Yale via Denny Creek TH in Winter?

[Svenski Norski]

Does anyone have any ideas about the avvy safety, or lack of, by this route? I may go up to treeline soon to scope it out...

[Monster5]

I agree with above that Avalanche Gulch is safer and one must cross the very terminus of one runout zone as well as a a fairly low hazard path via Denny.

However, if the road is open, the avy danger on the rebuilt standard route is easy to avoid/assess and generally pretty safe this time of year. Also makes for a quicker route, sans trench poach.

I would not recommend short-cutting the section around treeline where the trail continues north through trees next to a smaller drainage (slog) prior to heading south. Short-cutting this section in the tree-less area (old trail/road in a slide path) would put you in avy terrain. The small drainage can also slide with significant accumulation. The rib above treeline is wind blown to the blocky talus summit push.

Basically, follow the new route mapped on this site. Naturally, use your own map reading and your own assessments and all that good stuff. An experienced party with good avy observation skills should be able to do this route, or near to it, safely in all but extreme conditions.

I also think the south ridge via Mascot would be fine. One questionable slope around treeline on Mascot. Bit of a narcissistic leg burner route though.

[fakejox]

I've also heard that avalanche gulch is the way to go in winter. I bailed on the Denny Creek approach last January due to some sketch slide potential just below treeline…

[forbins_mtn]

Avalanche gulch is definitely the way to go. It's on my list for this winter and have been staring at it for a while. Hit me up if you think about bagging come January

[Svenski Norski]

Thanks for all the beta-
I'm likin' this Avalanche gulch idea, now that I see the map. I guess the name threw me.
Saves a couple miles of icy road, too.
Got some unfinished business with Simmons Peak (12,050') and then I might head up.
Happy trails-
Drew

[Exiled Michigander]

Avalanche Gulch is avvy-savvy? I've never considered that route for winter. Don't some pretty massive cornices build up between Yale and Mascot? Anyway, that's an interesting winter route I hadn't heard of before.

You could also consider the east ridge. I always assumed that was the safest winter route on Yale, and it's a lot of fun.

[rijaca]

Avalanche Gulch is avvy-savvy? I've never considered that route for winter. Don't some pretty massive cornices build up between Yale and Mascot? Anyway, that's an interesting winter route I hadn't heard of before.

You could also consider the east ridge. I always assumed that was the safest winter route on Yale, and it's a lot of fun.

I think all the previous references to the Avalanche Gulch route actually mean the east ridge route using the Avalanche Gulch TH.

[Exiled Michigander]

Avalanche Gulch is avvy-savvy? I've never considered that route for winter. Don't some pretty massive cornices build up between Yale and Mascot? Anyway, that's an interesting winter route I hadn't heard of before.

You could also consider the east ridge. I always assumed that was the safest winter route on Yale, and it's a lot of fun.

I think all the previous references to the Avalanche Gulch route actually mean the east ridge route using the Avalanche Gulch TH.

Ahhhh, that makes sense!