Colorado 14ers: Mt Sneffels via Southwest Ridge Virtual Trail Guide

The southwest ridge of Mt Sneffels is a fun alternative to the standard route up the summit. This ridge is mostly class 3 with a medium amount of exposure and FANTASTIC views of the blue lakes below.
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[@anne-mariewirth4396]

Thanks for calling out the trash. I’m seeing so much of it everywhere now. I can’t believe people do this to the beautiful environment.

[@marcump]

I always carry a wag-bag, people that do that are weak.. that was disgusting.. it will be preserved up thare unfortunately until someone carries it out.

[@kylegalcorn]

Kudos to you for including wilderness rules and leave no trace info in your video!

[@davidhiggins2338]

Highly recommend coming up from Blue Lakes. There’s some great camping there if you backpack in.

[@sarahbeechler3377]

I agree!

[@huskerhank6231]

I've used the SW ridge about a half dozen times (I live in the area), A friend & myself wrestled a 40 pound very experienced dog one time by handing him up one ledge at a time. Some hilarious moments but not to be repeated. My most memorable trip was arriving at the top and finding "WTC...9/11/01" chalked in I removed the graffiti and it was only when I stopped in Silverton that I figured out that things were now different. On the descent I always spent as much time on the south side. Some exposure but much better rock. I think using the gully is one of the most dangerous routes in all of Colorado. Rocks coming from the top have no place to go but ricochet down the gully. I have had a near fatal close call & I know for a fact that there have been injuries/fatal incidents. For what its worth I have taken my golden retrievers up & down Sneffels with no problems. That was a long time ago.. I am retired from climbing after a VERY close call on Jagged & more than content to relive the mountains through your eyes.

[@tomland9929]

Sneffels is on next years list. After watching this I’d consider the Southwest Ridge up and down. Not a fan of that loose gully especially if there’s a crowd. Thanks for the quality vid and info as always.

[@markpatterson8922]

Climbs alone up crumbled shale with deadly sheer drops into rockfall couloir behind while one hand is occupied holding selfie stick. Wow!

[@dansouth2088]

Simply epic. Thanks once again for taking us along!!

[@PlayingOutsideSomewhere]

Ive climbed Sneffels twice One of my favs Cool to see the raw footage towards summit thanks

[@jeffraymond9718]

Thank you so much for all the work making this video and for the utterly amazing shots. I did the standard route in 1997 and still treasure all my 35mm shots from that hike. I love pics I've seen from the SW ridge, but your vid brings it all to life. Would love to do it, but my knees too old. Yet you make me feel like I was right there with you. Question...was anyone helping you, or did you do all your owns shots?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks for the kind words and I always film everything myself unless I have a partner along to help with b roll shots of me, but in this case I was solo.

[@Khyberoverland]

Great review, appreciate the wisdom and lack of nonsense talk. This review definitely prepared me for planning my dog tagging along

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

FWIW, I would not bring a dog up this route.

[@JamesJernigan]

Outstanding videos, thank you so much for taking the time to make these! As a lifelong backpacker and mountaineer, I know firsthand what's involved with getting up and back from these summits, so you taking the extra time to explain the routes and show the tricky stuff is awesome. Cheers to many more, stay safe out there!

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

The road looks worse than the climb! Stunning views!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Road is always a wildcard but the ridge is def worse

[@williammahony3858]

Thanks for the video. Made it to the top thanks to some of your video and knowing that it wasn't too exposed. Beautiful views...and no poop.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

LMAO - very happy for you, especially the no poop side of things.

[@eddiej7259]

This was my very 1st 14er back on September 1st! 9:00 did not look that easy when I was there. 3 inches of snow and the rock grabs were solid ice. I nearly shit myself goin up that. This looks so much easier haha! Man what a sketchy experience that was XD

[@b8a7m74]

I was in Yankee Boy Basin about 3 weeks ago. San Juans are awesome!

[@jason20341]

One of my favorite climbs and mountain.

[@forrestdabbs9498]

Thank you for calling attention to the waste left behind.

[@emmabellexo]

Love the drone footage! This is definitely on my list for this year. So epic

[@jackalay23]

Subscribed. Just what I needed for my upcoming trip.

[@krischan3568]

Great video !!

[@benjaminlongmire9131]

your amazing man! WAY TO GO!!!

[@ritzbitz1905]

Great drone work! I really can’t wait to do this route! Thanks for your awesome 😎 video.

