Mt. Sneffels & Gilpen Peak
Gilpen - Class 2 Sneffels - Class 3
Date: 8/11/2020 & 6/30/2010
Partner: Solo, Kristi, Mike Poland
Trailhead: Yankee Boy TH
Summits: Gilpin Peak(class 2) & Mt. Sneffels(class 3)
Distance: 4.7m
Elevation Gain: 2600ft
Duration: 4hrs
(I had watch issues(started late/stopped early) so these stats understate the day)
The best thing about climbing Gilpin are the views of Sneffels. Sneffels southwest ridge is a classic 14er route. Wasn't the biggest fan of decseding the south slopes... except for the glissading when there is snow.
![Gilpin sneffels 01]()
4.7m - 2600ft - 4hrs
![Gilpin sneffels 02]()
L2R: Teakettle (notice the handle), Coffee Pot and Potosi from high in Yankee boy Basin
![Gilpin sneffels 03]()
Can't get enough of that Teakettle Handle.
![Gilpin sneffels 04]()
Tacoma and Gilpin. The general route is to gain the ridge on on the right, contour along it's right side then take the pass of least resistance to the summit
![Gilpin sneffels 05]()
Pano: Yankee Boy!
![Gilpin sneffels 06]()
Pano: Tacoma in Yankee Boy
![Gilpin sneffels 07]()
From the Gilpin/Sneffels ridge. Hug the ridge obstacles on their left to the top of the loose gully
![Gilpin sneffels 08]()
A view to the west from the near top of the loose gully. Dallas on the left with the split summit. A silver T0 right of that. Gorgeous colors!
![Gilpin sneffels 09]()
A false summit overlooks the loose gully
![Gilpin sneffels 10]()
On the way back I would take this ridge over to Sneffels... it was much spicier than it looks
![Gilpin sneffels 11]()
Another look west from the top of the loose gully
![Gilpin sneffels 12]()
A view towards the summit
![Gilpin sneffels 13]()
Can't get enough of this view
![Gilpin sneffels 14]()
The Wilsons with Lizard Head on the left
![Gilpin sneffels 15]()
Looking south to Mount Emma from Gilpin's summit
![Gilpin sneffels 16]()
Getting excited to head over and climb Sneffel's southwest ridge
![Gilpin sneffels 17]()
![Gilpin sneffels 18]()
Traversing the ridge between Gilpin and Sneffels
![Gilpin sneffels 19]()
![Gilpin sneffels 20]()
![Gilpin sneffels 21]()
Dallas front and center... Wilson off in the distance
![Gilpin sneffels 22]()
A view back to Gilpin
![Gilpin sneffels 23]()
the start of Sneffels south ridge... it gets better... much better
![Gilpin sneffels 24]()
Mike Poland on Sneffels south ridge many many years ago. Maybe we should have had some traction?
![Gilpin sneffels 25]()
Kristi (sans traction) climbs a gully on Sneffels south ridge
![Gilpin sneffels 26]()
Looking up the ridge from a notch we would pass through to the right. We down climbed a bit, then wrapped around to the left and up the steep ridge.
![Gilpin sneffels 27]()
![Gilpin sneffels 28]()
![Gilpin sneffels 29]()
![Gilpin sneffels 30]()
![Gilpin sneffels 31]()
Summit selfie
![Gilpin sneffels 32]()
This was Kristi's first climb after ankle surgery earlier in the year
![Gilpin sneffels 33]()
![Gilpin sneffels 34]()
![Gilpin sneffels 35]()
The Nuche!
![Gilpin sneffels 36]()
Looking down Sneffels' loose south slopes standard route. The ridge is infinitely more enjoyable if you are ok with class 3
![Gilpin sneffels 37]()
![Gilpin sneffels 38]()
![Gilpin sneffels 39]()
ok... this is fun!
![Gilpin sneffels 40]()
Mike moving way to fast... stay safe buddy... be careful
![Gilpin sneffels 41]()
Gilpin on the hike out
![Gilpin sneffels 42]()
Potosi is impressive and a fun climb
