The Niwot Ridge is not the easiest route to find beta on, but it is awesome. Several tricky spots that do not exceed Class 4, and some challenging route finding, but solid rock, grippy holds abound, and stellar views. Hit Navajo via the chimney. Descended Airplane Gully. Niwot Mountain appears to be a broad hump, easily “summitted” but give the ridge to Navajo a try.
rkymtn - Oct 1, 2014 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2014
From Lefthand Reservoir
Peakbug and I made the ascent after a detour along the shoreline to look for moose. This was an easy climb, but it provided some great views and some fun bushwhacking on the descent.
Hiked around the reservoir to the west side and headed up to the ridge (after heading that way to see a momma and baby moose in the area...missed them, but saw lots of moose prints). Enjoyed taking the ridge to extend the day and soaking up the amazing views of the Indian Peaks.
Senad Rizvanovic - Feb 12, 2012 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2011
Nice day...
Nice snowshoewing trip from winter closure, great view of most Indian Peaks,
thatnissanguy - Dec 18, 2010 8:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2010
linked to Navajo Peak
Fun hike, had been here earlier in the season, but turned back due to high winds. This time went all the way to Navajo but missed the descent chimney to Apache. Guess I'll have to come back another time!
Kapelmuur - Jan 30, 2010 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 30, 2010
Good weather, not too much snow
Climbed the NE ridge past the mine. Got lucky with moderate temps and sunny skies with only light clouds. Hardly any wind at all until summit where there was a steady cold-ish breeze. Very light snow cover on the tundra.
BigCountry - Feb 6, 2009 5:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 6, 2009
"Winter" ascent
I took my snowshoes but did not need them. The only thing that felt winter about this climb was the wind on the summit.
SarahThompson - Oct 8, 2008 10:45 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
From Lefthand Res
1/15/06 - Climbed from Brainard Lake winter closure. Brutal, windy day.
9/29/07 - Climbed at night from Lefthand Res. I swear that's all I climbed that night ;)
MattK - May 1, 2008 8:24 am Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2008
Great views!
Wife, dog and I.
Kruck - Feb 16, 2008 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2008
Wind and Snow
Hit a good window. Visibility went to pot shortly after we finished our descent. We could see the wave come from the north, however, and knew we had time to work with. Straight winds were severe with gusts ranging to brutal. With XC ski poles, we could duck our heads and stick to the ground when needed. A nice ski approach to a mild climb using the old mine road that took us to the ridge. Beautiful views, if you can keep your breath in the wind looking north.
heather14 - Dec 29, 2007 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2007
Postholing Nightmare!
I was prepared for the 60-70mph wind gusts, but I wasn't prepared to posthole thigh deep through the trees....with snowshoes on! Is there an actual trail up this mountain?
Mountain Jim - Dec 19, 2006 3:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 1987
Standard Route
Nice summit view of the higher Indian Peaks.
Total ascents = 3.
Pretty boring mountain overall. Would have been better if the skies were clear, but most of the time it was snowing at higher elevations and hiding the views of the higher peaks. After the summit, hiked along Niwot Ridge to Point 11,557 and then found another way down.
belexes - Jan 14, 2006 2:50 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2003
Northern Slopes
I snowshoed this with the Colorado Mountain Club. There was still a lot of snow up there, from a snowstorm the previous night (only in Colorado!), as well as from the Blizzard of 2003. The snow thinned out as we neared the summit, so we took off our snowshoes for the last part of the hike. The plains were still socked in, but the sky was clear at the summit, though it was very windy and cold up there.
BradBartick - Jul 8, 2021 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2021
Navajo via Niwot RidgeThe Niwot Ridge is not the easiest route to find beta on, but it is awesome. Several tricky spots that do not exceed Class 4, and some challenging route finding, but solid rock, grippy holds abound, and stellar views. Hit Navajo via the chimney. Descended Airplane Gully. Niwot Mountain appears to be a broad hump, easily “summitted” but give the ridge to Navajo a try.
rkymtn - Oct 1, 2014 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2014
From Lefthand ReservoirPeakbug and I made the ascent after a detour along the shoreline to look for moose. This was an easy climb, but it provided some great views and some fun bushwhacking on the descent.
Peakbug - Sep 14, 2014 5:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2014
NiwotHiked around the reservoir to the west side and headed up to the ridge (after heading that way to see a momma and baby moose in the area...missed them, but saw lots of moose prints). Enjoyed taking the ridge to extend the day and soaking up the amazing views of the Indian Peaks.
Senad Rizvanovic - Feb 12, 2012 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2011
Nice day...Nice snowshoewing trip from winter closure, great view of most Indian Peaks,
thatnissanguy - Dec 18, 2010 8:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2010
linked to Navajo PeakFun hike, had been here earlier in the season, but turned back due to high winds. This time went all the way to Navajo but missed the descent chimney to Apache. Guess I'll have to come back another time!
Kapelmuur - Jan 30, 2010 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jan 30, 2010
Good weather, not too much snowClimbed the NE ridge past the mine. Got lucky with moderate temps and sunny skies with only light clouds. Hardly any wind at all until summit where there was a steady cold-ish breeze. Very light snow cover on the tundra.
BigCountry - Feb 6, 2009 5:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 6, 2009
"Winter" ascentI took my snowshoes but did not need them. The only thing that felt winter about this climb was the wind on the summit.
SarahThompson - Oct 8, 2008 10:45 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
From Lefthand Res1/15/06 - Climbed from Brainard Lake winter closure. Brutal, windy day.
9/29/07 - Climbed at night from Lefthand Res. I swear that's all I climbed that night ;)
MattK - May 1, 2008 8:24 am Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2008
Great views!Wife, dog and I.
Kruck - Feb 16, 2008 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2008
Wind and SnowHit a good window. Visibility went to pot shortly after we finished our descent. We could see the wave come from the north, however, and knew we had time to work with. Straight winds were severe with gusts ranging to brutal. With XC ski poles, we could duck our heads and stick to the ground when needed. A nice ski approach to a mild climb using the old mine road that took us to the ridge. Beautiful views, if you can keep your breath in the wind looking north.
heather14 - Dec 29, 2007 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2007
Postholing Nightmare!I was prepared for the 60-70mph wind gusts, but I wasn't prepared to posthole thigh deep through the trees....with snowshoes on! Is there an actual trail up this mountain?
Mountain Jim - Dec 19, 2006 3:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 1987
Standard RouteNice summit view of the higher Indian Peaks.
Total ascents = 3.
royswkr - Sep 25, 2006 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 1999
Wander up ridge looking for section corners.
Brian Kalet - Jun 7, 2006 3:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2006
East Face (ascent); Northern Slopes (descent)En route to Point 11,557.
Brad Snider - Apr 2, 2006 12:21 am
North Slopes PostholePretty boring mountain overall. Would have been better if the skies were clear, but most of the time it was snowing at higher elevations and hiding the views of the higher peaks. After the summit, hiked along Niwot Ridge to Point 11,557 and then found another way down.
belexes - Jan 14, 2006 2:50 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2003
Northern SlopesI snowshoed this with the Colorado Mountain Club. There was still a lot of snow up there, from a snowstorm the previous night (only in Colorado!), as well as from the Blizzard of 2003. The snow thinned out as we neared the summit, so we took off our snowshoes for the last part of the hike. The plains were still socked in, but the sky was clear at the summit, though it was very windy and cold up there.