Mt. Sniktau

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/22/2023, By: madmattd
Info: Last-minute hike of the Loveland Pass 13ers trio due to the forecast changing to be so nice. See reports for Cupid and Grizzly D for info on those peaks. Added Snikatu at the tail end of the day. Nothing dramatic to report here, microspikes are best as there is generally a couple inches of snow (wind-packed and powder) with intermittent bare ground all the way from PT12,915 to the Snikatu summit. The usual cornices are forming to the East, the foot traffic was sticking to near the summer route with some deviations further West as needed to avoid potential hazards. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 12/4/2022, By: collinsinclair
Info: Lots of fresh snow on the first climb up to the saddle, but spikes did the job. Ridge is wind blasted - no need for floatation anywhere along the route. Watch for large cornices. Windy as hell! 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/17/2022, By: EMan
Info: A few patches of snow on the trail to Sniktau, easily avoidable. No snow on Sniktau summit or sub-peaks en route from Loveland Pass. Primarily, still summer trail conditions. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 7/2/2022, By: mgl45
Info: All looks good. Still some snow on the slopes, making for pretty views, but no snow on the trail or on the summit. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/15/2022, By: EMan
Info: Summer conditions. (I.e. No snow on trail). Slightly smoky air but not noticeable to me. Saw 36 people on the trail but less than a dozen heading to the summit. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/8/2022, By: Boontawn
Info: Summer conditions. Was a bit windy today but sunny and relatively warm. A few short snow patches that you have to cross but they are compacted and slushy with a trail going through all of them. Sniktau had areas of snow on the summit. Much easier than doing it in the winter. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2022, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Two small snowfields after the 12900' turn between Sniktau and Cupid/Grizzly. Go through not around. Otherwise all snow is not on the trail. Typical wind after 12900'. Easy to follow trail in 95% summer conditions. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 5/15/2022, By: dhagan
Info: No traction needed. Essentially summer conditions. 3 easy to manage small snow field/patches on the way to PT 12,915. 2 easy to manage small snow field/patches between PT 12,915 and Mt. Sniktau summit. Typical very windy day. 

Route: Cupid, Grizzly, Sniktau
Posted On: 3/20/2022, By: Laxer04
Info: Micros were helpful, but not needed to get all 3 summits. Floatation not needed 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 2/6/2022, By: mtngoatwithstyle
Info: Very quiet day today. Cold and a little windy but sunny. Temperatures were 10F at the top of the ridge and there was some wind that made it feel colder. I did not summit as I was just going to a little bit of a hike with elevation but I did see one hiker the whole time I was there headed in that direction and one other towards Cupid. Ridge is in good shape, there is some fresh snow, some wind blown snow and some icy patches. I used microspikes the whole time. I was ok. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 12/27/2021, By: petal53run
Info: Arrival and up to Sniktau was on clear dirt trail. After summiting, high winds and blowing snow covered return route to Loveland Pass. Near whiteout conditions and careful navigating enabled us to return safely to vehicles. Snowplows active on US6. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/20/2021, By: Mark Goldstein
Info: Southwest ridge up had small amount of snow. Used traction (e.g. microspikes). Very windy on the ridge to the summit. 22 degrees at Loveland parking space. Approx 10 degrees on summit. Partly cloudy days. Small precipitation on the way down. Some areas high on the ridge had 3-12 inches of soft snow. Fun day overall. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/7/2021, By: crb443
Info: One flat snow crossing on the route, does not require traction. Started at 5:45 am, summited around 7:15 am. Had the summit to myself for about 20 minutes. Saw 2 folks taking engagement photos on my way up and 9 other hikers on the way down. Excellent hike to gauge your physical condition for climbing season and/ or see how your pup will handle class1 and mild class 2 climbing. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/6/2021, By: HarkNeal
Info: Trailhead to Point 12915 is totally dry. Only a couple small snowfields between 12915 and the false summit. Traction not necessary. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/4/2021, By: schumi248
Info: The only snow crossings are basically flat, no spikes or anything needed. Between the false summit and sniktau, the trail stays to the left of the snow cornice. I had spikes in my pack, only because I always carry them, as they do t weigh much or take up much room.