Conditions and winter walks/scrambles mid-Jan

Hi,

Will have a spare day in Denver with my wife in mid Jan. Looking for ideas for a winter snow plod or easy scramble in the area, preferably to a peak or some kind of view.

No experience of the area or local conditions, or road access, so no idea how buried everything is likely to be or even what the local parks are like. Obviously any plans would be subject to weather and snow/avalanche conditions. 

We’ll have crampons and axes (and can bring a rope and alpine rack if needed) but no snowshoes or skis.

We’re staying on the western outskirts of Denver so RMNP is an option but somewhere closer works too.

Any recommendations?

Without flotation, and avalanche gear and training, your options are quite limited if you truly want to reach a high peak. Mt Flora might be a good option for you. The trail from Berthoud Pass has a West aspect and gets fairly wind scoured, so it should be relatively safe, and the lower portion gets enough traffic that it should be passable in boots. Nonetheless, pay attention to weather and avalanche conditions before you go.

Jonathan Swrote:

Without flotation, and avalanche gear and training, your options are quite limited if you truly want to reach a high peak. Mt Flora might be a good option for you. The trail from Berthoud Pass has a West aspect and gets fairly wind scoured, so it should be relatively safe, and the lower portion gets enough traffic that it should be passable in boots. Nonetheless, pay attention to weather and avalanche conditions before you go.

I’m not familiar with the area, but I am sure you can find up-to-date avalanche observations and forecast online when you are there. You definitely want to be aware of overhead avalanche risk even when hiking down low.

Mt. Snictau is an easy hike from the summit of Loveland Pass.  3.7 miles RT with 1800 foot elevation gain. Loveland Pass is a short drive on I-70 from Denver.  You will need only microspikes and trekking poles.
The area is wind scoured which prevents snow buildup and the route is on a ridge so there is no avalanche danger. It is a popular winter climb. You will see many other people in the area. 
The winds can be brutal in winter with severe wind chill.  Be prepared with balaclava and ski goggles. 

Was also gonna mention sniktau and/or Cupid from Loveland pass

Thanks all!

You can do many hikes in the Bear Lake corridor of RMNP without flotation, if it hasn't snowed in the two or three days before you go. This is particularly the case if you can go on a Sunday or Monday so that the Saturday/weekend crowds have stomped out the trails. The Loch is usually readily accessible. You can also often get to Spy Pond/Lake of Glass without flotation, and I have been to Black Lake (and beyond) without flotation--but the last 1/4 mile or so might involve some postholing.

Microspikes and maybe gaiters recommended.  

Hunble as this is, you could do worse than Bear Peak in the Flatirons, in Boulder. It's a climb of something like 3000 vertical feet; is a second-class trail through typical mountain forest unit the short and entertaining scramble to an exposed summit; can be made into a pleasant loop; can be combined with South Boulder Peak if you want more; will be snowy and reward micro spikes; and has lovely views of both Long's Peak and the Indian Peaks.  The only drawback is that it isn't especially remote, insofar as you can look down and see Boulder, and Denver in the distance, to the east, but it won't be excessively busy on a January weekday, and the upside is that you can access it from the edge of a significant city not far from Denver.  I would say this option has a high ratio of investment to yield.

Wonderful, thank you!