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Mountain Biking Canyons Village Park City / Holly’s Trail

Christopher Comstock — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:19:30 +0000

Mountain Biking Holly's trail at Canyons Village Park City Utah. Holly's is the only trail at Canyons Village of Park City. There are huge advantages to having limited options. You don't get indecisive when choosing which trail to ride. You can't get lost. And it's the best trail around.

Holly's Trail

The climb is BIG but not too technically challenging. The scenery and the forest are amazing! The access can't be beat. Plus the trails that Holly's connects to are some of the funnest downhill trails anywhere in Park City, like Ricochet & Insurgent. You couldn't do much better than Holly's.

Access.

Holly's Trail is at the Canyons Village. It starts on a gravel road beneath the Orange Bubble Chairlift. Make your way up the gravel road about a quarter mile and turn left where the trail begins to climb onto the mountain. (if you get to a golf fairway, you've gone too far)

Parking

Bottom Cabriolet lot - You are allowed to load your bikes onto the cabriolet lift

If the Cabriolet is not running - park in the upper lot

Vertical climb

1,167ft

Distance

3.5 miles

Time to Beat

46:26

Mountain Biking Holly's trail at Canyons Village Park City Utah

mountain biking Holly's trail at Canyons Village Park City Utah

The Climb

Holly's trail starts off as a no-nonsense Wasatch climb. Get past the initial cardiovascular transition and the trail seems to mellow. Holly's is very scenic, it is situated in a tight draw with steep mountains on either side. The trail takes riders across ski slopes and through the forest at good intervals for views and shade. It is a beautiful ride; take your camera.

The way down suggested linked trails

Ricochet - Intermediate downhill trail (super fun)

Insurgent - Advanced downhill trail

Double Down - Expert downhill

Tip - Using Ambush trail to link Olympic Park is an option. The electric bus leaves from library every 10 minutes directly back to the Canyons cabriolet lot.

Photos Holly's Trail

More Park City Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain Biking Canyons Village Park City / Holly’s Trail

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NEW High Star Ranch / Kamas mountain biking trails

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Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs

Christopher Comstock — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 04:45:29 +0000

Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs are two of the most awesome ski experiences in the Wasatch. Timpanogos is so massive and rugged that it truly stands out from any of the other backcountry ski descents around. I recommend everybody make at least 1 trip here as soon as they can. (avalanche conditions permitting)

Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs

Mount Timpanogos Cold fusion

Cold Fusion Couloir

A more sane line than the grunge couloir also more visible one too. On a clear day you can see this line all the way from the Salt Lake Valley. The approach is the same, only shorter. The skiing is also better. The couloir is steep but not so steep that you'll end up at the bottom if you fall. Avalanches here are a real and present danger, as the couloir is nothing but a HUGE slide path. When we went the day was sunny and avy danger was low. We set a beautiful boot pack and had no issues. A day later the winds picked up and a group followed our steps and set off a wind slab avalanche sweeping one skier several hundred feet down the couloir. Luckily he wasn't injured but you need to be careful when skiing this one.

The Grunge Couloir

Oh screeching weasels, the Grunge couloir is a steep one! Part of Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery 92 of the steepest ski descents of the Wasatch. The entrance has a decent-sized cornice above a 60-degree slope, with a 1,000+ foot cliff below it. Don't slip on this one. If it weren't for the high consequences entering the couloir off rope would be doable. The good news is that if you bring a 30-meter rope there is a bolted anchor to ski rap from. The rest of the line is standard chute skiing except for being the steepest continuous line I've ever skied. It's about 50 degrees the whole way down. This line is badass and requires expert-level skiing ability, and now it's one of my favorites.

Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs

The Approach

The approach is pretty long. The trip took us 7:58 from the parking lot and back to the car. We were moving at a moderate pace. We approached from Mutual Dell Campground but it may be easier to approach from the Bear Canyon trailhead. Either way you'll need to get on the Bear Canyon trail and follow it up from there. The good news about the approach is that once you're on the trail it's smooth skinning from there. Stay on trail until it ends...

Grunge Couloir is 11,101ft in elevation. The North Timpanogos peak is located in American Fork Canyon Utah.

Goat Worthy

I've skied many peaks in the Wasatch. Nothing compares to the Timpanogos! It's massive cliffs are bigger than any around. A wrong turn or misstep could end up as a 1,000 foot fall to certain death. The semi-difficult access means people who ski it had to earn it. Thus there aren't many backcountry skiers kicking steps up it. All these things make Timpanogos remarkable, however, what truly sets this peak apart from all the others are the mountain goats. Until I skied the Grunge Couloir I had NEVER seen mountain goats while skiing the backcountry. The goats ran away quickly as we summited but there presence was a good omen. I knew that the Grunge couloir was going to be certainly goat worthy, and it was.

