Peak(s):	Mt. Wilson - 14,256 feet
Date Posted:	04/19/2011
Modified:	04/24/2011
Date Climbed:	04/17/2011
Author:	pioletski

Skiing Mt Wilson
Mt Wilson: Slate Creek ascent, Boxcar Couloir descent Crew: Brittany (mtnbikerskierchick), Kim (skiberly), Matt (pioletski) 12 miles, 4214' climbed and skied View from the trailhead. L to R: South Wilson, Mt Wilson, Gladstone, Cross, unnamed, Lizard Head Rogues' gallery Brittany and I had talked about skiing for a few days, thinking about heading for the Elks, but decided that the lines we wanted to ski weren't ready yet. Having a few days off work, and a window of reasonable weather, I suggested Mt Wilson. Brittany has skied Wilson, but hoped to get a cleaner summit descent (though we both agreed that her previous trip "counted"). After a little more discussion we decided to do Wilson, approaching from the south (Slate Creek) and skiing the Boxcar Couloir. The Slate Creek approach involves some cross-country navigation; that aspect appealed to me. Kim, whom I had not met before, wanted to come along as well. Brittany described her as an awesome skier, and she should know, she's no slouch herself. So I was going to do this climb with two seriously bad Bettys. Hmmm. Male pride must be defended, at all costs! How to do this? One thing for sure: I damn well better know the way, stopping to ask for directions just wouldn't do! So I set out for a recon the day before, and will begin by sharing my notes. Generally speaking, the route follows the Cross Mountain trail onto a broad ridge that comes down from Lizard Head Peak. Once on the crest of the ridge, the trail swings from northwest to due north; this route continues northwest and traverses cross-country into Slate Creek. I understand that this part is a royal pain in the summer, but on snow it's an excellent route (especially if there is continuous snow all the way back to the trailhead). The trip begins from the Cross Mountain trailhead, two miles west of Lizard Head Pass, marked by this sign: Calibrate your altimeter at the trailhead (10,050) - it is your primary navigation tool for this route. At first the way is straightforward, following a road more or less parallel to Lizard Head Creek. After about 1/2 mile, the road bears left at an inviting meadow; this sign confirms that you are on route: From here, you follow the roadcut to 10,999 feet (it is not necessary to break 11 grand). At this point the bushwhack begins. Take a deep breath, hang a left and plunge into the dark scary woods. There is a series of low-angled benches between 10,800' and 11,000' that you want to follow. Take a gently descending traverse to connect them; if you find yourself on a steep sidehill then you are either too high or too low. (By gentle, I mean try to visualize yourself climbing back out without your skins on; if that seems ridiculous then your trajectory is probably too steep.) If all goes well, you will arrive at Slate Creek in a wide meadow at 10,800 feet, with grand views of Gladstone at the head of the valley: and Lizard Head to your right: If you need to re-tile your kitchen and you're feeling particularly burly, bring a big pack - Slate Creek is aptly named: The famous Slate Creek slate In passing, let me just comment that a good map-and-compass navigator is well described in and old Cheryl Wheeler song: frequently wrong but never in doubt. On to the trip: The trailhead is a rather desolate place to camp, although the moonrise over Sheep Mountain was beautiful: Brittany arrived after dark, and Kim arrived sometime in the middle of the night. The trip began before dawn, as they so often do... Sunrise found us arriving in the Slate Creek valley... ... and I finally got to see Kim's smiling face. Brittany donned her stylish sunhat. We paused for a snack below the outlet of the Boxcar... ... and continued up the Slate Creek Cirque. (Climbing the Boxcar itself is not a great idea, as it has a reputation for rockfall.) Here are views of Lizard Head... ... and upward toward the summit... ... and across to the Gladstone Saddle. Spectacular terrain! The entrance to the Boxcar itself is through a notch at 13,600 feet: Our route continued up the cirque to a col just south of the summit, affording a view of El Diente: Unfortunately, at this point it was apparent that the snow was not continuous to the summit, so the descent would be interrupted by a 40' downclimb. This seems to be typical for Wilson, only a lucky few have had perfect unbroken ski descents. Photos at the summit: I placed my video camera on my helmet and handed my other camera to Brittany, whose camera was AWOL for the day; she and Kim traded off with it, so I am not sure to whom to attribute the rest of these photos. (I will add the ski video to this TR when I have had a chance to edit it.) Brittany and I put our skis on at the summit... ... and pushed off, then all too soon put our crampons back on for the downclimb. Kim was having no part of this silliness, she left her skis at the col, where the real skiing began. The snow was rather dense, wind-hammered and somewhat variable. Brittany and I dealt with it as best we could while Kim gave it some schoolin'. The initial plunge View back up to the summit from the top of the Boxcar: Brittany taking the plunge into the couloir proper: The Boxcar is a truly grand ski run: 1200 feet vertical, not counting the apron at the bottom, wide at first and narrow below, steep rock walls: Kim entering the narrow bottom section: Three happy skiers, ready for the traverse back home: Brittany, thanks for coming out to play (and congratulations on your engagement to Frank); Kim, great to meet you! EDIT: Here, only a week later, is the helmet cam video: Thanks for reading! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Skiing Mt Wilson

