Trip
Ascending Hikes - Skill Building – Sniktau via Loveland Pass
This is a Skill-Builder Ascending Hike open to ALL CMC members WITH PREFERENCE for those for whom these PLACES are new: Loveland Pass and Mt Sniktau. Bonus: test your ability to hike up from 11,800' to 13,220.' If these places are NOT NEW for you, please wait to register until Thursday, September 10, at 6:30pm.
Contacts
- Sat, Sep 12, 2026
- Ascending Hikes Section
- Hiking
- Adults
- Challenging
- Mileage: 3.9 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft
- High Point Elevation: 13,220 ft
- Pace: 1.5 - 1.8
- 9 (9 capacity)
- FULL (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Rated Challenging due to elevation and short distance for climb.
Climbing Sniktau and visiting Loveland Pass is a must-do for all CMC hikers.
We will hike out from Loveland Pass up to the Mt Sniktau summit and back. Along the way we'll point out nearby peaks often combined with Sniktau, along with other places frequently visited by CMC'ers for hiking, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing, and even self-arrest practice.
We will keep up a consistent but moderate pace with stops as needed while experiencing a higher elevation than some may have experienced before, but keeping in mind the symptoms of altitude sickness. So, in sum:
--- We will demonstrate various high altitude hiking techniques such as the rest-step and side-step. Using your poles, etc. Your Ascending Hikes Member Guide can be helpful here.
--- From the Sniktau summit, view the Continental Divide and a number of other places to visit.
--- Talk about cornices and how to stay clear of them.
--- See avalanche chutes.
Robbie Monsma, Durrie Monsma, and Jean Hart are leading a series of Skill-Builder Ascending Hikes this summer, mostly on Saturdays. Good hikes plus some teaching. See our proposed summer schedule, subject to change.
Get used to clicking the Required Equipment button to see contents.
We will meet at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride Section BB (western end across from the Exxon station) at 6:00am to transfer people and equipment, sort carpools, and then a prompt drive-away. The early time is to make sure we get decent parking places and are off the peak before any lightning potential.
We will carpool on I-70 to the last exit before the Eisenhower Tunnel, Exit 216, passing under the freeway to the south side and then up to Loveland Pass. Parking is along the highway.
Required Equipment
10 essentials, hiking poles, sun protection.