Mount Sniktau (13,240ft.) is a 13er mountain located in Colorado’s central Front Range, within the Arapaho National Forest. Located on the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass, Mount Sniktau is extremely close to Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and offers an excellent introduction to 13er hiking. Indeed, an adventure to the summit of Mount Sniktau is very straightforward and relatively easy in comparison to many other Colorado 13er and 14er mountains.
The standard route to the summit of Mount Sniktau is via its Southwest Ridge. The route begins at the parking area off of the east side of Loveland Pass Road (US-6), right at Loveland Pass. At 3.7 miles roundtrip, with approximately 1,250ft of elevation gain, the hike is mostly along a Class 1 trail with a small bit of scrambling at the summit. If you’re looking for a longer hike and bigger challenge, consider adding in nearby 13,427ft. Grizzly Peak.
Hike Review Series: Mount Sniktau
Mountain Information
Mount Sniktau, located in Colorado’s Arapaho National Forest, is named after Edwin H. N. Patterson, who was a notable Colorado journalist, editor, and friend of author Edgar Allen Poe. In 1875, Patterson became editor of the “Colorado Miner” magazine in Georgetown, CO. On occasion, Patterson would use the pen name of Sniktau, which he had said was bestowed upon him by Native Americans. However, others have inferred that Patterson took the pen name from another journalist, W. F. Watkins, who went by Sniktaw (a reverse spelling of Watkins).
Either way, Mount Sniktau is named in honor of Patterson’s pen name and his contributions to Colorado history. At an elevation of 13,240ft., Mount Sniktau is an incredibly popular 13er given its location on the Continental Divide and proximity to the Denver metro area.
Mount Sniktau
Trail Guide
Overview
The Class 1 Southwest Ridge route to Mount Sniktau begins at the top of Loveland Pass, across the road from the Continental Divide sign on Loveland Pass Road (US-6). The trailhead has a parking area for about 30-40 vehicles, but given the close proximity to the Denver area, only the earliest of arrivals are likely to secure a parking spot here during peak season (and even during winter when backcountry skiing is popular).
From the Loveland Pass parking area, the route is almost completely along a Class 1 trail, save for some simple scrambling to Mount Sniktau’s summit. At about 1.0 mile into the hike along the Mount Sniktau Trail, a junction is reached with the Mount Sniktau Trail heading to the left and the Grizzly Peak Trail heading to the right. Head left to continue the ascent toward Mount Sniktau for about another 1.0 mile and scramble up to the summit for some amazingly vast views.
Route Information
Route Instructions
Step 13
The overall return trip back to the Loveland Pass Trailhead from the Mount Sniktau summit is about 1.9 miles. Descend Mount Sniktau and return the way you ascended, remembering to turn right down toward the parking area when reaching the junction with the Grizzly Peak Trail. End back at the trailhead’s main parking area and enjoy the accomplishment of climbing a fantastic Colorado 13er.
Planning Tips
Getting There
From I-70, take exit 216 for US-6 W toward Loveland Pass. Pass the Loveland Ski Area as you head up US-6 W (Loveland Pass Road), which is very steep and windy. Stay on US-6 W for about 4.5 miles until reaching the Loveland Pass Continental Divide sign on the west side of the road and the main parking area and trailhead on the east side.
Parking
The hike to Mount Sniktau begins at the parking area on the east side of Loveland Pass Road, opposite the Continental Divide sign. Because this is a popular tourist spot, as well as a great place to hike, this parking area fills quickly. The parking area at the trailhead has enough spaces for around 30-40 vehicles, so arrive early to get a good spot. If these spots are filled, head south on Loveland Pass Road a bit for some additional parking areas on the east side of the road; however, parking here will require adding some distance to the hike.
Camping
There are no nearby camping options around the Loveland Pass area. However, if you are looking for a campsite and don’t mind a longer drive, try the Peak One Campground located on the Dillon Reservoir near Frisco, CO. It’s a beautiful campground about 30 minutes from the pass and sites are about $20/night.
Pets
Dogs are permitted on leash. There is a little bit of scrambling required to reach the summit of Mount Sniktau, which could pose challenges for some dogs. If you do opt to bring your pet, please be considerate of others by keeping your pet on leash and picking up/packing out any dog waste.
Weather Forecast
Always check the weather forecast before venturing into alpine country. Thunderstorms and lightning are frequent occurrences in Colorado during the summer time. Plan ahead and if the weather does not look ideal, try your Mount Sniktau 13er summit adventure for another day. Safety first!
Provisions and Dining
The closest town to Loveland Pass is Silver Plume, but there are also a number of ski resorts within reasonable proximity, including Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, and Keystone Ski Resort. The towns of Dillon and Silverthorne are also a fairly short drive from the pass. Thus, there are plenty of options for provisions and dining within about 20 to 30 minutes of driving.
Café ProFusion
Café ProFusion is located in Dillon, CO, not far from the Keystone Ski Resort. This is a great spot for a late lunch or dinner — check their website for current hours. The menu here is eclectic and delicious – ranging from curry entrees to their extremely popular braised baby back ribs with Mediterranean and Asian spices. Everything is gluten free and many options on the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan friendly.
