RMNP alpine rock conditions 2025

Its that time of year, post your slogs here. Anyone got the current condis for petit approach?

Walked all the way to sky pond the 22nd in very firm snow. Spicy coming up through timberline falls without traction. Skied all the way back to the loch. 

Taken yesterday (5/24)

North face of Long's:

Spearhead, as seen from the keyhole:

Stopped at the keyhole since I didn't have crampons, and the back side looked like this:

Didn't get a good look at the diamond/Broadway etc but it's still pretty alpine up there. 

We climbed the south face of Zowie on Friday 5/23. The route was pretty much free of snow and dry. The descent gully required boots but no crampons, and a light ax was nice. 

Upper elevation stuff that our teams also got eyes on (Sharkstooth and Notchtop) still had snow or running water visible. 

Sharkstooth as seen from the descent gully of Zowie, June 1

Here's a free site where you can see recent satellite imagery. https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu/?zoom=15&lat=40.25974&lng=-105.60259&themeId=DEFAULT-THEME&visualizationUrl=U2FsdGVkX1%2Fati0vPOrqgUlhfInSWc2OF6L%2FzzRw59U%2FSDfgS%2F3MznwGyop8ZWSuLK4ZzqRqEyz7YQ%2FCCJPKuLg2BcgRiRxsgBnHCdkB0KcooEFFNgnZu9pEVh0ZJ6ah&datasetId=S2_L2A_CDAS&demSource3D=%22MAPZEN%22&cloudCoverage=30&dateMode=SINGLE

The search function doesn't work, I recommend just replacing the lat & long in the url with the location you're interested in.

is anyone getting out there this week? I have a trip planned to the front range next week and am targeting petit and or sharkstooth Saturday/sunday. I’d love to know any conditions beta and if it would be worth it to get a bivy permit 

check out the ticks for the petit: it's been climbed a bunch of times in the last couple weeks. I haven't been up that way, but you might need crampons and/or floatation (snowshoes/skis) on the approach, depending on the amount of snow and the temps the night before.

Bump if anyone has more recent pics of RMNP alpine routes? Petit is still the plan possibly sharkstooth but was also looking at culp bossier

I'm also planning on being on the Petit this sunday if the weather cooperates. See you there!

You can find some photos on AllTrails:

• Sky Pond
• Emerald Lake
• Chasm Lake
• Glacier Gorge

No snow on Zowie decent today (pleasant surprise!) but did some post holing in the trees after turning towards Andrews. Still a good amount of snow in the basins but rock on the hills is mostly dry. Sharkstooths descent from the col is still full of snow.

From Twin Sisters today. Not great but you get the idea.

Looking back towards Chasm. 

North Chimney, gross but doable with an axe and traction. 

Broadway still very snowy.

Did the Petit on Saturday. The approach is still melting out especially from the Loch onwards and is a bit messy. We got wet shoes but probably could've avoided that if we cared more. Fair amount of snow travel from where it opens up under Timberline Falls but nothing crazy - I brought trail runners and spikes and didn't take the spikes out of the bag once. There's a small avoidable snowpatch at the base of the Petit but you can get onto the rock without issues. Route is dry, get after it!

As of 6/26 in Glacier Gorge, snowfield at base of spearhead is down pretty close to the base (I think) and OK w/out spikes but they might be nice, esp if trying to move fast. Still quite a bit of snow below Chiefs Head and Birds of Fire looked wet. Only a little snow to cross on the hike in. 

Taken 03July25. Rained all night.

Bug spray is an absolute must in glacier gorge right now. pics of spearhead and chiefshead

Snow is easy to cross for Sykes, it’s melted almost to the base with big steps cut to the wall. 

Dave Schultz wrote:

Well timed!!  Thx.  Can you access Spearhead (Sykes' or The Barb) without traction?   Was planning on that for tomorrow but now I'm a bit concerned  ...

TIA!!

No traction should be needed.

Do The Barb, it’s infinitely better than Sykes IMO