Santa Fe Peak

Route: Southwest Couloir
Posted On: 4/21/2019, By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Lots of snow on Santa Fe. Starting at the end of the Montezuma road, walked to the start of the Webster Pass road and skinned to the summit from there. Then skied the SW couloir. Variable conditions - sastrugi, corn, powder, but good coverage. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 12/31/2018, By: dolfh
Info: The road to Montezuma was essentially dry. I noticed a small public parking area at the beginning of the Santa Fe Peak road (264). The Santa Fe Peak road is snow-covered, but firm from snowmobile traffic up to 11,400 feet. Above 11,400 feet the road soon disappears under a broad, far-reaching snow slope. The switchbacking road is visible again at around 12,000 feet. I left the road at 11,400 feet and started up directly towards Morgan Peak. The slope averaged 20 degrees and steepens to 30 degrees near the peak. The footing was decent in snowshoes. The snow cover was trivial from Morgan Peak on ahead to Santa Fe Peak. 

Route: North Slopes via TipTop & Morgan Peaks
Posted On: 6/18/2017, By: majtytom
Info: Basically dry. A snowfield needed to be crossed between TipTop and Morgan Peaks and there was was snow accumulated in switchbacks of the 4WD road (avoidable) from the saddle between Morgan and Santa Fe Peaks. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 6/21/2016, By: JROSKA
Info: Hiked to the summit today. A 30-foot snow field still covers the road just past the left turn at the upper road junction. However, this can easily be avoided by walking around, or using going the other way at the junction. Summer conditions on this 13er. If anyone brings a dog up here, be mindful of the nasty cornice just off the road, not far below the junction. (2nd and 3rd pictures) Any venturing onto that snow would certainly include some risk of tumbling down quite a ways. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 6/20/2016, By: Paula
Info: A couple avoidable snow patches between 11,600' and 13,000. The snow that is left is soft and guaranteed postholing, but won't be around much longer. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 6/13/2016, By: mike14
Info: Only a few snow fields to cross. Some post holing around 12.6, otherwise easily avoidable. No snowshoes required. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 7/10/2015, By: timf
Info: I was there on 7/4 and while the western approach from Montezuma is free and clear of snow, the northern saddle between Santa Fe and Morgan Peak had some snow on the east side. 

Route: Santa Fe, Sullivan, Geneva, Landslide Loop
Posted On: 9/27/2014, By: awake
Info: Completely clear of snow. Great time to hike. Nice fall colors on Loveland Pass and Webster Pass. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 11/29/2012, By: IHikeLikeAGirl
Info: Santa Fe Rd was packed down by a few vehicles (including Mr. Middlebrook's) quite a ways up. One brave soul made tracks up to ~12,000 ft. Beyond that, snow was mid shin deep on the road. Negligible snow off the road. Ridge was dry, with a smattering of small patches. Dry to knee deep, sugary, snow in the trees, west of Geneva Peak. Carried an ice axe, micro spikes, and gaitors. Didn't use any of them. Could have used the gaitors, but did not seem worth the effort for the short sections of snow. VERY icy in the willows getting to the creek. The creek was well iced over too. Micro spikes would behoove one there, but we did not put them on. Was able to find paths across the ice on weeds protruding through, but still fell. Micro spikes would have made it far less tedious and more efficient to cross. Probably too late for pics, but to give you an idea. Pic #1 - Road below treeline was either dry or like this and had an awesome dog named, Lucy. Bring healthy dog treats for her please. Pic #2 - Tire tracks at ~12K Pic #3 - Ridge pretty much was dry Pic #4 - Icy Willows. Doesn‘t look like much, but it was pretty much an ice rink with willows and weeds poking through. Tedious to cross. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 11/21/2012, By: jonandmalia
Info: Road to ridgeline had knee deep snow in several sections. Took our Jeep to 11k since we still wanted to get a little bit of a hike in. On ridgeline it was great conditions. No need for gaiters on ridge. Awesome views!