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Quandary Peak

snow South Gully aka Cristo Couloir
Difficulty Difficult Class 2 
Snow Steepness: Moderate 
Ski/Board: Advanced, D8 / R3 / II  
Risk FactorsExposure: Moderate
Rockfall Potential: Considerable  
Route-Finding: Moderate  
Commitment: Low  
 
TrailheadBlue Lakes
Start11,700 feet
Summit14,272 feet
Total Gain2,900 feet
RT Length3.5 miles
Last UpdatedMay 2025
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Parking
The summer parking permit/shuttle system in place for the main Quandary Peak trailhead does NOT include the road to Blue Lakes. Hopefully we will continue to have free, unreserved access to this area. Colorado Springs Utilities, who owns the dam, has recently started gating the Blue Lakes road 3/4 mile below the dam but there is parking near the gate.
Snow Only Route
This route should only be climbed with consolidated, stable snow, usually in spring or early summer. In mid-winter, many snow routes have frequent risk of avalanche.

Trailhead

From Breckenridge, drive 8 miles south on Colorado 9. On a sharp corner of Colorado 9, turn west onto the 850 road (Blue Lakes road). Continue on Blue Lakes road as it climbs west. Near 1.4 miles, if the gate is closed, you'll have to park in this area because Colorado Springs Utilities has closed the remaining road to the dam. Follow the road another 3/4 mile to reach the dam.

Route Description

The south gully (aka Cristo Couloir) is recommended for snow climbing/skiing but it's west side can also be used as a descent after climbing the west ridge route. Cristo is a very popular snow climb in spring and early summer -  1 and  2.

From 11,400', where the 850 road is normally gated in summer, walk another 0.7 mile up the road to reach the Blue Lakes dam. On the right (north) side, climb to the pavement on top of the dam -  3 and  4. Slip around the fence and walk west a short distance. Turn right and ascend 200 feet of rock/bushes/snow to reach an open area where you can see all of Cristo -  5.

Enter the gully and ascend snow in the center or rocky terrain on the left side -  6 and  7. Above 13,200', the gully widens as you approach steeper terrain -  8 and  9. The steepest section, nearly 40 degrees, is between 13,500' and 13,800' -  10 and  11. At 13,900', angle right (east) and choose your line to the summit -  12,  13 and  14.

Skiing?

Ski pics:  15,  16 and  17
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17

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