Access

Driving

Go to the American Fork Canyon from the West (I-15). Drive up the Canyon until you reach Mutual Dell Campground and park there. I would recommend driving further up the canyon and looking for a trailhead as this might be an easier approach.

Approach

To access both the Cold Fusion and Grunge couloirs make your up the Bear Canyon trail (a well packed fat bike trail) until it ends. From here you will be standing below a massive wall of the North Timpanogos Peak. Cross the huge avalanche path. You'll need to skin over a small knoll. Here you will be at the bottom of the Cold Fusion couloir. Skin up the couloir until it gets too steep. Strap your boards to your pack and begin the bootpack. Boot all the way up to the top of the Cold Fusion couloir and ski down.

To get to the Grunge Couloir

Continue booting up Cold Fusion ridge. When you reach the top, it'll flatten out. Traverse a little further and you'll be at it.

Trip Photography

As always I take my photography seriously to see full Gallery click here

3 Grunge & Cold Fusion stats uncovered

5,101 vertical approach.
62 degrees the max pitch angle.
7:58 hours The time it takes to ski the couloir.

VIDEO

More Backcountry Skiing Adventures

Backcountry Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

By Christopher Comstock | February 15, 2019

Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes… With a short approach, little exposure, and short descents, they are some of the funnest lines in the Wasatch. If you’re skiing the Chuting Gallery Cardiff Ridge chutes make a great practice area to prepare yourself for bigger mountaineering projects that lie ahead. Cardiff Ridge Chutelettes Skiing…

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery / Mike Mckinney Chuting Project

By Christopher Comstock | January 3, 2019

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery Mike Mckinney skis all 92 of the steepest ski descents in the Wasatch Mountains Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery Does he make it? Chuting project is to ski 92 ski descents listed in “The Chuting Gallery” by backcountry ski expert Andrew McLean. To do this Mike will have to…

Experience the Joy of backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges couloir

By Christopher Comstock | December 18, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir is a joy if you can find it. Finding this gem isn’t easy but if you follow the tips in this post you’ll be at the base of this beauty looking up into one of the coolest ski descents in the Wasatch. Backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir…

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

By Christopher Comstock | December 7, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir is a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. It’s called the “Super Couloir” for a reason. If you ski this couloir you will experience one of the most awesome couloirs in the Wasatch. But if you want to go backcountry skiing Box…

Backcountry Skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area

By Christopher Comstock | November 24, 2018

Backcountry skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area theoretically would be awesome. I have however yet to “PROPERLY” ski it. In the late year of 2017 we aimlessly skied the area. We found some snow and came back with some photos. I felt like the area wasn’t skied to it’s potential. Hopefully anyone who goes backcountry skiing in…

Backcountry Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

Christopher Comstock — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:33:05 +0000

Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes... With a short approach, little exposure, and short descents, they are some of the funnest lines in the Wasatch. If you're skiing the Chuting Gallery Cardiff Ridge chutes make a great practice area to prepare yourself for bigger mountaineering projects that lie ahead.

Cardiff Ridge Chutelettes

Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

One of my best chute skiing days was here. It was a storm day. Mike Mckinney & I decided to go up to Cardiff Ridge and check it out. It was low visibility and I was feeling a little intimidated on the skin up. Half way up we stopped at the bottom of the ridge to inspect it from below. Mike pulled out a picture of the ridge. We picked out the Shangri-La line and it felt little better to see our objective.

Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

Backcountry Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

No Missteps

We skinned as far as we could and then transitioned to booting to gain the ridge. Once we were on top, we had to make our way across to access Shangri-La. Upon the ridge, there is a fully exposed gap which you have to step across. Once you get across, you get to access one of the most fun and best-practiced lines for the Chuting Gallery, Shangri-La. But with a misstep, would be bad. I didn’t know if I could do it.

Shown the Way

Mike looked at me, then looked off the edge, then looked back at me and said “It would be easy if it were just a couple feet off the ground”. He led the way. Across gap safely he looked back grinned and nodded. As if to say "I did it!" I told myself, "Chris, trust yourself, you've GOT THIS"!

Skiing Tetris Chute

Crossing the Fear Gap

On the other side of the gap, the ridge didn’t seem so scary anymore. I knew our objective was near, and I also knew that I could do it. The skiing was amazing! The short and steep powder choked lines off Cardiff Ridge helped prepare me for the bigger mountain lines.

