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Mount Sniktau

based on 143 tracks & routes #12 hike out of 642 in
3.6 mi
Distance
1 hrs 31 min
Time
terrain
1,214 ft
Elev Gain

Overview

This is a easy out and back trail to Mount Sniktau in Arapaho National Forest.

This 13er is a great hike to catch some amazing views while testing your ability to handle altitude while hiking.

The trail is very well marked then entire route with two false summits along the way which are great places to stop and take breaks.

Getting Started

Parking is right at the trailhead off of Loveland Pass with a clearly marked trailhead. Please respect signs for parking as it is limited. Once there, access to the ridge is visible. Observe conditions prior to hiking/climbing. It can be deceiving from the bottom, always be prepared for the alpine, be ready for high altitude conditions and check weather conditions prior to this hike. Remember that this hike/climb is in the alpine and tundra is very fragile and may not recover from trampling on it. Stay on trail. Wildlife is also present, so dogs can be presented to them as a predator and threat. As you climb up and reach the ridge, you will see a faint trail that veers left. Follow the trail as it contours around the ridge on the way to Sniktau. There are several wind shelters made of rocks and a couple of false summits before you reach the true summit. You will be gaining and losing elevation on your way to the summit and back. In the winter, please be aware that several cornices form and it is highly dangerous to walk on them. Always stay as far as you can from them and be aware of your surroundings. Also, this area is usually very windy. Be advised that it can be dangerous to attempt to do Mt. Sniktau when such winds and gusts are present.

Taking Children

Many children seen hiking this route with no technical sections.



    Rate this Hike

    user_profile
    3 years, 10 months ago
    A few areas where the trail was about ankle deep but most of it was very firm or a mix of dirt / packed snow. Spikes are perfect. Left the trailhead at roughly 5am and landed on the false summit (.9 miles from the peak) right at first light. Arrived on the top of Sniktau just as the sun was rising. Weather projection was spot on with roughly 10mph winds at the top. Got a little chilly but otherwise beautiful morning. One other person was there to begin a pre-dawn hike but they were headed for Grizzly Peak. We started running into people on our way down. Trailhead: 5am Total time round trip: 4 hours (that includes time at the top watching the sunrise and a stop to take pictures). Be cautious.. there is a pretty solid cornice on the final approach to Sniktau but it’s very easily avoidable by staying to the left as you climb. Remember that they tend to break off much further back than people realize. https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/cornice/
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    5 years, 3 months ago
    Great hike to test your ability to handle altitude.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    2 years, 5 months ago
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    4 years, 4 months ago
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    5 years, 1 month ago
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    5 years, 3 months ago

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    5 years, 3 months ago
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    5 years, 3 months ago
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Public Tracks

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ChillyHazel1479 5 years, 4 months ago
Loveland Pass NE
Full moon hike with Erik.
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wpwarnock 3 weeks, 5 days ago
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russbrown23 1 month ago
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