Mt. Sniktau

Mt. Sniktau is a short and steep hike situated just north of the Arapahoe Basin ski area. Mt. Sniktau is one of the more accessible 13ers in Colorado, and it's located just over an hour from Denver. The 4-mile out-and-back begins at the top of Loveland Pass on Route 6 at 11,959 feet and heads to the east up the steep slope. Some parking is available here but may fill up during busy times. The views are gorgeous from the very beginning, with views of the Arapahoe Basin ski area to the south, several scenic unnamed peaks across the pass, and of Cupid and Grizzly Peak to the east.

The trail ascends steeply for about 1 mile to the ridge, reaching a consistent grade of over 25% for a quarter mile at the top. The trail is rocky and mostly consists of loose scree; sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. A large cairn marks the junction where the trail splits; the trail to Mt Sniktau turns left along the ridge, where the grade lessens for a bit before steepening again until the summit, topping out at 13,240 feet. The views are phenomenal; the ridge and the summit both offer sweeping vistas of Torreys Peak and many other surrounding mountains.

The route is an out-and-back, so hikers can return via the same path to the trailhead. However, for an extended hike, the trail to Cupid and to Grizzly Peak offers more beautiful vistas and another challenging hiking option. Cupid can be reached 0.8 miles from the junction at the ridge, and Grizzly Peak is another 1.1 miles farther along the ridge.

For visitors during the winter or whenever snow is present, the entire Loveland Pass area undergoes avalanche mitigation measures. This helps keep the road and slopes safe but does make it dangerous to travel in the area when avalanche operations are occurring. Those wishing to hike Mt. Sniktau should consult avalanche forecast information and reports before visiting.