Hassell Peak

• mileage: 8.18
• elevation gain: 3,035'
• trailhead: Jones Pass Winter closure
• partners: Brad & Keenan

I had been trying to get out to Aspen to ski with Brad for a few months now, but between schedules and weather, things didn't work before the lifts closed and slack country was made harder. I knew his wish list included Hassell peak and with the recent snow, figured this would be a good peak for the day when the snow stopped falling and the sun came out. Good thing someone else suggested the same peak at the same time!

We started around sunrise from the winter trailhead for the familiar backcountry zone. It's a quick skin up to the ridge where we got our first views of the caked east face of Hassell and neighbors. From skiing Loveland the previous 2 days, I had a good idea of conditions, just a little bit down the ridge to the north.

From getting up onto the ridge, the wind picked up a bit and that's where I realized I left my shell in the car, so only a puffy with my lower layers today. Let's hope it doesn't get too bad!

We skinned along the ridge or just below to the south until I figured the split boarders wouldn't get traction anymore. From there, I let them lead the booter to the ridge, since I had broke the skin track to this point. Because of all the side hilling, the ridge felt a bit longer than before. Last time I just booted up, since there wasn't snow last season late in May. Thankfully the booter up to the ridge wasn't too bad, especially being third in line.

Once on the ridge, we followed the summer trail up to the summit. I had kind of forgot about that part. We may have been able to skin along the cornice, but then we'd be in the wind and on a cornice. There was just enough snow along the ridge, it was a bit more challenging than last time. Since I brought crampons, I led and put in the booter.

We got to the summit around noon and the snow was still pretty cold thanks to the wind. Some great views with the building clouds.

I had originally thought to ski the safe line off Hassell, but the steeper line(s) were ever so tempting. With every step on the uphill Brad and I were looking at the snow. I had reasonable confidence that the lower new snow was bonding well with the old surface, but was less confident near the summit with the winds. We didn't have a great zone to test, so we all decided that skiing the safe line was more than ok. We'd be skiing powder either way!

I led down the ridge to grab photos. The snow felt pretty good, even if near to the ridge crest the new snow was a bit thinner.

The drop off the ridge was a bit steeper and therefore lots more fun! Snow was still holding up well, and hadn't really warmed up too much.

From the upper basin, we had the last steep drop before traversing over to the ridge, to reclimb and descend the other side. Being a skier I could stop midway for photos, as the boarders beelined it to the other side.

From the ridge, we had another nice little drop before the flat valley exit to the trees. In the basin I led out the first section, before a bit of leap frog and getting to the end of the snowboarder trap valley.

Once down in the trees and out of the wind and sun, we found a nice spot for a break, before the final nordic exit. I hadn't skied this zone with snowboarders before, so I got to see how difficult the flat exit was with numerous little uphills. All those areas I either skated or stomped up, were a bit more difficult for them.

The snow machine waves on the exit were a lot more fun than I thought at the start. I was squealing with delight as I was using it as a pump track. The look of amusement on a lady snowshoer showed how much I was enjoying it, as I passed her.

Quite a wonderful day out on really good snow with new and old friends! This might be another frequent repeat ski on my list. There are a few nearby peaks that are just fun to do, with multiple options to make it new, and this is one!