Skiing Shangri la chute

Backcountry Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

As described in the story, the ridge can be a little difficult to navigate. The best way to access the chutes is to boot directly up the one you want to ski. The skiing is short but every bit worthy of extreme chute skiing status. This area is the perfect test area to see if you've got what it takes to ski bigger mountaineering challenges.

Access

Cardiff ridge is 10,000 ft in elevation. The ridge is located in the Little Cottonwood Canyon Alta Utah.

The Approach

The approach is short and sweet. Just head up pole line pass toward Cardiff pass. About half the way up the pass you'll enter a sparsely treed area with the power lines above, there just looker left are the Cardiff ridge chutes. From here the approach is simple skin up the ridge as high as your skins get purchase, then transition to bootpacking.

If you choose to navigate atop the ridge, you'll have to do some delicate footwork to access your line.

Driving:

Go up the Little Cottonwood Canyon to the town of Alta.

Approach:

Follow the Cardiff Pass trail. Halfway up, the ridge will present itself to the West. (lookers left)

Trip Photography

As always I take my photography seriously to see full Gallery click here

3 Cardiff Ridge stats uncovered

300 vertical descent.
8 miles the distance you have to drive up Little Cottonwood.
35-45 minutes The time it takes to reach the base of the ridge.

VIDEO

More Backcountry Skiing Adventures

Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs

By Christopher Comstock | March 5, 2019

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery / Mike Mckinney Chuting Project

By Christopher Comstock | January 3, 2019

Experience the Joy of backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges couloir

By Christopher Comstock | December 18, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

By Christopher Comstock | December 7, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area

By Christopher Comstock | November 24, 2018

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery / Mike Mckinney Chuting Project

Christopher Comstock — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 00:07:38 +0000

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery

Mike Mckinney

skis all 92 of the steepest ski descents

in the Wasatch Mountains

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery

https://youtu.be/8HhxuKa66PA

Does he make it?

Chuting project is to ski 92 ski descents listed in "The Chuting Gallery" by backcountry ski expert Andrew McLean. To do this Mike will have to overcome many challenges like Fear, mother nature, and the social norm of working a 9-5. If he fails, his dream of turning Backcountry Ski Mountaineering into a career will be exchanged for working at the resort. If he is successful, he will achieve his dream of being able to thrive as a backcountry ski professional. Follow along and see if he completes the Chuting Project.

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery

The Chuting Project

Started by Luke Heinz. It was an attempt to ski all 92 lines listed in the book "The Chuting Gallery" by Andrew McLean, in one winter. Luke wasn't able to ski all 92 lines in one winter, but the project continues. Thus "The Chuting Project" got it's name.

The Chuting Gallery

The Chuting Gallery by Andrew McLean A guide to steep skiing in the Wasatch Mountains. In his book McLean states, "In the realm of skiing, chute skiing is an obscure and misunderstood discipline. While huge powder fields are always appetizing, there is something perversely appealing about a long, steep rock lined couloir. It's like skiing down the barrel of a giant gun--some people just don't see the appeal. The only way to know if you are going to like it is to try it".

