Snoopy's Backside Couloir in June
Snoopy’s Backside Couloir Guide

Snoopy’s Backside Couloir Guide

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Snoopy’s backside is a Northeast  facing couloir on the 13er, the Citadel located in the Front Range of Colorado. This snow climb or ski line requires about a 3.5 mile approach and then ends in a 1,100ft climb to the shoulder, just North of the Citadel’s summit, 13,294ft. The rating of this line is a D8 with the crux right around 40 degrees in steepness. Snoopy’s Backside couloir typically lasts until early June, depending on the snow season from the previous Winter. This line can be accessed from two different ways (Butler Gulch and Herman Gulch) but  this guide will focus on the Herman Gulch approach.

Snoopy's Backside Couloir Approach
Look at the approach on a high snow year.

Snoopy’s Backside Couloir Quick Facts

Virtual Trail Guide: Snoopy’s Backside Couloir

Snoopy’s Backside Couloir (The Citadel) Rating: ★★★★ (4/5 Stars)

Distance: 8-9 Miles RT (depending on snow level and route finding)

Elevation Start: 10,300ft (Herman Gulch TH)

Summit: 13,294ft (About 50ft lower if you do not summit) 

Total Elevation Gain: 3,100ft

Estimated Time to Complete: 5-7 Hours (Depending on snow conditions)

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (depending on snow levels) What does this mean?

Class: Class 4, this only applies if you decide to summit which requires one Class 4 move – What does this mean?

Season: February – May (This approach generally melts out fairly quickly)

Check the Weather Forecast

Avalanche Risk: Snoopy’s Backside Couloir on The Citadel present a large avalanche risk, even in spring months. Due to the complicated nature of the terrain, please understand the conditions and risks before heading out. 

Snow Climb Grade: Grade II, D8 40-45 degrees – What does this mean?

Snoopy's Backside Couloir May of an Average Snow Year
View of the Citadel and Line in May of an Average snow year.

Directions to Snoopy’s Backside Couloir

Trailhead: Herman Gulch

Getting Here: From I70, travel to exit 218 just East of Loveland Pass and Loveland Ski area. Exit the highway and find the long parking area with the trailhead located right in the middle of the parking lot.

Parking: The parking lot for Herman Gulch is massive and since you are doing a snow climb or ski descent, you should be starting early and parking will not be an issue. As of 2026, there are no restrooms at the trailhead. 

Fees: None

Climbing Snoopy's Backside Couloir

Summary

Camping: Camping for Snoopy’s Backside is non-existent unless: you want to sleep in your car at the trailhead (always sort of a risk as its not technically allowed) or travel about 2 miles up the trail to find level camping in the basin. 

Dogs: I never recommend bringing a dog up any couloir or snow climb.  

Make it a Loop: The most popular way to extend your day on this line would be to do one of the following:

  1. Climb Snoopy’s backside and then descend the south facing line (Snoopy’s Collar) then re-climb and exit down Snoopy’s Backside couloir. 
  2. Climb and ride Snoopy’s Backside and then get some more laps on the nearby Northern facing bowl on The Citadel.

Trail X Factor: Approach/Exit

The approach could probably be the X Factor on every single ski line that I have on this site (or exists in general). Herman Gulch is much lower in elevation and exposed to the sun so the first 2 miles will melt out (or just not keep snow) as the Spring progresses. I have approached this line three times, in three different months and each approach has required hiking for at least a half mile before popping on the skins.

Obviously, it’s the same route as the way in but when you are heading back to the car, try to follow the creek as long as you can as this will save you lots of bushwacking, postholing and will allow you to ski the most continuous line of snow out. 

Hike Tip(s): Tagging the Summit

After climbing the couloir, if you want to snag the summit of The Citadel, there is a short Class 4 section before the final Class 2 or 3 scramble to the summit. Since this could be covered in snow, I would leave your skis/board at the top of the line but keep your axe and crampons on to make life easier. 

Best Views: This line is fairly beautiful from the time you get up into Herman Gulch to the time you get onto the top of Snoopy’s Backside or the summit of The Citadel.

Riding Snoopy's Backside Couloir

Gear Needed

Snoopy’s Backside Route

Download GPX

*Please note that I approached this on the standard trail longer than you might need to depending on snow coverage.