Today’s hike is my 26th hike of 2018, so I am excited to hit the halfway point of the 52 Hike Challenge and before today, the highest I had been this year was a little over 11,700 feet on Chief Mountain.  At 13,000 feet the air is 62% the density it is at sea level; It is also dry and today it was windy. This is my first 13er of the year and the first time I have been above 13,000 feet since I summited Quandary Peak in 2006. (Yes I’ve been lazy).

I read several trip reports about this hike and the general consensus was the first part is very steep. Yes, it is very steep and you follow it until Point 12915. Which I assume is the altitude of the peak and from here the trail goes to the right to Grizzly Peak and Mount Sniktau to the left. As we were hiking up to Point 12915, the wind was at our back and it wasn’t too bad but once we reached that point the wind was noticeably stronger and colder. Fortunately, there are rock cropping windbreak shelters, so we put on our jackets. From there you can see what appears to be the summit but it is only a false summit, Point 13152.

The hike to Point 13152 is a lot easier than the beginning of the hike which was much appreciated. Once reaching Point 13152, which is about two-thirds of the way, we could see the summit of Mount Sniktau.  From here the saddle descends slightly below 13,000 feet before starting up again. The final summit push is steep like the beginning of the hike. From the summit, we enjoyed great views of the Front Range, including Grays Peak and Torreys, and I believe we could even see Longs Peak off in the distance. We took some photos and began our descent. This is my son’s first 13er and I am proud of him.