The route most commonly used to climb Snowmass Mountain is the
Snowmass Creek approach. The route to the summit starts at Snowmass Lake, which is itself an hike up Snowmass Creek from the parking area. Most people hike to the lake, camp the night and then proceed to the top. This route is recommended in the spring and early summer when the snowfield still covers much of the route; however an ice axe and crampons are recommended for travel on the snowfield. Later in the summer there is more travel on talus (
scree) and more danger from
rockfall. An alternative in snow-free conditions is to hike up to the saddle between the peak and
Hagerman Peak. From that point there are climbers' trails which proceed on the opposite (west) side of the ridge to the summit. A different and much less used route climbs the west side of Snowmass Mountain from
Geneva Lake, which is accessed from the North Fork of the
Crystal River. ==Climate==