[@SizAndals]

Just added this to my summer list. What gorgeous shots and insightful explanations! Thx!

[@peacefulliving6432]

Fantastic hike. Fantastic views. ✌️

[@Awon2zip]

You recommended this route to me on another video, can't wait to hike this next summer!

[@NickandRachel]

Gorgeous views! Thanks for sharing this

[@kevinbowerman6328]

Just did this exact loop last month. I’m glad I can share this with family and friends. You did an excellent review and felt the same way approaching the standard route

[@lizards821]

Bro you are killing it with this cinematography. Excellent work especially with the drone.

[@timmy_2times]

As always love the videos dude! Any recommendations on camp areas close to the TH?

[@priscilapaez3304]

Yesss been wanting this vid. Your quality in this one is just awesome lol great job! I was here two weeks ago for the blue lakes trail but I hope to come back and camp at lower blue lake to bag Mt. Sneffels.

[@wadelewis6992]

Thanks for sharing

[@subienorris]

Great video - can't wait to do this route next summer. The editing / production of these videos keeps getting better and better. Well done!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks very much - very happy with the next handful I will be putting out.

[@peteleroy7214]

Well-done video. The finger pointing of the route is helpful.

[@Fidellio13]

Beautiful video as always, for now I'm living vicariously through your adventures!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks very much, loving this one myself.

[@marissamarrero6469]

Just moved to the area last month and I want to do my first 14k 😻 this one looks like fun and it’s so beautiful

[@fabrizioventricini5856]

Really nice video, one of your best. Great drone shots and good music too, I have climbed Sneffels almost 30 years ago from what I guess would be the NW ridge , over Tea Kettle ( ? ) to the col of the standard route. It was early June so 90 % snow and ice climb. Is is a beautiful area....again, congrats on the video !

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks a bunch and awesome - sounds like a sweet route, I will have to look into it!

[@mwingo5414]

Awesome video! I’ve done Sneffles twice now and the first time I did it I came up from below the blue lakes. You should totally do it it’s an awesome hike!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Been on the list for a while, will have to check it out eventually.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Great views from the summit of Sneffels thanks for showing this to us, can see this is not a route I would want to take with the exposed class 3 moves you did. Have done the hike up to the pass from Blue Lakes it is beautiful the all the way.

[@qwryzu]

Definitely doing this one next summer, I ended up doing Uncompaghre instead this summer because descriptions of the standard notch made me nervous. After seeing it, I really don't know what the big fuss is about

[@pattip1982]

Surprisingly it did not sound windy at all, which is not the case for a lot of 14er summits. You had terrific weather. I like when you comment on how dog-friendly the route is and use Juno as the benchmark.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Been working very hard on improving the audio quality over the years due to wind. Its impossible sometimes, but my current filming set-up lets me sustain decent audio for most hikes. I think the dog info is so undervalued, but its included on all hikes (video or not) as if I was bringing Juno along 👍

[@andyburris2555]

Great video as always. Just a quick nag: I see at about the 13 minute mark till you gain the summit you use your left hand/arm for balance quite a bit. Please please please be careful and try not to take any extra risk for us subscribers.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

No risk is being taken for anyone but myself but appreciate the concern.

[@jeffzhang4384]

Request : mt sneffels via snake couloir in spring

[@georgesheffield1580]

Interesting if the snow is good , otherwise a marble shoot .

[@joshuamathews5507]

Honestly the downclimb wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Tricky navigation in sections though, almost went down the wrong couloir. I don't recommend bringing a 30lb backpack up though 😂

[@georgesheffield1580]

When are you goi g to get some of the San Juans big 13ers?

[@ConquerYou]

What kind of shoes are using?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

All my gear is linked in the description of the video 🤟🏽

[@JTScouture]

What month did you climb this?

[@peterkail4122]

Great video! I was wondering where I am allowed to fly my drone on this hike, and where I am not? Thanks

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Great question - this is your best bet: www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a415bca07f0a4bee9f0e894b0db5c3b6&find=Glacier%20Bay%20Wilderness - you can search anything here. Its not comprehensive though because it does not have Wilderness Study Areas listed, National Parks, etc. In addition, you need to follow general flying rules (not flying over crowds, height restrictions etc.) For this one: technically if you take the standard route and noone is around, you should be good to go until you get the top. If you are taking the SW ridge (this video) once you are on the ridge itself, you can't fly - including the summit.

