West Slopes

Overview

The West Slopes route on Handies Peak is a snow climb up a long, broad couloir on the east side of American Basin. It goes straight up from the basin floor to near the summit. It is Class 2 with moderate snow.

The couloir averages about 32 degrees and reaches about 38 degrees near 13,200 feet. It suits climbers who already know how to use an ice axe and crampons. It is more direct and steeper than the standard summer trail, which stays on gentler ground to the south.

The route is about 5 miles round trip with 2,800 feet of gain if you park below the trailhead. Plan on 4 to 6 hours.

Plan of the day

Getting to the trailhead

Head south from Lake City on Colorado 149 for about 2 miles, then go right on County Road 30, the road to Cinnamon Pass. It is more than 20 miles to the trailhead. Keep right near 11.8 miles. The road gets rougher after 12.5 miles, and from about 13 to 14.5 miles it is a narrow shelf road. After you pass the Grizzly Gulch trailhead, the road requires 4WD or AWD.

At a signed junction near 20 miles, turn left for American Basin. The trailhead is 0.9 mile farther. You cross a stream after 0.2 mile, then the road narrows and gets harder; there are parking spots along here. Do not trust phone map apps for directions here, since they may try to send you over Cinnamon Pass. In early season, snow often blocks the upper road.

Next: the route, step by step →

The route

1. 1

   Cinnamon Pass road junction 11,250' · 0 mi

   Anyone parked lower down can hike the 4WD road or the basin's left side up to the trailhead.

   Watch for: In spring, snow may cover the road here.

2. 2

   American Basin trailhead 11,600' · 0.9 mi

   From the end of the road, continue south into American Basin.

3. 3

   Leave the trail near 12,200 feet 12,200' · 1.4 mi

   Follow the standard trail, or where it would be under snow, up to about 12,200 feet. Ahead, the trail heads up a hill; you instead go east. Turn left and look for the long, broad couloir on the north side of the west slopes.

   Watch for: Do not follow the trail up the hill ahead.

4. 4

   Base of the couloir 12,300' · 1.55 mi

   Cross a drainage to the northeast to reach the bottom of the couloir. Put on crampons and helmet.

5. 5

   Lower couloir 12,700' · 1.75 mi

   Climb east up the couloir. This part is straightforward. From here the upper route is easy to see.

6. 6

   Couloir widens 13,000' · 1.95 mi

   Above 13,000 feet, the couloir opens up and the line begins to angle a little to the right.

7. 7

   Steepest section 13,200' · 2.05 mi

   The slope steepens near 13,100 feet and reaches about 38 degrees near 13,200 feet.

   Watch for: A fall here could be long. Kick solid steps and keep your axe ready.

8. 8

   Top of the couloir 13,700' · 2.35 mi

   Above 13,700 feet, the slope flattens and the couloir fades out.

9. 9

   Summit of Handies Peak 14,058' · 2.5 mi

   Keep climbing and bear right to the summit. The top has wide views over the San Juans.

Getting down

You can downclimb the couloir if the snow is still firm. If it has softened, walk down the standard route to the south instead. It follows gentler slopes and a trail back into American Basin. From the basin, return to the trailhead and walk the road to your car.

If things go wrong

Below the couloir, simply walk back down the basin. In the couloir, the fastest way out is down the way you came while the snow is firm. If the snow turns soft near the top, it is often safer to finish and descend the gentler standard route. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.

Other routes

Every way up Handies Peak we list, with its class.

• Southwest SlopesClass 1 5.75 mi
• East SlopesClass 2 8 mi
• West Slopes this routeClass 2 5 mi