7/9/2023 Route: North Couloir Posted On: 7/9/2023, By: 9patrickmurphy Info: Skiing is still possible in the San Juans if you want it. We eyed up this line from Bonita on Friday (great ski day, thanks Vera!!!) and decided to give it a go. We started from some mine junk at a switchback in Minnehaha Basin (subaruable). Maybe a half mile approach to the snow, climbing conditions were excellent. Snow to within 50' or so of the summit. Despite how inset this couloir is, it's suncupped to hell so we decided against skiing it in favor of snow on the peak's NW shoulder that was more in the sun. This was quite steep, and there was a problematic rocky choke. We got through it fine and then enjoyed some lovely corn back into the basin. Really quick day. I can also highly recommend Bonita from Ross Basin, and Brown Mountain A from Hurricane Pass (not subaruable) has got to be the quickest, easiest ski I've ever done. Great time. |
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5/16/2023 Route: North couloir Posted On: 5/17/2023, By: Sbenfield Info: Thank you to SnowAlien, CheapCigarMan, and Tony1 (and anyone else I missed!) for putting this route on the radar. Started from Gladstone site, didnt use snowshoes. Better freeze than expected. Crampons/axe in the Couloir. We made a loop down the south ridge and up and over the west ridge to rejoin the road |
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5/6/2023 Route: North Couloir Posted On: 5/8/2023, By: Tony1 Info: Great snow coverage from the road split above the Gladstone plant, up into Minnehaha Gulch, and through the couloir to the summit. Only the last 10 vertical feet to the summit was dry with loose scree and talus. Snow conditions in the couloir were very firm and good for climbing, not so much for skiing. Snow didn't soften much above the 12,000' level even with the strong sun in this period of cooler weather. Route will probably stay in for quite a while and CR 51 has a ways to go before it starts melting, assuming it doesn't get plowed eventually. It will be a good spring climb & ski descent with seasonal or warmer weather. |
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4/29/2023 Route: North Couloir Posted On: 4/30/2023, By: CheapCigarMan Info: Road clear and dry all the way to the Gladstone TH. Bluebird day with no wind and warm. Three snowmobilers broke the serenity. Later, a rockslide fell behind our path as we were ascending to the couloir's entrance. Osprey and I punched through 1" - 3" on the ascent before donning our snowshoes. Crampons in the couloir. Glissaded down. Snowshoes back to TH. Absolutely stunningly beautiful area. |
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4/23/2023 Route: North couloir from Minnehaha basin Posted On: 4/24/2023, By: SnowAlien Info: Approached via Minnehaha creek/gulch following snowmobile tracks, and skied North couloir/gully in powder conditions. Continuous snow starts about 5 ft below the summit. Register in a glass jar stayed dry through the winter. |
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8/27/2020 Route: Slagle Basin from South Fork Animas River Posted On: 8/27/2020, By: supranihilest Info: From Silverton take CR2 to CR25, then take the left, lower split on CR25 to the trailhead. 4WD not necessarily required, but high clearance required. From the trailhead take the trail up the creek and cross the creek on a small, three log bridge part way up. Continue on the trail as it fades in and out for a bit, and when you're below Slagle Basin (the big, grassy basin to your right) cross the creek again and simply hike up the basin, which is mostly low angle grass. The final ascent to the summit is steep and loose no matter how you do it. The summit block is overhanging and rotten but walk around the backside for a Class 2 easy way up. Reverse your route to the trailhead. |
