Crestone Needle -> Broken Hand Pass: Conditions

We are heading up soon to give Ellingwood Ledges a go. Anyone know whether an ice axe and/or traction devices are currently warranted for the descent from Crestone Needle via Broken Hand Pass?

We heard that sometimes they are useful for getting down from the pass.

I think there was a trip report recently on ST about this area.

Might be a bit smokey up there ..good sized fire at Hayden Pass area.

Thanks, John!

We separately obtained recent beta that snow is not an issue. Will look for SP report!

Pretty sure it was by my buddy EDGE from Boulder

The most recent (7/15) report on 14ers.com says "all of the snow is avoidable except for a short section leading to BH pass". By all accounts, mosquitos in that area are horrendous right now.

14ers.com/php14ers/peakstat…

I emailed Bill already--I was up there this past weekend. No snow on the pass, no smoke either. The mosquitos are terrible right around south colony lake but go away as you descend below or above that. Also, verizon phones work really well on the mountain--I had service most of the time.

Yes - thank you again. I am really appreciative of the rapid response as we will be "off the grid" pretty soon.