"The Unicorn"

Route: Summit, The Unicorn, Montezuma (clockwise)
Posted On: 6/8/2025, By: cloudkicker
Info: Some snowfields remain mainly below Summit Peak and on that side of the loop. So we took Kwhit’s gpx from their Orphans of Conejo County TR and reversed the route so that we could deal with the snow earlier in the day. Many of the south to north CDT hikers are entering Colorado this week and so the main snowfields along the CDT were already booted out, making the traverses easy. I wore spikes for about 15min today, depending on your comfort level you could do the whole thing without. Some postholes but not too bad. The summit pushes themselves were all dry and full summer conditions. I attached pics of the upper routes as zoomed from Conejos summit yesterday. The summit register Kiefer and Regina left on Montezuma in 2022 is still in great shape. Neither of the other peaks have visible summit register. 

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: from Summit
Posted On: 7/5/2023, By: SnowAlien
Info: Very straightforward tundra stroll from the saddle with Summit. Register in good shape. For the descent, I got a sick glissade and boot ski (had to remember how to do it), GPS said 10 mph. Smooth snow. 

Route: Southeast Ridge from Summit Peak via CDT
Posted On: 6/1/2022, By: supranihilest
Info: Taking the CDT under Summit Peak's north face there's still tons of snow but there's a boot pack across it and traction isn't needed. Some further snow and mud along the trail. The entire peak itself is dry, upper part is a bit loose. Like HikerGuy I crossed over to the lower summit, went down the north ridge, and just before the large cornice dropped east down short, extremely loose Class 3 ledges to extremely loose talus/dirt/scree and hardpan. Going back down the southeast ridge to the CDT is probably easier. No snow gear needed. 

Route: Southeast Ridge via Summit Peak/CDT
Posted On: 5/29/2022, By: HikerGuy
Info: Took CDT from Summit Peak to the base of "The Unicorn". Ascended southeast ridge, no snow. Descended over 12,969. There was a cornice on the lower part of the ridge. Instead of gearing up to cross, I descended east off the ridge and then on the Montezuma saddle. Many options here, but nothing of concern. 

Route: Treasure Creek
Posted On: 6/20/2021, By: hr011242
Info: Combined with Summit and Montezuma. Order of ops was Summit > Unicorn > Montezuma, but I think it would be even easier to do the route in reverse to get a good eye on the CDT. Snow covered much of the CDT above 11,700 ft but the route is still very easy to follow. Didn't use traction; I just like to carry it everywhere for fun. Also as a side note, Elwood Pass is INSANE. I think I was so tired from the last week of biking that I took an unintended route in that my 4Runner had no business being on. She did great and I managed not to kill her, but if you like your stock 4WD vehicle, avoid that road.