Mt. Harvard

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 7/14/2025, By: Paterclimber
Info: My friends and I received dual degrees from Harvard and Columbia today. The dog was even awarded dual doctorates. As you make your way from one campus to the other, you'll still encounter a number of snowfields (see pictures of two examples). Several of them require crossing. Most of them are in the talus field below the connecting ridge. For the ones we crossed, we opted not to use the spikes we had with us and managed fine. One of the last snowfields, as you're approaching Columbia and nearing the end of the talus field, is steep. Do read carefully the route description of the traverse found on this site. These schools are selective, and receiving dual admission on the same day is difficult. 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 7/7/2025, By: maraki
Info: Mostly summer, but about 8 snowfields to cross. Spikes would have been nice, especially on one that is a bit steeper. Otherwise, gorgeous conditions. The trail is dry and well-maintained on the front approaches. Some cairns have been knocked down or could be under snow on the traverse. If you take your time, there are enough to get you through it clearly. It's a lot of scrambling. Full trip report on trip report section. 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 7/3/2025, By: econner
Info: Summer conditions most of the way. There are a couple of snow fields that I ended up crossing on the backside of the traverse, but they could probably be avoided if need be. Started at 3am, summited Harvard around 6:15am, and reached summit of Columbia at 8:30am. It would have been nice to have spikes for the snow fields, but I managed ok with poles and trail runners. Top of trail up Columbia is a bit loose and washed out, lower newer trail is primo. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/27/2025, By: MountainBuhn
Info: Snow a non factor now. Completely summer conditions if you will. Started at 12:30, so no traverse for us today - the route looked fairly drier than the 6/25 report. 2nd time up Harvard. 1st time for the pup. Horn Fork Basin is slept on. Amazing views in the afternoon. Also stopped by Bear Lake (great fishing). 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 6/25/2025, By: jpriske
Info: About 3-4 snowfields remain on the traverse that require careful navigation. The first few were very solid but the last couple had some very bad postholing (nearly waist deep). You could probably avoid the last couple of snowfields but would be at the expense of losing a lot of elevation. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/22/2025, By: 4x4more
Info: There is still 4 or 5 short snow fields up high, but the boot pack has them in good shape. I brought microspikes, but didn't put them on. I just carefully followed the boot pack steps which seemed pretty solid. I did see where some poor soul stepped just a couple feet over and had a deep post hole right next to a big rock which looked like it had to be painful. It was super windy up top so didn't stay up on the summit block very long. Other than the wind it was a beautiful day. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/20/2025, By: TT4life
Info: Snow still on the route, including the summit block area. Micro spikes helped and I would consider bringing them for another week. The traverse looked to have significant snow throughout as well. 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 6/20/2025, By: Ingerfied
Info: Pretty great conditions! Snow has melted out in the Horn Fork Basin. Few snow fields remain headed up Harvard (did not need traction). Ridge traverse started great! I made the mistake of staying too high on the Rabbit Ears and did some fun scrambling, but eventually gave in and did a 50' glissade down to the true (lower) route. Some snow that couldn't easily be avoided: one patch I walked across no problem, the second I postholed hip deep. No snow heading up Columbia from the traverse, a few patches on the summit. The traverse took me about 3.5 hours but that was due to me fiddle-farting (scrambling/climbing) high on the ridge rather than dropping down to the lower route. 15.5 miles, 5,700', 10 hrs total. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/16/2025, By: Ssgustafson
Info: Day-hiked Harvard yesterday in absolutely perfect weather conditions! Some inconsequential snow remains on route that can be easily avoided or crossed. 50F and no wind on the summit. A fun 1000’ glissade eased the descent. Microspikes were unnecessary ballast. Go get this one! 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/14/2025, By: RussellB
Info: Nearly the end of shoulder season. There were maybe 10 or so short snow fields to cross. There was some post holing, but it wasn't troublesome. Brought spikes and they stayed in my pack all day. A bit wet and muddy, although my shoes never got completely soaked. If you're considering the traverse, it looked like there was still a fair amount of snow on the NE slopes of Columbia. 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 6/8/2025, By: Matthew Holliman
Info: I did the Columbia to Harvard traverse on Saturday. Going this direction, and with reasonable route finding to minimise snow (especially on the descent from Harvard), I found no need for snowshoes. Crampons/poles sufficed. I postholed a number of times throughout the day, but never enough for me to bother pulling the snowshoes out of my pack. More details on PB: https://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=2861659 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 6/8/2025, By: AurumSun13
Info: If you want to have the hardest hike of your life, then you should do this traverse now. The combo itself is already difficult as a +15mi 6K elevation gain route, but add in melting snow and you get a real challenge. Floatation was a requirement going between the two peaks and for most of the basin going up to Harvard. Being not that experienced as a snowshoer, the traverse itself took me ~3.5hrs. Personally, I recommend waiting a few more weeks for more of the snow to melt. Right now it's in the horrible sweet spot where it can be stable early in the morning but turns into a postholing nightmare by midday. Gaiters were definitely a good choice, although my feet got wet anyway. 

Route: Harvard and Columbia Traverse
Posted On: 5/25/2025, By: creid27
Info: If you want a tough day then the Harvard Columbia traverse is for you right now. I camped around 11,100 then by 11'300 it is all snow covered. I started around 6am and there wasn't enough crust so I put on my snowshoes for a mile or so then it was crusty enough for no snowshoes. The conditions worsened throughout the day and it took 3 hours to go from Harvard to Columbia. Snowshoes were required for the saddle and Columbia approach. After descending Columbia and going back to camp, snowshoes were post holing from 11'400 back to 11,100. After about 11,000 the snow thins out and no flotation needed. 

Route: South Face
Posted On: 5/17/2025, By: stickmann
Info: Continuous snow starts at 11,200 feet. There is still a lot of snow, especially in the upper basin and the standard route slope. The upper parts of the south face are thin but the lower 3/4 are still in. I didn't bring flotation and used a solid trench that was put in before, thanks. I would have needed flotation if it were even a few degrees warmer today. Decided against the traverse to Columbia after seeing a lot more snow than I expected along the ridge. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 5/15/2025, By: jmanner
Info: Didn’t Ski it but got a good view from Yale. It doesn’t look in.