Square Top Mountain Trip Report 05/02/2014

Peak(s):	Square Top Mountain - 13,799 feet
Date Posted:	05/02/2014
Date Climbed:	04/30/2014
Author:	killingcokes

Finding a big line
Headed up for an adventure on Wednesday. The weather wasn't looking too promising when we were on our way up but you never know until you go. We drove up 285 to the turn for Guanella in Grant and made our way up to the Geneva Creek turn. This is the usual winter closure. The last time I was here I was able to get my truck up about a half mile before I got stuck, in the dark, while alone. I was able to dig myself out that time but didn't bother going back up in the morning as some things came up that I needed to take care of. This time however we decided to go for it. We left Jerome's truck at the turn and Kevin and Jerome piled into my truck. We almost made it to the first switchback where the hiker's trail to Geneva Basin leaves the road. We made good time to the base of the lift then headed up the ski run to the top of the area. We decided to ski a lap at the area then head back up and go for Square Top and just see what the weather was doing. It seemed like the clouds didn't have enough energy to make it over the divide and we were just far enough east to get some viz. The skiing at Geneva was surprisingly good even though they didn't get that much snow. At the bottom we headed back up our skin track and then up the Southeast Ridge of Square Top. This is a lot further than it looks and clocks in at 2100 and 2.3 miles from the top lift pylon. The going however is pretty gentle and ... more words and pics here Geneva Basin - Square Top Mountain 13,794 Smelter Basin - 4/30/2014 The ascent from Geneva Basin Ski Area Smelter Basin Sullivan Decent conditions Fun Terrain

Finding a big line

Headed up for an adventure on Wednesday. The weather wasn't looking too promising when we were on our way up but you never know until you go. We drove up 285 to the turn for Guanella in Grant and made our way up to the Geneva Creek turn. This is the usual winter closure. The last time I was here I was able to get my truck up about a half mile before I got stuck, in the dark, while alone. I was able to dig myself out that time but didn't bother going back up in the morning as some things came up that I needed to take care of. This time however we decided to go for it. We left Jerome's truck at the turn and Kevin and Jerome piled into my truck. We almost made it to the first switchback where the hiker's trail to Geneva Basin leaves the road.

We made good time to the base of the lift then headed up the ski run to the top of the area. We decided to ski a lap at the area then head back up and go for Square Top and just see what the weather was doing. It seemed like the clouds didn't have enough energy to make it over the divide and we were just far enough east to get some viz. The skiing at Geneva was surprisingly good even though they didn't get that much snow. At the bottom we headed back up our skin track and then up the Southeast Ridge of Square Top. This is a lot further than it looks and clocks in at 2100 and 2.3 miles from the top lift pylon. The going however is pretty gentle and ... more words and pics here Geneva Basin - Square Top Mountain 13,794 Smelter Basin - 4/30/2014

The ascent from Geneva Basin Ski Area

Smelter Basin

Sullivan

Decent conditions

Fun Terrain

Comments or Questions

GerryRigged

Square Top
5/3/2014 2:44am

So many lines to ski so little time.

Looks like a good time was had.

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