Summit Peak

Route: SE Slopes
Posted On: 6/30/2025, By: DixieFlyer
Info: I had to get off the trail at about 12,000 feet to bypass a snow field, but it was a very easy bypass. Other than that, summer conditions prevailed. There was no snow whatsoever going up the grassy slope on the SE side. The road was in pretty decent shape -- there were some crossover SUV's parked at the TH. 

Route: From Summit Peak TH
Posted On: 10/13/2024, By: mikemalick
Info: No hint of Winter at all on any of the trio Summit/The Unicorn/Montezuma. Of course late week weather change could change all that. Drive in from Monte Vista side very easy for any vehicle. 

Route: Summit Peak Trailhead
Posted On: 8/16/2024, By: JasonKline
Info: Summit/Unicorn/Montezuma is in summer conditions with no snow or ice. My Hyundai Ioniq had no problem making it to the Summit Peak trailhead, so any vehicle can get there with careful driving. 

Route: Treasure creek trail
Posted On: 7/5/2023, By: SnowAlien
Info: I started on Treasure creek trail, but quickly got bored and shwacked uphill to speed up the process. Above the treeline the route is straightforward. I took SE ridge - lovely, decent rock, lots of wildflowers. North ridge was even easier than expected - loose Class 3 at most. Continued to Unicorn and Montezuma. 

Route: Summit Peak Trailhead
Posted On: 7/5/2023, By: hatterasdunton
Info: Small snow patches below treeline. After treeline, there are some larger snowfields that we used microspikes for. No snowshoes needed if you go early enough. 

Route: South Slopes
Posted On: 6/1/2022, By: supranihilest
Info: Starting at the Summit Peak trailhead I followed the Treasure Creek trail up the long valley switchback. Lots of deadfall in the forested sections, sometimes making following the trail difficult. Once above treeline there's one steep-ish snow section going up the ridge northeast of Summit, I didn't use traction but it could be useful here if the snow isn't soft. Remainder of route is obvious and most of the snow is avoidable. I descended back to the CDT and took that to "The Unicorn". Gear: microspikes could be useful in a spot or two if snow isn't soft, otherwise nothing special needed. 

Route: South slopes/East ridge from Treasure Creek
Posted On: 5/29/2022, By: HikerGuy
Info: Car camped at spot a few hundred yards before trailhead. Took direct route up along Treasure Creek. Deadfall not a problem. No snow until crossing creek. Microspikes were useful after crossing creek. No gear needed after treeline. Ascended the south slopes/east ridge, snow free. Descended same route and contoured over to "The Unicorn" on the CDT. Much snow remains on the CDT, but boot pack is in. 

Route: Via Treasure Creek
Posted On: 6/21/2020, By: bangerth
Info: Only a few snow fields left, and all but one easy to bypass. The one remaining one is at the cliffs that one has to go around on the right and it would have been nice to go up one of the slopes directly to the shallower area above. Either way, 0.1 miles of a detour at most. Go get it while you can. About 90% of the forest is dead from beetles, and will eventually fall -- creating a giant maze for the part of the "trail" that goes through the forest. 

Route: South and North Ridges
Posted On: 8/18/2014, By: TravelingMatt
Info: I went over the summit of Summit south to north, as part of the three-bagger with Unicorn and Montezuma. The north ridge of Summit does "go" but that‘s the only nice thing I have to say about it. Expect occasional scrambling with lose rock and scree fields at the angle of repose, and for your route to deviate 100-200‘ from the ridge proper. Test every hand and foothold. The south ridge is all grass and much more agreeable.