Mt Wilson: Slate Creek ascent, Boxcar Couloir descent

Crew: Brittany (mtnbikerskierchick), Kim (skiberly), Matt (pioletski)
12 miles, 4214' climbed and skied

View from the trailhead. L to R: South Wilson, Mt Wilson, Gladstone, Cross, unnamed, Lizard Head

Brittany and I had talked about skiing for a few days, thinking about heading for the Elks, but decided that the lines we wanted to ski weren't ready yet. Having a few days off work, and a window of reasonable weather, I suggested Mt Wilson. Brittany has skied Wilson, but hoped to get a cleaner summit descent (though we both agreed that her previous trip "counted"). After a little more discussion we decided to do Wilson, approaching from the south (Slate Creek) and skiing the Boxcar Couloir. The Slate Creek approach involves some cross-country navigation; that aspect appealed to me.

Kim, whom I had not met before, wanted to come along as well. Brittany described her as an awesome skier, and she should know, she's no slouch herself. So I was going to do this climb with two seriously bad Bettys. Hmmm. Male pride must be defended, at all costs!

How to do this? One thing for sure: I damn well better know the way, stopping to ask for directions just wouldn't do! So I set out for a recon the day before, and will begin by sharing my notes.

Generally speaking, the route follows the Cross Mountain trail onto a broad ridge that comes down from Lizard Head Peak. Once on the crest of the ridge, the trail swings from northwest to due north; this route continues northwest and traverses cross-country into Slate Creek. I understand that this part is a royal pain in the summer, but on snow it's an excellent route (especially if there is continuous snow all the way back to the trailhead).

The trip begins from the Cross Mountain trailhead, two miles west of Lizard Head Pass, marked by this sign:

Calibrate your altimeter at the trailhead (10,050) - it is your primary navigation tool for this route. At first the way is straightforward, following a road more or less parallel to Lizard Head Creek. After about 1/2 mile, the road bears left at an inviting meadow; this sign confirms that you are on route:

From here, you follow the roadcut to 10,999 feet (it is not necessary to break 11 grand). At this point the bushwhack begins. Take a deep breath, hang a left and plunge into the dark scary woods. There is a series of low-angled benches between 10,800' and 11,000' that you want to follow. Take a gently descending traverse to connect them; if you find yourself on a steep sidehill then you are either too high or too low. (By gentle, I mean try to visualize yourself climbing back out without your skins on; if that seems ridiculous then your trajectory is probably too steep.) If all goes well, you will arrive at Slate Creek in a wide meadow at 10,800 feet, with grand views of Gladstone at the head of the valley:

and Lizard Head to your right:

If you need to re-tile your kitchen and you're feeling particularly burly, bring a big pack - Slate Creek is aptly named:

In passing, let me just comment that a good map-and-compass navigator is well described in and old Cheryl Wheeler song: frequently wrong but never in doubt.

