Hello,
My partner and I have the opportunity to ski Dead Squirrel Couloir near Half Peak on Sat, 5/17/25, but are curious how filled in it is likely to be --
- One the one hand, a recent Handies conditions report from 5/10/25 suggests there would be plenty of snow in a deep NW-facing couloir in that area.
- But on the other hand, this other recent trip report seems to demonstrate the general thinness of the low-snowpack relative averages for the surrounding basins (42% for Upper Colorado-Dolores, 28% Upper San Juan, 25% Rio Grande, 38% Gunnison). Of course these are averages from Snotel sites over large areas, and there is a lot of micro-variability right now.
Anyone have any insights or thoughts!?!
Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
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Re: Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
Some people I follow on Instagram were skiing in the area this weekend (Wood, Animas Forks Mtn, Cinnamon Mtn) and coverage looked pretty darn good. I'd bet Dead Squirrel is in decent shape also.
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dwoodward13
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Re: Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
Its very hard to pick out a line that narrow on Copernicus, but it seems like it would be in based on snow cover in the area from the sat image collected yesterday.
https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu/
(Use a computer, not mobile for a much better experience)
https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu/
(Use a computer, not mobile for a much better experience)
Re: Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
Went to ski it on 4/22 and it was windstripped bare for at least 500ft of vert, despite a very hopeful ascent. We decided not to attempt a descent, still had an excellent and enjoyable descent on the west aspect. That said I would not be surprised if it was in given the last couple of weeks.
Please post a conditions report if you decide to attempt it, would love to get it done this year.
Good luck!
Please post a conditions report if you decide to attempt it, would love to get it done this year.
Good luck!
Re: Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
Thanks so much for the feedback! There's enough positive evidence to give it a try.
That Copernicus imagery is very nifty -- I'd been meaning to experiment with whatever imagery OnX Premium provides, Maxar / Digital Globe, Planet Labs, etc., but haven't made any of that happen -- so it was nice to use this Copernicus to get at least a free and easy clue care of the European Space Agency.
Will report back!
That Copernicus imagery is very nifty -- I'd been meaning to experiment with whatever imagery OnX Premium provides, Maxar / Digital Globe, Planet Labs, etc., but haven't made any of that happen -- so it was nice to use this Copernicus to get at least a free and easy clue care of the European Space Agency.
Will report back!
Re: Dead Squirrel Couloir Conditions -- Still In?
Well, recommendation is to leave Dead Squirrel for 2026:
Despite decent looking snowpack on the way up and in all the surrounding upper basins:
it seems that things never really improved from what The Alpine Ape reported. Some combo of wind, temps, sun, etc left it worse than one would guess.
Entry was dry, then patchy at best, and the beginning of any snow was super hard-frozen at the surface and sugary underneath (had to use adze to break even at noon).
Still enjoyed a some good turns on the return to Cataract Gulch proper, where afternoon post-holing made for a mentally and physically taxing "obstacle course" of an exit.
Despite decent looking snowpack on the way up and in all the surrounding upper basins:
it seems that things never really improved from what The Alpine Ape reported. Some combo of wind, temps, sun, etc left it worse than one would guess.
Entry was dry, then patchy at best, and the beginning of any snow was super hard-frozen at the surface and sugary underneath (had to use adze to break even at noon).
Still enjoyed a some good turns on the return to Cataract Gulch proper, where afternoon post-holing made for a mentally and physically taxing "obstacle course" of an exit.