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery

Big Cottonwood Canyon

_X___ Powerhouse Couloir

_X___ Generator Coulir

_X___ Whipple Couloir

_X___ Stairs Gulch

_X___ East Face of Twin

_X___ Argenta

_X___ Kessler-East Couloir

_X___ Kessler-West Coulir

_X___ God's Lawnmower

__X_ Mt. Raymond-East Face

__X_ Heart of Darkness

__X_ Thunderstruck Couloir

__X_ Lightning Bolt Chute

__X_ Wyatt Couloir

__X_ Benson & Hedges Couloir

__X_ The Hallway Couloir

__X_ Holy Toledo

__X_ Holy Mole' Couloir

The Little Cottonwood Canyon

__X__ White Pearl

__X__ Coalpit #4

__X__ The Great White Icicle

__X__ Coalpit

__X__ Triangle Couloir

__X__ Y-Not Couloir

__X__ Y Couloir

__X__ Lisa Falls

__X__ Maybird Couloir

__X__ Tanners

_X___ White Pine

_X___ Little Pine

_X___ Limber Pine

_X___ Little Pine East

_X___ Jedediah

_X___ Monte Cristo Directissimo

_X___ Monte Cristo Gully

_X___ Mount Superior south face

_X___ Homicide Chute

_X___ Suicide Chute

_X___ Pinball Alley

_X___ Hellgate Couloir

_X___ Little Feat

_X___ Femme Fatale

_X___ The Hangnail

_X___ Atomic Fireball

_X___ The Shield

_X___ Shangri-la

_X___ Tetris

_X___ Toledo Chute

Little Cottonwood Canyon Backcountry

__X__ The Hypodermic Needle

__X__ The Dresden Face

__X__ The Sliver

__X__ Montgomery

__X__ Ivory Chute

__X__ Snapdragon

__X__ Pfeifferhorn-NW Couloir

__X__ Pfeifferhorn-North Couloir

__X__ Pfeifferhorn-NE Couloir

Wolverine Cirque & Tuscarora

__X__ The Huge Chute

__X__ Tips & Tails

__X__ Bombay

__X__ Honeycomb Cliffs

__X__ The Granny Chute

__X__ Graceland

__X__ Roman's

__X__ The Zoot Chute

__X__ Bronco Couloir

__X__ Big Bang

__X__ Pressure Drop

__X__ The Scythe

__X__ Scratch n' Sniff

__X__ Slipstream

__X__ Ragtime

__X__ Newt Chute

__X__ Sushi Chute

__X__ Tuscarora The Seagull

Peaks

__X__ Apollo Couloir

__X__ Zeus Chute

__X__ Medusa's Face

__X__ Memorial Couloirs

__X__ Mount Aire-East Face

__X__ Box Elder-Northwest Super Couloir

__X__ Lone Peak - NE Couloir

__X__ Grunge Couloir

__X__ Kings Peak

Forbidden Fruit Chutes

__X__ Baldy Main Chute - Alta

__X__ Baldy Little Chute - Alta

__X__ Baldy Dogleg Chute - Alta

__X__ Devil's Castle Couloir - Alta

__X__ Ciochetti's Ribbon

__X__ Pipeline - Snowbird

__X__ Elevator Shaft - Brighton

__X__ Honeycomb Cliffs - Solitude

Backcountry skiing the chuting gallery, a project to ski 92 of the steepest lines in the Wasatch. Our hero will face many challenges along the way. He will require friends, physical fitness, and buckets of courage to succeed. Succeed he must, as his future could be decided by this project. If he's successful, we'll have tons of content to produce for you, securing Park City People LLC future in the backcountry ski industry. If we fail, it might mean a 9-5. Let's help Mike McKinney's Chuting Project.

Get your copy of The Chuting Project checklist

Print it out and keep track of your progress on the Chuting Project

Experience the Joy of backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges couloir

Christopher Comstock — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 03:55:08 +0000

Backcountry Skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir is a joy if you can find it. Finding this gem isn't easy but if you follow the tips in this post you'll be at the base of this beauty looking up into one of the coolest ski descents in the Wasatch.

Backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir

Backcountry Skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir

Finding Benson & Hedges

Benson and Hedges couloir was one of the more difficult ones to find. It is located on a west facing aspect of Reed & Benson Ridge, in Cardiff Fork of the Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is hidden by trees and easily confused with the other look alike chutes next to it.

Backcountry Skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir

Hidden behind trees and sandwiched between other look alike chutes, you could pass it easily and not even know. The trick to finding it is, to use a stream crossing as your reference point. The stream crossing is OBVIOUS and the couloir can be spotted from there. After stepping across the stream, look up at the Reed & Benson ridge, and you'll see it. This Creek Crossing is your reference point whether approaching it from the Little or Big Cottonwood side.

The Old Growth Chute

The ambiance of skiing this thing is off the charts! The walls aren't the biggest but they're super impressive nonetheless. It's the pine trees that give this couloir that extra brilliance. Most couloirs are in inhospitable terrain for trees to grow in. Due to the trees in and around Benson & Hedges, it's also called "The Old Growth Chute" .

Backcountry Skiing Benson & Hedges Couloir

It's simply a joy to ski. The huge rock walls and the trees protect the snow for sun and wind, keeping it nice long after a storm. The couloir is also wide enough to make comfortable turns. The pitch is only 4o degrees at it's steepest, so It's not too steep. All these reasons make It an esthetic line that's not too extreme, and a joy to ski.

Christopher Comstock skiing below the Benson & Hedges Couloir

If you're trying to ski the couloirs listed in the book "The Chuting Gallery" it's possible to link Benson & Hedges with

The Hallway Couloir Wasatch Backcountry

Linking the two couloirs would be LONG, but doable.

Access

These are estimated locations of The Hallway and Benson & Hedges couloirs

Big Cottonwood Canyon Park Snowplay lot

Big Cottonwood Canyon Park at the Snowplay lot 9 miles up the canyon. Skin up the Cardiff Fork Trail. After about 2.5 miles you reach an OBVIOUS stream crossing. Don't worry the stream is easy to step across. From here you can see the Couloir off the the east (lookers left). Continue up the snowmobile track for a short distance. Now leave the snowmobile track using visual orientation to guide you the rest of the way to the mouth of Benson & Hedges couloir. Reach the couloir and then bootpack straight up it.

