Quandary Peak – Climbing Notes
Quandary Peak – Climbing Notes
Quandary Peak Climbing notes shared by Mountain-Forecast users
Click here to submit your own climbing note for Quandary Peak
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
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January 01, 2023
Svobatron from United States
12/31/2022
Bring snowshoes. I had mine and was post holing a lot cause once you lose the path the snow gets deep quick. After the first mile there was no discernible trail. GPS a must unless you have hiked it numerous times.
Above treeline conditions were horrendous. Visibility dropped to just a few feet and the wind exposes the weak parts of your clothing quickly. I turned back at 12,600 ft due to inability to navigate (and my toes were freezing).
Still a great experience. Snowfall in the trees was an unforgettable moment of solace and peace.
I was 1 of 3 hikers total that day.
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December 05, 2022
Fidel Castro from United States
11/20/2022:
-Great parking.
-Easy trail up to the ridge, don't necessarily need
spikes/snowshoes.
-On a windy winter day the ridge is good fun, bring spikes and a few layers.
-Make sure to bring a flask with whiskey to the summit, the ranger will turn you away if you don't have one.
Viva La Revolución
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January 10, 2018
Zack Weaver from United States
First of all, really pleased to find this website with totally accurate forecasts. Made the decision to go based on it and wasn’t disappointed.
1/9/18: Very little snow as the ski resorts are lamenting.
Good hard pack below the tree line and icy in the steep switchbacks above the trailhead. Micro-spikes are ideal.
At and above the tree line as far up as the exposed south-facing east ridge snowshoes came in handy for knee-deep spindrift. Snowshoes (or crampons) totally worth it on the last ~800 vertical feet which is hard packed snow and some ice and quite steep.
Gusty wind. Definitely recommend trekking poles for stability. Otherwise a fun and beautiful moderate level 14’er. 4.5 hours round trip.
Use this site to plan for conditions! It was spot on.
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March 26, 2013
Kevin Young from United States
Over half of the climb to the summit is on an exposed (weather) ridge, especially in winter when staying directly on top of the ridge is necessary to avoid avalanche danger on the South side of the ridge. Be prepared for hiking in high winds and cold temps. Goggles are very helpful if you end up dealing with blowing snow.
For winter, snowshoes to the ridge and then microspikes on the ridge to the summit make a good combination.
In the summertime, the long, exposed ridge means you're a long way from safety if a storm/lightning blows in while on the summit. Get up the mountain and back down before afternoon showers.
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Svobatron from United States
12/31/2022
Bring snowshoes. I had mine and was post holing a lot cause once you lose the path the snow gets deep quick. After the first mile there was no discernible trail. GPS a must unless you have hiked it numerous times.
Above treeline conditions were horrendous. Visibility dropped to just a few feet and the wind exposes the weak parts of your clothing quickly. I turned back at 12,600 ft due to inability to navigate (and my toes were freezing).
Still a great experience. Snowfall in the trees was an unforgettable moment of solace and peace.
I was 1 of 3 hikers total that day.
Fidel Castro from United States
11/20/2022:
-Great parking.
-Easy trail up to the ridge, don't necessarily need
spikes/snowshoes.
-On a windy winter day the ridge is good fun, bring spikes and a few layers.
-Make sure to bring a flask with whiskey to the summit, the ranger will turn you away if you don't have one.
Viva La Revolución
Zack Weaver from United States
First of all, really pleased to find this website with totally accurate forecasts. Made the decision to go based on it and wasn’t disappointed.
1/9/18: Very little snow as the ski resorts are lamenting.
Good hard pack below the tree line and icy in the steep switchbacks above the trailhead. Micro-spikes are ideal.
At and above the tree line as far up as the exposed south-facing east ridge snowshoes came in handy for knee-deep spindrift. Snowshoes (or crampons) totally worth it on the last ~800 vertical feet which is hard packed snow and some ice and quite steep.
Gusty wind. Definitely recommend trekking poles for stability. Otherwise a fun and beautiful moderate level 14’er. 4.5 hours round trip.
Use this site to plan for conditions! It was spot on.
Kevin Young from United States
Over half of the climb to the summit is on an exposed (weather) ridge, especially in winter when staying directly on top of the ridge is necessary to avoid avalanche danger on the South side of the ridge. Be prepared for hiking in high winds and cold temps. Goggles are very helpful if you end up dealing with blowing snow.
For winter, snowshoes to the ridge and then microspikes on the ridge to the summit make a good combination.
In the summertime, the long, exposed ridge means you're a long way from safety if a storm/lightning blows in while on the summit. Get up the mountain and back down before afternoon showers.
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