Grizzly Peak's N Couloir is one of Colorado's classic ski descents, but the Lincoln Creek approach road isn't usually open all the way until late May or early June, and prime skiing conditions may be over by then. I learnt this the hard way a few years ago, and ever since then I've wondered if one could approach from Graham Gulch, on the E side of Independence Pass. (There's an E side route up McNasser Gulch, but that puts you in the wrong place for skiing the N couloir). I tried the Graham Gulch approach on Memorial Day weekend and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it worked well. It's hard to imagine that no-one else has ever done this, but I couldn't find any trip reports that mention it.

Graham Gulch is the last turnoff on CO-82 before the E side winter closure. There's a parking lot a short distance from the highway, at the Grizzly Reservoir/Twin Lakes water tunnel exit. Starting elevation is about 10,500'. At first you can follow an old road (closed to motor vehicles) that goes roughly parallel to the creek. Look out for a fork about a half-mile from the trailhead, and take the left fork. If you're not paying attention you'll find yourself going up the wrong drainage (ask me how I know this). The road eventually disappears under the snow. After about 2 miles you'll reach tree-line (11,400') and the gulch opens up. From the head of the gulch an ascending traverse leads to a saddle at 12,600' on the Continental Divide, between Graham Gulch and Grizzly Creek. Ski crampons are useful on this section if the snow's frozen.

At the saddle you'll get your first view of Grizzly Peak. Take skis off here and bootpack along the ridge, first heading S towards point 13,441' and then W. (This section of the route is described in Lou Dawson's out-of-print "Colorado Backcountry" guidebook, but with an approach from the Grizzly Creek side). From the saddle it looks like the ridge might involve lots of tedious scrambling over loose pinnacles, but the other side is quite straightforward when covered with firm snow.

Beyond point 13,441' the E ridge is roughly level for 3/4 mile, and then it climbs up to end at 13,900', right at the entrance to Grizzly's N couloir. (The summit is a bit higher and few hundred yards to the S). Click in to your bindings and enjoy the ride down! But don't get carried away; as soon as the couloir ends, make a sharp right turn followed by a long traverse parallel to the E ridge until you're on the slopes below the 12,600' saddle. Regain about 300-400' to get back up to the saddle.

From the saddle, ski back down the way you came.

If it's a warm day it's best to make a very early start. I started around 4:30am, and earlier would have been better. The N Couloir is well-shaded, but the traverse back to the 12,600' saddle crosses numerous slide paths, and the E-facing slopes at the head of Graham Gulch are in the sun from early morning onwards.

Round-trip distance is roughly 10 miles with about 4,200' of elevation gain.

Left car 4:37am
12,600' saddle 7:20am
Top of N Couloir 10:12am
Back at 12,600' saddle 11:10am
Back at car 12:20pm

As a comparison, here's a view of the E ridge from the top of the N Couloir in early June 2013. This is why you might not want to wait for Lincoln Creek Road to open.