Mt. Shavano

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 11/1/2026, By: Will_E
Info: Tried to beat the storm this afternoon, didn't quite make it. Started snowing just before I reached treeline, wind was pretty nasty, calmed down a bit at summit, wasn't as terrible on the way down. Started at Angel of Shavano TH today. No gear needed today, just lots of layers. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/25/2026, By: Burksasaurus
Info: On the ascent, trail was mostly clear until just before the switchbacks in the talus field (likely around 12,800'). The trail in the talus was field was covered consistently with up to approximately 10" of snow with a few drifts up to 2' deep. Around 13, 400, the top of the Angel snowfield was a hard slab, likely a shallow windslab that made me wish I had crampons rather than microspikes. There was a path through that was softer snow I was able to follow. I did not summit. Visibility was low all day but at 13,570' the visibility dropped to less than 60'. Heavy snow was going to start within the hour so I turned around. On the return during the storm, snow coverage had increase all the way to the trailhead. By the end of the storm, I am sure several inches of snow accumulated up high. My camp site at Shavano Campground at 8,200' received about 2" overnight. Photo is toward the end of the talus field before the storm. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/21/2026, By: CraigCook1974
Info: Up to ~3-4 inches of snow on path above 13,000ft. Slushy and muddy sections below that. Spikes were helpful near the top and to get to Tabeguache - especially for me as a beginner. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 10/18/2026, By: Will_E
Info: Still mostly runnable, sections of snow are well tracked. No gear needed, beautiful day. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/27/2026, By: Shawn Ironman
Info: Submitted around noon. Bluebird day. Upper 1000 ft elevation was snow/ice. No traction needed but would help. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 9/22/2026, By: inthemaze
Info: Glorious weather to re-hike this behemoth and finally make it over to Tabeguache. Aspens just shy of peak. The new CFI trail is amazing! We met four of the construction crew- all gems. Not my favorite road. Not as bad as Jennings Creek, but I have a low tolerance for so-called roads that feature washouts, gullies, and rocks bigger than a Tonka truck. Subaruable. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/29/2026, By: jessishiking
Info: Been waiting to hike this peak until CFI finished the trail, and WOW the new trail a sight to behold! Incredible work, congrats and many thanks to all involved! In my opinion this new trail elevates Shavano to of the best Sawatch 14ers, especially for beginners.

Can confirm the stream at 10,800 is a flowing, working water source, contrary to reports last month. Today was windier than forecast, and multiple people reported being blown over on the traverse to Tabeguache.

Parking lot was full at 6am, but overflow lot still had space. The road looks scarier in the dark than it is. Definitely Subaruable. The first section is the worst — just go slow, and watch for cows! 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/26/2026, By: Mate0
Info: Just an update to confirm that there is indeed plenty of water at the stream crossing at 10,800', contrary to multiple reports below. It appears to be the main water source for the nearby CFI basecamp. At less than 2 miles from the Blanks Cabin TH, this water source is mainly useful for those starting from North Fork Rd / Angel of Shavano TH who want to travel light.

FYI -- The new rock walls between 12,000' and 13,000' are works of art. CFI rocks. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 8/18/2026, By: kmochel
Info: Missed the trail - and I wasn't alone.

Started at 5am from the parking lot and started walking. After 2.5 miles and the sun was up I knew I had missed a turn as I was still on the Colorado trail and moving away from the mountain.

Looked at the map and sure enough, missed the left turn to Shavano which is maybe 0.25 miles from the parking lot.

And on may way back passed a couple other sets of hikers who did the same thing.

The sign is hard to see in the dark as it sits off the trail and is higher than expected so don't make the same mistake I did. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/17/2026, By: wwdonaldson
Info: Very nice intro 14er. Brought two highschool seniors with me. The only downside is there no water anywhere. Great dispersed camping options 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/12/2026, By: annikakinnaman
Info: Summer conditions. Creek near trailhead totally dry so no water sources to filter along route.
Also, don’t know where else to post this; Are you from Denver area and hiking Shav or Tab soon? :) I parked at the shavano east slopes trail head and in my post-trail delusion left my blue topo trail runners (with socks and gaiters on top) by the bathroom at the trailhead. I live in Denver area; I am wondering if anyone else who lives in the broader Denver area is hiking from this trailhead in the next several days and would be willing to be SO KIND and grab my shoes for me? :,) I can coordinate a convenient place to get them from ya back in the Denver area. Cell: 8053405243 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/11/2026, By: brockjs7992
Info: Great trail most of the way up. There was a CFI crew working on putting up rock walls against the trail about half a mile from tree line. There was another crew working on the trail towards the top. There is a part of the trail that has been re-routed about .75 miles from tree line, but just stay to the right and follow the switch backs. The CFI crew was building rock cairns about 150 feet below the summit that should be easier to follow. There is a false peak from the switch backs. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/2/2026, By: rsuminsby
Info: Trail is in great shape for almost the entire route….work is ongoing on the very last section to the summit. The GPX file has been updated to the new route. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 7/2/2026, By: rsuminsby
Info: Trail is in great shape for almost the entire route….work is ongoing on the very last section to the summit. The GPX file has been updated to the new route. 

Route: East Slopes
Posted On: 6/28/2026, By: UltraTrailSteven
Info: Just FYI the GPX downloaded from this site is wrong. It doesn’t have the reroutes.