[@peterkail4122]

@@TheVirtualSherpa sorry for the late reply. I appreciate that information. I'm getting ready to go down and do it from the blue Lake's side mid September. Love the videos!

[@PhatPat6069]

15:08 @rynemoen says you should go up and over on the right hahha

[@caseyhunt]

​ @The Virtual sherpa How do you think this route compares to Kelso Ridge in terms of difficulty and exposure?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

While these are both intro level Class 3 - Kelso is a pretty big step down in terms of difficulty. This ridge has a few legit Class 3 moves and the top portion of the ridge is very exposed. Kelso is really just one move that is airy and a few very tiny Class 3 sections. Watch both videos and compare for yourself, but I think I am being pretty fair with the above comparison if memory serves me correctly.

[@danmac247]

So in planning my first couple of 14er climbs this year and next, would you say this is the "better" way to go for the first time up and a "new to 14ers" hiker?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

No, I would recommend the standard route for a first time. Honestly though, I would not recommend Sneffels as your first 14er, check out Handies Peak instead if you are looking for one in the San Juans.

[@marcump]

I haven't done this one or any on the western side of the Continental Divide, but after seeing this I'm going to have to plan a trip next year.. too late for me this year before winter. I always carry extra plastic bags.. I probably would've carried out that mess you ran across... hung triple, quadriple bagged on the outside of my pack...ewwwh. That is so uncool to leave that anywhere.. I always use a wag-bag and carry out everything.

[@oliviavelasquez2501]

Question! Once you got on top of blue lakes pass, on the other side, is that the blue lake trail to go to the blue lakes? I am having trouble of finding a map for both trails connecting together

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Correct yeah - once you hit the ridge, if you were to continue on down (not up the mountain) you would hit the blue lakes themselves and onto the blue lakes trail which brings you to a separate trailhead after several miles.

[@oliviavelasquez2501]

@@TheVirtualSherpa thank you!

[@johnpickens2975]

How would you compare the exposure and scrambling to Engineer?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Haven’t done Engineer yet so can’t compare.

[@submergedroots]

Is the split where you can park for the Blue Lakes trailhead as well?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Blue lakes is generally hiked from the other side of the pass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmGZnpSAm6tmnZIsi=EJaLlW6-ajt73Wu8

[@submergedroots]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Thank you!

[@garrettj1220]

when did u record/climb this?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Every video has a link in the description that provides more information about the hike including when I hiked it. This was in early September of this year 👍

[@johnfleming3885]

What did you need to do, for flying the drone in that area?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

So long as you are not flying in the wilderness - be sure to know exactly where that is as it’s right around this area - just follow the standard drone laws.

[@johnfleming3885]

@@TheVirtualSherpa will I need a permit/registration?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

As long as you are not flying in the wilderness area, nope. I always use this map: www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a415bca07f0a4bee9f0e894b0db5c3b6&find=Nopah%20Range%20Wilderness + reading all signage around TH to ensure drones are good to go.

[@htownallday281]

What's worse, Sneffles descent or Bross?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Oh man, tough one - I would say Bross simply because it sees WAY more foot traffic han Sneffels. 14ers Initiatives estimates around 5,000 hikers on Sneffels in 2019 vs 20-25k on Bross. 2020 numbers are sure to be much higher than that I would guess but probably similar ratios.

[@killermoose93]

I took my dog, 50lb border collie, up the southwest ridge. A few spots where it was deffy sketch but he made it. Standard route down, notch was the only problem

[@georgesheffield1580]

I dad forgotten how rotten that part of the San Juans are.

[@benjaminfinley9314]

Okay, at 8:57 - how is that not considered a Class 4 move? My wife and I attempted this route last summer but I made the call to bail at this point because I thought we were in the wrong place. We descended right down that gully, which was a horrible idea.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Great question - that move I did was easily class 4 but there is a much easier way up on the left side of the shot. I didn’t see it the first time I did this route so just made due with that fun move. However, when I revisited it - I found the left side move and while the rock is a bit more loose it’s much, much easier.

[@benjaminfinley9314]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Thanks for the response! I had a feeling there might be a second option there. Just wish we’d been a little more confident in our route finding that day.

[@georgesheffield1580]

One person's 3rd or 4th class is another's 2+ walk

[@kristenoliveira6645]

Duuude somebody totally dropped a deuce on the Kelso Ridge when I did it.....left the paper and put two rocks on top.... small rocks.....so gross

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

🤢