Little Cottonwood Canyon Cardiff Fork

Little Cottonwood Canyon Cardiff Fork Skin up and over Cardiff Pass. Once down in Cardiff Fork ski for a couple miles down the canyon following the snowmobile trails. STAY ON THE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS as this area funnels down into wicked steep stream gullies. Skiing down a snowmobile track sucks but getting stuck cliffed out in the gnarl of trees, or down in a steep stream gully sucks way worse. Ski on the snowmobile track down canyon until you reach and OBVIOUS stream crossing and STOP.

Turn around, from here you can see the Couloir off the the east (lookers left). Transition back to skinning and head back up the snowmobile track for a short distance. Use visual orientation to guide you the rest of the way to the mouth of couloir. Reach the couloir and then bootpack straight up it.

3 Benson & Hedges Couloir stats uncovered

1,300 vertical.

40 degrees Steepness of the pitch.

10,000 ft summit elevation

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

Christopher Comstock — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 14:46:28 +0000

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir is a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. It's called the "Super Couloir" for a reason. If you ski this couloir you will experience one of the most awesome couloirs in the Wasatch. But if you want to go backcountry skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir there is one MAJOR obstacle you'll have to overcome.

Backcountry skiing Lone Peak NE Couloir

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

The Approach

The approach is very long. There are 2 options, first is to start in the Little Cottonwood canyon at the White Pine trailhead. This is the longer and more heinous of the approaches. The more sensible route is from the town of Alpine. You should park at the Dry Creek trailhead and head up from there. You'll have to hike over 1,500 vertical feet and 3miles to just to reach the run out. Then it’s another 3,000 vertical feet and 3 miles to the summit of the couloir. The good news about the approach is that you stay on summer trails the whole way so at least there is no bushwhacking.

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

Box Elder Peak is 11,101ft in elevation. The peak is located in the Dry Creek drainage Alpine Utah.

The East Rib

It's tempting to skin directly up the couloir and might be a good route. The safest route however is to skin up the east rib. Getting to the east rib is simple. Just stay on the trail and skin all the way up the dry creek drainage to the summit ridge. Then head South (right) directly up the east rib. This route is free of bushwhacking, has good views, and is the safest route to the summit.

Backcountry Skiing Box Elder Peak Super Couloir

Oh yeah. Skiing the Super Couloir is worth every bit of the climb. The line is clean so you can really ski it! I had fun picking up some speed, which is not something that can't be done on most of the chuting gallery lines.

The huge cliffs that surround the couloir are awesome! The rock walls are so massive and make a impressive background for ski photography. When skiing here, It's hard not take notice the geologic forces it took upheave this massif. The bent and twisted rocks are on grand display here at the Box Elder Super Couloir.

Access

Driving

Go to the town of Alpine. Accurate directions can be found in "the Chuting Gallery". We used them in 2018 and were accurate.

Approach

Dry Creek Trailhead. Follow the Dry Creek trail all the way past the couloir runout and to the ridge. Then head south (right) along the east rib to the summit. It's 5,400 vertical feet of climbing and over 6 miles on the approach.

Trip Photography

As always I take my photography seriously to see full Gallery click here

3 Box Elder NW Super Couloir stats uncovered

5,400 vertical approach.
12 miles the distance you have to travel to ski it.
4-6 hours The time it takes to reach the couloir.

VIDEO

More Backcountry Skiing Adventures

Backcountry Skiing Mount Timpanogos Cold Fusion & Grunge Couloirs

By Christopher Comstock | March 5, 2019

Backcountry Skiing Cardiff Ridge Chutes

By Christopher Comstock | February 15, 2019

Backcountry Skiing The Chuting Gallery / Mike Mckinney Chuting Project

By Christopher Comstock | January 3, 2019

Experience the Joy of backcountry skiing Benson & Hedges couloir

By Christopher Comstock | December 18, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area

By Christopher Comstock | November 24, 2018

Backcountry Skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area

Christopher Comstock — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 15:27:38 +0000

Backcountry skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area theoretically would be awesome. I have however yet to "PROPERLY" ski it. In the late year of 2017 we aimlessly skied the area. We found some snow and came back with some photos. I felt like the area wasn't skied to it's potential. Hopefully anyone who goes backcountry skiing in the Uintas Castle Peak Area will be able to ski this place the way that I wished I did.

Backcountry skiing Uintas Castle Peak Area

I have only previously skied 1 of the proposed ski descents (Big Elk green). The other ski descents listed are either described in guide books or simply scouted from photos I took. I found what looked to be skiable lines and tried to map them out on a topographical map.