119 E La Bonte St., Ste. 208
Dillon, CO 80435
Angry James Brewery
If you’re wanting to relax after your summit adventure with a pint of local microbrewed beer, check out Angry James Brewery in Silverthorne. They have a fantastic selection of beers on tap – ranging from IPAs, hefeweizens, lagers, porters, and stouts. Try their Alpen Weisse hefeweizen for an aprés-hike beverage! They also have a great appetizer menu (including Bavarian pretzels!) and larger main dishes like pizzas and chili. A particular favorite here is their Beet and Sweets Tacos with roasted beets and sweet potatoes.
421 Adams Ave.
Silverthorne, CO 80498
Recommended Hiking Apparel and Gear
Ten Essentials
When hiking in Colorado, you should always be prepared for sudden changes in weather, especially on 13er and 14er hikes. Therefore, you should carry the appropriate type and amount of gear, clothing, food, water, and other essentials. For certain, make sure that your packing list includes the Ten Essentials. It’s best to always be prepared!
Hiking Shoes
The Vasque Breeze LT hiking shoes are incredibly lightweight, provide excellent traction, and are quite affordable for their versatility. We like the Vasque Breeze LT’s for everyday hiking that includes a bit of scrambling. In addition, with the “Naturetex” construction, you don’t have to worry about damp feet if the weather turns or you have to splash through streams or puddles along the way.
Hiking Pants
We love prAna’s hiking pants for their quality and versatility. Indeed, their Zion (for men) and Halle (for women) are great on- and off-trail, especially for travel. Constructed with a durable UPF-50 fabric, a water-repellant finish, and utility pockets, these have become a staple in our wardrobe. Remember that it can be rather chilly at at alpine elevations, so consider hiking pants rather than shorts (both for warmth and sun protection).
Hiking Shirt
It can get chilly during alpine outings, particularly when you start early in the morning. Therefore, we typically opt for a long sleeve but lightweight shirt to keep us warm when it’s cold, but keeps us cool when we are working up a sweat later in the day. The no-cotton rule applies to shirts just as it does for pants and other articles of clothing.
Our preferred hiking shirt in the summer is Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoody because of its UPF sun protection qualities and lightweight (4oz.) breathable construction. The shirt has a hood for added neck protection and has thumbholes to protect your hands from sun exposure, if you opt to not wear sun gloves. Outdoor Research also makes different varieties of the Echo shirt (e.g., quarter zip, long sleeve without hood, t-shirt, etc.) if you prefer another style.
Insulated Jacket
The Arc’teryx Atom is easily our favorite insulated jacket. Yes, there may be lighter weight alternatives on the market, but we love the style, fit, packability, and function. Wear the Atom during early morning starts or when you reach the mountain summit. It’s a great addition to an outdoors wardrobe and comes in handy when the temperature dips.
Hiking Socks
For most of our hiking needs, we like Darn Tough socks over the multitude of options on the market. They last long and have an ironclad guarantee. In addition, Darn Tough has a variety of designs, ankle lengths, and cushioning options to choose from. We like the Hiker quarter length with light cushioning.
Headwear/Face Covering
We often wear a Buff as a neck gaiter to protect from the sun, given its UPF 50 protective construction. Buffs are also a great option to use as a face covering on the trail. In fact, there are 12+ ways of wearing a Buff, so it’s a versatile piece of gear.
Day Pack
To summit Mount Sniktau, we like Deuter’s Speed Lite 20L for its lightweight design and versatility. This pack has enough storage for a day hike and comes with ample compartments to aid in equipment/content organization. In addition, side pockets are available to store Nalgene bottles or other equipment, but it also is hydration reservoir compatible. We think the 20L version has the perfect capacity, though Deuter does make smaller and larger sizes.
Trekking Poles
Although trekking poles are optional and a matter of preference, we prefer to use them for added stability. We recommend choosing the lightest weight poles your budget can afford. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is our top choice due to its extremely lightweight construction. Our comprehensive review can be found here. If you are seeking just one pole, rather than two, consider Gossamer Gear’s LT5, which can be purchased individually.
Helmet
There are plenty of good, versatile helmets in the market place, but we favor Petzl’s helmets for mixed use – mountaineering, climbing, etc. Plus, Petzl is known for making high quality climbing equipment and is a brand we trust with such a vital piece of safety gear. The Petzl Sirocco is our go-to option for its comfort and design, but Petzl has a wide array of quality helmets at various price points.
Recommended Books
We recommend bringing along a topographical map of the area, such as the “National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Idaho Springs and Loveland Pass.” You’ll be able to see US-6 W on most of this hike, but a good topo map is always nice to have in addition to a GPS device, if you’re using one. In addition, we included a couple of our favorite field guides for plant and bird identification to aid in the enjoyment your outdoor adventure. Lastly, we included Gerry Roach’s “Colorado Thirteeners: From Hikes to Climbs” guidebook, which does not cover Mount Sniktau specifically, but does provide an amazing amount of information on other 13er hikes in Colorado that may be of interest.
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