Trail Work Day at the Illium Boulders

Adopt-a-Crag Trail Work & BBQ

UPDATED 9/14/15

The Telluride Mountain Club would like to extend a big ‘Thank You’ to all that came out to help improve the trails to the Ilium Boulders. We did trail work on the south trail to improve use and create sustainability during spring runoff, etc. We would recommend using this south trail for all of your bouldering need in Ilium until we can create improvements on the north trail.

When: Saturday, September 12
Where: Illium Boulders (Park at Mary E at the Illium Campground)
What: Trail Work & Bouldering BBQ

Join the Telluride Mountain Club, the USFS and the Access Fund on Saturday, September 12th for some much needed work on the trails leading to the Illium Boulders! Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the environment is important. So, we plan to create a new main trail that will be more sustainable that will fork to the bouldering area and restore the two that are currently in place.

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Two Routes: Hiking Mount Sneffels

Mount Sneffels Hiking Routes

Mount Sneffels, at 14,158 feet, towers above the rest of the Sneffels Range in the San Juan Mountains. The jagged peak can be seen as you drive towards Telluride across Dallas Divide. Mt. Sneffels is a great 14er choice because of the varying route possibilities and two access points: Yankee Boy Basin and Blue Lakes.

Yankee Boy Basin: Drive south out of Ouray and head up County Road 361, staying right at Camp Bird. After driving it, we would recommend a 4WD vehicle if you plan on driving well up the road. Some vehicles will make it all the way to the top trail head, but there are places to park along the road if don’t make it that far.

Blue Lakes: Alternatively, you can head west out of Ridgway (towards Telluride) about 4.5 miles to the East Dallas Creek National Forest access road and turn right (south). You will follow this road all the way to the end, where road turns into trail head. The trail will take you first to Blue Lake and will continue to the two upper lakes and ultimately Blue Lake Pass.

The Standard Route/Lavender Couloir: This is the easier of the summit routes. When standing south looking at the summit of Sneffels, this route is on the ride/east side. This route pretty much heads up the south basin, up Lavender Couloir, through the V Notch and up to the summit.

Southwest Ridge: If you are looking to beat the crowds (and feel comfortable scrambling through and scampering over rocks), this is the route for you. It’s a bit more technical (Class 3), but offers incredible views of Blue Lakes and is more exciting than the standard route. The “trail” starts at the top of Blue Lake Pass and heads up the ridge towards the summit.

Headed up the Southwest Ridge on Mount Sneffels

The 360 degree summit views off Sneffels are incredible, enough for an excuse to make the trip!

Mount Sneffels Summit

For more detailed information on hiking Mount Sneffels, visit SummitPost or 14ers.com.

See Telluride Hiking Trails for an interactive map of the more than 75 hikes in and around Telluride. We’ve also got information on everything you need to know to stay safe on the Via Ferrata; gear list, route map, access information and tips from the locals.

Mountain Lit Author Series

Telluride Mountain Club (TMC) has joined forces with Between the Covers Bookstore (BTC) and Jagged Edge Mountain Gear to collaborate on a new project: The Mountain Lit Author Series. We are thrilled to partner with the two local and independent retailers on the Mountain Lit series, it’s always an inspiration to hear stories of travel, climbing and lessons learned in the mountains. We are excited to be part of an innovative approach to storytelling in a community that embraces adventure. The event itself promotes a casual gathering—in camp chairs provided by Jagged Edge—as if around a campfire, swapping tales amongst old and new friends. Authors will read from their books (some will provide a slideshow), followed by a Q&A, and then a booksigning. Daiva Chesonis, co-owner of BTC, points out that the format and feel will be similar to the Ski Lit Author Series from 2013 which hosted Porter Fox, David Rothman, and an evening of local female writers. Because TMC is a non-profit that both BTC and Jagged Edge believe in, new TMC hats and t-shirts will be available via Jagged Edge and a donation jar will be on hand for that spare change jingling around in your pockets. The series is BYOB.

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Climbing South Six-Shooter

South Six-Shooter in Indian Creek

Springtime in Telluride can mean nasty weather so many local climbers head to the desert to get their fix. We recently climbed South Six-Shooter, a great desert tower for beginner climbers. This is our beta…

South Six-Shooter is located in Indian Creek. From US-191, turn towards Indian Creek/Canyonlands onto UT-211W, pass Bridger Jack mesa and the two Six-Shooter towers. Turn left on the 4WD road to Davis Canyon, this road is signed and leads to Canyonlands. There are two trailheads, but the shorter hike is accessible from the south side of the mesa (drive all the way around the mesa). There is a fairly distinct parking area with a cairned trail leading to the climb.

The hike should take 40 minutes to an hour depending on your route and hiking speed. Once you get to the climb, there are a few different options to get to the top from 5.6 to 5.10b. Check out Mountain Project for the various route option details. The climbing is trad/traditional and the easiest route is up the left side for three pitches. The crux is on pitch 3, a mantel move leading to the summit, some guide books rate it 5.7.

South Six-Shooter is the perfect climb for beginners who want to check a desert tower off their list and the view from the top is incredible! The climb is straightforward and worth the effort.

Via Ferrata: Nice time for a quiet lap

The Via Ferrata route seems to be in prime condition with no serious damage from the winter to speak of. Now is a good time for a quiet lap and of course, to brush up on the basics:

BEWARE OF KNOCKING ROCKS OFF THE TRAIL: There are several areas on this route that traverse above popular rock climbing routes far below.
USE A DYNAMIC SAFETY DEVICE specifically designed for Via Ferrata.
WEAR A HELMET: You are below a huge alpine mountainside. Even a marble-sized rock could ruin your whole day, or worse.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PARTNERS: This climbing route is not appropriate for small children, very short adults, or people who don’t enjoy heights and exposure.
And don’t even think about bringing your dog.
WATCH THE WEATHER: There are no options for escape off of this route and getting caught in a lightning storm up there is a bad idea. Rain also increases natural rockfall.
BRING A HEADLAMP if you think there is any chance of being up there in the dark. A small stumble in the dark would likely have fatal consequences.
LET OTHERS KNOW where you are going and when you plan to return.
RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY: We advocate starting at Ingram Creek for an out-and-back adventure from east to west and back. This avoids potentially crossing private property on the route’s western edge.

If you have anything to report about the route, such as loose holds, maintenance concerns, changes in the route or other info, please Contact Us.

Make sure and check out all of the advice on our Via Ferrata page before you head out. The Telluride Mountain Club encourages safe and responsible enjoyment of this climbing route. Have fun, be safe, and responsibly enjoy your alpine lands!

16Z | Climbing | Trip Report

4-12-2014 by Ashley Coady Smith

It was 9:00am in Telluride as we drove away from the snowy box canyon. We were headed two hours west to dryer, warmer lands. Myself and Telluride Mountain Club Board Members, Dave Foley and Nate Smith, discussed our summer climbing aspirations while sipping on our coffee. We drove west along HWY-145 through Placerville, Norwood and Redvale, and then took a Left south towards Dove Creek on HWY-141. We drove until we came to the U29 Rd. sign, which is so small you will miss it if you blink. Luckily, there is a landmark of some old building across the street (the only building you will see coming from this way). Next, time this will be good to remember. (more…)

Angela Hawse to Host Skill Building Class

SKILL BUILDING EVENTS AT CLIMBING WALL

FREE to members, $5 non-members (unless otherwise notes)

Thursday, February 27: Telluride Mountain Club presents CLIMBING ESSENTIALS – Technical skill building with Angela Hawse, Guide, Alpinist, Sponsored Athlete and Motivational Speaker. (more…)