Routes outlined on the TOPO maps are still a working hypothesis waiting for someone to get out in the field and test it. If you have been to this area please submit your photos for use in this post to help finish the backcountry skiing castle peak area story. (Photos summited will be happily credited back to the creator)

Upper Setting Road / early season drive as far as possible and start tour from there

Stop (1) Castle Peak

For the most guaranteed good skiing go to Castle Peak. This is the location of an easy to use Uinta backcountry ski hut operated by Inspired Summit Adventures. To reach the summit of castle peak go to castle lake 1st to avoid the cliff bands. The east aspect offers short but good skiing. To access the DUKE ski the Northwest aspect of Castle Peak down to the head of Yellow Pine Creek. From the creek skin north directly toward the DUKE. Track east right of the peak to avoid the cliffs that protect the summit.

Stop (2) Yellow Pine Creek

Ski the Northwest aspect of Castle Peak down to the head of Yellow Pine Creek. From the creek skin north directly toward the DUKE. Track east right of the peak to avoid the cliffs that protect the summit.To access the DUKE skin east up to the the summit ridge

Stop (3) ski DUKE'S DROP

After 1.5 mile skin you reach a ski zone known as DUKE'S DROP. An avalanche path off the NW side of the Duke. I've heard that this is a good place to do some laps.

(3a) East Knoll Chute If you scout this line on the way to the DUKE and it looks skiable, hit it on the way back from the other side after skiing Duke's Drop.

(3b) Pointer ski the pointy peak East of the Duke enroute to West Shingle Chute/Erickson Basin.

Stop (4) West Shingle Chute

Photos from previous trip capture this line that looks skiable (West Shingle Chute). The peak is just southwest of West Shingle Creek Lake so I'm calling it West Shingle. The summit looks accessible from the west Castle Peak area. Skiing on the West Shingle seems limited. Besides the chute, the east face of the peak looks almost completely cliffed out. If you get up there and the chute looks sketchy there is one skiable exit on the furthest skiers right (SE) of the chute. (lookers left in the photo)

The line behind Mike looks skiable. The rest is cliffed out though.

Stop (5) Erickson pass

Just North of the west Shingle Creek peak is a skiable pass which drops you into Erickson Basin. This pass looks like it might be the only skiable way through the sheer wall of cliffs. In the photo there look to be 2 potential chutes just north of the pass from the peaks summit. It would be good to ski over and take a look at them. The photos used were taken from a distance and it was a very low snow year. (I took liberty to label it Erickson Pass)

Stop (6) Head Home

After taking a look around Erickson Basin and the potential chutes, looker right, the shortest way back would be to skin back up the pass. Back at the top of the pass head South (left) keeping most of your elevation if possible. Find your way down the drainage and back to car on Upper setting road.

Big Elk Tour

If there is still enough daylight and you're feeling up to the challenge, skin across Erickson Basin to the East side.

Stop (7) View Point

From Erickson Pass head east, hand railing the ridge to the right, across Erickson Basin. Keeping your elevation go toward the Erickson Lakes. From here head north "in the name of science" to scout over the ridge and take photographs to scout for possible ski lines at the head of Smith & Moorehouse canyon.

Stop (8) Big Elk Green

Just on west shore of Big Elk Lake is this peak. I'll call it Big Elk Lake Peak. This ski descent is super mellow but it holds snow well. This is the only line that I have skied in the area. One day I hope to return and stay at the yurt. If I can't, I hope that some skier can help serve this backcountry ski zone, some ski justice. Shred it up!

Super Mellow skiable west aspect

Stop (7) Upper setting trail

This is decision point. Here you can take the trail south back to the car to call it a day.

Stop (4 & 8) West Shingle Chute

Does the West Shingle Creek chute look skiable? If it looks skiable and your legs are still good you can ski it. Head towards West Shingle Creek Lake and find a way to either take the ridge or boot directly up the West Shingle Creek peak chute.

Access

Castle Peak is one of the closest Uinta mountain locations to Salt Lake City. Only 51 miles from the city it's a quick 1.5hr drive.

Setting Road Is a 7 mile forest dirt road. It is not plowed in the winter and likely not drivable if the snow is more than a few inches.

Parking From the Scenic HWY toll both drive another 2 miles and park at the setting roads winter closure gate. Skin directly up setting road.

In a low snow season you might be able to drive the 7 miles up setting road like we did. On the map I marked the approximate place that were able to park December 2017.