On to the trip:

The trailhead is a rather desolate place to camp, although the moonrise over Sheep Mountain was beautiful:

Brittany arrived after dark, and Kim arrived sometime in the middle of the night. The trip began before dawn, as they so often do...

Sunrise found us arriving in the Slate Creek valley...

... and I finally got to see Kim's smiling face.

Brittany donned her stylish sunhat.

We paused for a snack below the outlet of the Boxcar...

... and continued up the Slate Creek Cirque. (Climbing the Boxcar itself is not a great idea, as it has a reputation for rockfall.) Here are views of Lizard Head...

... and upward toward the summit...

... and across to the Gladstone Saddle. Spectacular terrain!

The entrance to the Boxcar itself is through a notch at 13,600 feet:

Our route continued up the cirque to a col just south of the summit, affording a view of El Diente:

Unfortunately, at this point it was apparent that the snow was not continuous to the summit, so the descent would be interrupted by a 40' downclimb. This seems to be typical for Wilson, only a lucky few have had perfect unbroken ski descents.

Photos at the summit:

I placed my video camera on my helmet and handed my other camera to Brittany, whose camera was AWOL for the day; she and Kim traded off with it, so I am not sure to whom to attribute the rest of these photos. (I will add the ski video to this TR when I have had a chance to edit it.) Brittany and I put our skis on at the summit...

... and pushed off, then all too soon put our crampons back on for the downclimb. Kim was having no part of this silliness, she left her skis at the col, where the real skiing began. The snow was rather dense, wind-hammered and somewhat variable. Brittany and I dealt with it as best we could while Kim gave it some schoolin'.

View back up to the summit from the top of the Boxcar:

Brittany taking the plunge into the couloir proper:

The Boxcar is a truly grand ski run: 1200 feet vertical, not counting the apron at the bottom, wide at first and narrow below, steep rock walls:

Kim entering the narrow bottom section:

Three happy skiers, ready for the traverse back home:

Brittany, thanks for coming out to play (and congratulations on your engagement to Frank); Kim, great to meet you!

EDIT: Here, only a week later, is the helmet cam video:

Thanks for reading!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Beachrodney	Cool!!! 4/19/2011 6:54pm Thanks for sharing, that is a beautiful area!
otherbrotherdarryl	beautiful day 4/19/2011 7:37pm Anyone ever done a ski descent of Lizard Head? Looks exciting.
benners	Sweet Matt! 4/19/2011 11:22pm The more and more I see of that line, the more I want to ski it. Great job guy and gals!
killingcokes	Awesome 4/20/2011 12:04am Great ski and great news Brittany, Congrats
lordhelmut	ain't so bad 4/20/2011 12:19am Hey Matt, lets see some more shots of that summit billy goatin'. I guess this line is worth the effort after all. Nice work, I envy the last week of your life (and schedule to pull it off).
mtnfiend	Yup....... 4/20/2011 2:12am You just reaffirmed my desire to ski the box car!! Well done!!
mtnbikerskierchick	:) 4/20/2011 4:24am Great write-up Matt! Great to ski with you again too! Let's get out again soon!
skiberly	Thanks Matt! 4/21/2011 2:05am Amazing day we had! Love the boxcar! Thanks for having me along
Dancesatmoonrise	Orienteering, gorgeous day, beautiful women... 4/24/2011 3:25am What more can a man ask? Nice report, great photos and a badass line. I'm envious!
Carl	Nice! 5/2/2011 2:23pm Sweet ski ladies (and Matt). Great conditions and TR! Thanks for all the details too. edit: Just realized I know Kim too. You lucked out with a great crew Matt. Looking forward to an El Diente TR.

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Mt Wilson: Slate Creek ascent, Boxcar Couloir descent

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