Colorado 14er: Mount Shavano (14,230’)

Jun 28

On Sunday we headed out for a nice long walk in the Sawatch Range. We planned for about 6-7 hours of hiking so we decided to head to the Angel of Shavano trailhead. We began by heading north on the Colorado Trail and after a couple of miles we made our way west up the Mount Shavano (14,230’) standard route.

We took our time, I kept my HR in zone 1-2 and RPE was about 3-5. I carried my Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25, weighing a little over 15lbs. We have some big adventures planned ahead and have been playing around with pack and gear options. It is extremely important to not forget about training with all of the gear necessary for your upcoming goal adventure or race.

The more comfortable you are carrying weight, making quick adjustments, adding and removing layers, stowing poles, using your hydration filter, etc. the more efficient and enjoyable your adventure will be. In the end, we covered 14 miles with 5,300 feet of climbing and 5,200 feet of descending.

Mount Shavano has a close neighbor, Tabeguache Peak (14,158’) and are usually climbed together but we only had time for Shavano. We definitely will be back often to this area as our little mountain town of Salida; where we call home, is just a 20 minute drive away. Shavano is the southern and easternmost 14er in the Sawatch range of the San Isabel National Forest. It is most noted for the Angel of Shavano on its east face. In spring and early summer the snow filled gullies resemble an angel with upstreched wings.

All routes are class 2 from any of the trailheads. Severe erosion has closed the Jennings Creek route, the Forest Service has asked hikers to use the Blank Gulch (4 or all wheel drive with good clearance recommended) or the Angel of Shavano trailhead. Conditions on this mountain, like all Colorado 14ers, are subject to change rapidly, especially during the summer months which is prime climbing season. The mountains have their own weather system, and weather forecasts from nearby towns often have little to do with actual mountain conditions. You can generally count on clear to partly cloudy in the morning, and heavy clouds and thunderstorms in the afternoon during the summer so get out early!