Backcountry skiing Lone Peak NE Couloir

Christopher Comstock — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 02:35:42 +0000

Lone Peak NE Couloir is an intimidating couloir that's difficult to access. Lone Peak is located at the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley. It stands over the city of Sandy like a sentinel guarding the valley. Its summit looks like a band of granite cliffs with no potential ski line. On the other side, however, you can see a couple of strips of snow that kinda look skiable. Lone Peak NE Couloir is one of the lines listed in the book "The Chuting Gallery" By Andrew McLean. The approach is 7,750 feet of climbing to reach the couloir. It's a long day. However, there are great backcountry camping spots that can be used to shorten your ski day. The couloir is wide enough to make turns. However; It's very steep, exposed, and terminates as a cliff.

Backcountry skiing Lone Peak NE Couloir

Lone Peak

Living in the Salt Lake Valley, especially the southern end, you get a front-row view of this behemoth. The mountain stands so prominently; it is so impressive that it is probably the cause of many gawking skier's traffic accidents. It's like a bug zapper, you just can't help but look. I've always wanted to ski this peak but its difficulty to access and the extremeness of the terrain made it hard to find people qualified and willing to go.

Backcountry skiing Lone Peak NE Couloir

Fifteen years of looking up and dreaming. I hear the ding of my phone messenger alert; It's a text from my buddy Michael McKinney. He wants to know if I'd be interested in skiing Lone Peak NE couloir. The plan is to split the 7,750ft approach in half by camping halfway up the mountain. I'm so stoked, I can't even believe that it might be happening.

The next day, they picked me up and we headed from Park City to Lone Peak. Our intention was to use the Orson Scott Trailhead and camp near the old cabin. We missed the freeway exit and ended up coming down the backside of the Point of the mountain. Suddenly the plans changed and we decided to use the Alpine approach that the Chuting Gallery book describes. To drive to the trail we used the directions Andrew McLean outlines in the book. The directions still hold true.

Question Mark Wall

Second Hamongog

On the way up we looked for a suitable camping location, which turned out to be at the Second Hamongog. There's a creek at the second hamongog, the is no need to haul extra water up the mountain.

The second Hamongog is on the shaded west aspect of the mountain, the sun doesn't warm anything up until much later in the morning.

second-Hamongog

We braved the brisk morning cold on our journey toward the Lone Peak NE Couloir. The Lake Hardy Trail is nearby, once on the snow, it's easy to skin all the way to the summit ridge. Just below the summit, there's a shark fin ridge, with a hundred-foot drop on either side. If you don't cross the shark fin, you wouldn't reach the summit. We straddled the ridge and scooted across it.

Giddy-up-Ridge-(web)

Standing on the summit of Lone Peak was surreal. The city of Sandy looked a lot farther away from up here than Lone Peak looks from the valley floor. Racing the daytime warming of the snowpack we spent only a few minutes on the summit.

Backcountry skiing Lone Peak NE Couloir

It was time to ski the couloir and we looked down with questions in our heads. Does this thing go? Are we in the right couloir? From the top you can't see down the face very far. "Alright, I'm going to ski cut over to there, then ski across to those rocks," Mike points out. He leads the whole way down the couloir. At the bottom the couloir we were looking over a giant cliff band. It was certain death if you slipped. Our guidebook said there is supposed to be a snow traverse that skirts just above the cliffs. Thank goodness there was a traverse and Mike punched hand and foot holds across it. After a short down, climb we were back on skis.

The 50 degree pitch of the Lone Peak NE couloir makes it look like your staring down a vertical snowfield dotted with rock diving boards jutting out from it.

Access

Driving

Go to the town of Alpine. Accurate directions can be found in "the Chuting Gallery". We used them in 2018 and were accurate.

Approach

Schoolhouse Springs Trailhead. Start hiking or skinning directly up the dirt road. Follow the road for quite a ways. If you aren't sure which way keep heading right. The dirt road will end at what's called the First Hamongog. Follow the trail up and left to the "second Hamongog". This is where we camped. continue up the same trial that brought you to the second Hamongog. The trail called, "Lake Hardy Trail" will turn left towards the big peaks. Follow this trail up the drainage between Bighorn Peak and Lone Peak. Exit the trail when it begins to turn to the right toward Lake Hardy drainage. Do not follow the trail into the Lake Hardy drainage.

Approach to Lone Peak

Head slightly left and skin directly for the peak. The skinning will get super exposed on your left with incredible views of the climbing zone known as Question Mark Wall.

Approach exposure Lone Peak NE Couloir

Final Approach - Boot Pack

The terrain will steepen as you near the summit ridge. One transition to boot packing is all you need to reach the Couloir. If you want to reach the summit things get a little more interesting. Just before the summit, the ridge turns into a shark's fin. We straddled that ridge between our legs and rode it like a bronco to the other side. Then it was a short rock climb in ski boots to the summit.

