley Peterson