Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
After arriving from Kansas City on Sunday, I decided to warm up with the "easy" Mt. Sniktau from Loveland Pass. Leaving Dillon around 6am, I made it to the pass at 6:20, just in time for a beautiful sunrise over the ridge.
The first mile of the trail is steep and wide, where the masses from the Pass have helped carve little mini-switchbacks. The first sub-peak, Point 12,915, offers a nice breather and opens up views to Torreys and Grizzly Peak.
From here, swing northward and follow a well-defined trail towards the false summit. The trail narrows substantially as many casual hikers seem to stop at 12,915, even though the remaining hike is easy by comparison to the first leg. After a slight dip in elevation, the false summit of Point 13,152 is an easy half-mile hike.
After cracking 13k feet, the temperature dropped dramatically and the winds picked up. A quick break at a small wind shelter allowed me to change jackets and snack on a Clif bar, fueling up for the last half-mile to the summit.
The gentle ridge and saddle provided great views to the east and west, especially down to a tarn and into Kearney Gulch. From the summit, even on this overcast day, a huge number of peaks are visible. Torreys, Grays, Longs, Evans, Holy Cross, Quandary, and the Lincoln group highlight the high peaks.
The trip up was slow, taking almost 2.5 hours. I highly recommend more than 18 hours of acclimation if you‘re heading in from the plains, but this hike is a great chance to get altitude and see Colorado from a great vantage point!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