The Sneak Traverse is perfectly situated just above a cliff band. The cliffs looked to be at least 80-200 feet high. The traverse is the only connection to safety for an otherwise unskiable line.

Recommended Safety Equipment If you are skiing the NE couloir it is recommended you have basic backcountry avalanche and safety gear. Due to the risk of falling off a cliff, an ice axe is also recommended for self-arrest if you so fall.

VIDEO

Trip Photography

As always I take my photography seriously to see full Gallery click here

3 Lone Peak NE Couloir stats uncovered

50 degrees is the sustained pitch of the 1,400 vertical couloir.
7,750 vertical feet is what you have to climb to access it.
Perfect 10.0 The feeling you get after skiing the peak that stood above your suburban home for years.

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Mountain Biking La Sal Mountains / The Whole Enchilada Trail

Christopher Comstock — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 02:41:08 +0000

Mountain Biking La Sal Mountains The Whole Enchilada Trail. Moab Utah is iconic for mountain biking trails. There is no more iconic ride in Moab than the Whole Enchilada. The trails everything from singletrack to slickrock. The view are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! If your riding ability is intermediate ability, you need to make the trip when you can.

Porcupine Rim

The whole Enchilada starts in the La Sal Mountains near Moab Utah. At first, the route is nice buff single track. As the trail drops down the mountain it turns to slick rock. The slick rock section is slightly technical and your concentration mustn't wander to the incredible views off Porcupine Rim.

Mountain biking La Sal Mountains The Whole Enchilada Trail

The La Sal Mountains

The beginning of the Whole Enchilada starts high up in the La Sal Mountains. Enjoy the alpine scenery of the 2nd Highest mountains in Utah, as you wind your way down the buff singletrack.

Mountain Biking La Sal Mountains The Whole Enchilada trail

Porcupine Rim and Castle Valley

Next, get ready to have your jaw dropped looking off Porcupine Rim with views of Castleton Tower and the Castle Valley. This section of the trail is slightly technical and requires you focus; However, with views this Incredible it's hard to focus on the trail.

Colorado River

Equally as amazing as the mountains and towers you'll pass along the ride, is the section of trail that runs aside the Colorado river. This section starts on top the cliff walls high up above the river. At the end of the trail you'll descend the final descent down to the river. The trail is over at this point, but the splendor continues. The Colorado River Path is stunning. It runs along the river back to the town of Moab. The canyon walls offer evening shade and the elevated path above the the river offers a safe and gorgeous route away from the highway traffic.

Photos: The Whole Enchilada Trail

Access.

From Moab Utah: we used Whole Enchilada Shuttle

Map

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Vertical drop

7,930ft

Distance

33.8 miles

Shuttle Services

Porcupine Shuttle: (435) 260-0896
Whole Enchilada Shuttle: (435) 260-2534
Coyote Shuttle: (435) 260-2097
Moab Cyclery: (435) 259-7423

Resources

MTB Project

Tips

Wear Gloves - This trail will blister your hands

Take a worthy camera - phones don't do it justice

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Brian House the Backcountry Ski Mountaineer

Christopher Comstock — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 04:55:56 +0000

Brian House

Brian House Backcountry Ski Expert

Brian House the Backcountry Ski Mountaineer

Brian House

When Brian was born, he was left in the cold by his parents. What could have been a tragic story, turned positive as a Grizzly Bear couple took care of him and taught him all he knows about nature. His skills are the best, but he doesn't say a lot.

Brian is backcountry ski mountaineer. When I first met him he was skiing on telemarks. With a background as ski patrol at Park City resort, Brian's knowledge of the backcountry is extensive.

Brian is a great trip planner. Going with Brian on one of his adventures, certainly over the top. He has a vision that only a true mountain enthusiast could. In winter Brian is motivated by big objectives and skiing powder.

When not skiing the backcountry you can find Brian at the library studying or picking up a coffee at PC Roasters.

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Masculine Armpits

When getting real close, you will be greeted with the true essence of masculine big mountain skier. A sent including (but not limited to) hints of coffee, Gortex, ski wax, trail mix , and pine sap.

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The Pinner Couloir is a frequent flusher so it is often riddled with avalanche debris. When we arrived there was significant debris which felt ominous as we entered. Conditions were challenging and I'm not sure if I could've done it if Brian hadn't led the charge of 3,000ft of boot packing. (my calves were so sore after this)

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The trip was great success Brian House led the trip and we able to ski 2 couloirs in one day.

Brian House Trip Leader Photo Gallery

A ski photographer could make a living following. With strong ski and mountaineering background, Brian is able to ski the Biggest Objectives. Pfeifferhorn-Mount Tukunikivatz-Spread Eagle-South Face Superior-The Pinner-

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