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.:Getting to the trailhead:. The trailhead for the this steep, wild ridge approach to Shavano is just off US50, on the southeast side of Shavano. From Denver, take US285 southwest out of Denver, through the foothills and South Park to the junction of US 285 and US 24 (just west of Johnson's Village and just south of Buena Vista). From this junction, head south on US 24 towards Salida. Upon reaching the US-24 / US-50 junction just outside Salida, turn right (west) on US 50 and drive 6 miles to the tiny, tiny burg of Maysville. Take a right on Chaffee County 240, and the Angel of Shavano trailhead and campground are 4 miles up the road, which is passable for most cars, even in the winter. The campground is on the left (south) side of the road, and the actual trailhead is on the right. .:The trail:. The standard "East Slopes" route is a relatively easy and non-technical route, Class I and some Class II all the way to the summit. Starting from the Blank Gulch trailhead, stike out north on the well-marked Colorado Trail for 0.25 miles, then turn left (west) onto the trail for Shavano. The trail register is about 100 yards up the trail. The trail is moderately steep and steady for the first mile or so through the dense forest of aspens and blue spruce. A few flat spots mark good places for camping. The trail does a 180-degree switchback and traverses up to the north side of the basin that holds the Angel (if the conditions are good and you want to climb the Angel, leave the trail at this first switchback and bushwhack your way to the base of the snow formation). As the trail clears treeline, you can't quite see the summit yet, but the trail is obvious as it winds up the east slopes to a broad saddle at 13,300'. From here, turn right (north) and follow the cairns to the now-obvious summit, about 0.6 miles from the saddle. .:Trip Report:. no trip report posted |
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