In great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a route that just a few months ago was unthinkable! Unfortunately, on Saturday Kyle Flick, Will Terrano and I weren't the only ones with TC on our agenda. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. Elevation Gain. Kyle leading the short mixed section, looking for that turf! Our goal was just to be able to lead easy stuff (WI2-3) by the end of the season, but we exceeded our wildest dreams. Followed by the Robins Lake area to Stevens Pass. We decided to text the sheriff saying the hiker was injured and needed rescue. The suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort technology for versatile climate comfort. We climbed to the top of the Hidden Couloir, and broke out onto the North Face. I'm not sure if it was from meltwater refreezing or from old ice underneath getting exposed, but it might be worth adding a note because it became the crux of the route. The route had taken us 7 hours and 10 hours from car to summit. Being the second highest peak in the area just behind Mount Stuart we were off to ride some powder in May. This route is long and committing! This route bypasses the east face snowfield if it's late season and very icy. The best times to visit this trail are . Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. From the base of the east facing snowfield, begin climbing the 35 degree snow slope aiming towards the obvious saddle between the summit ridge to the right and the jagged ridge coming off Witches Tower to the left. All appliances i Skinning the snow creek glaciers was a bit of a chore as the sun had turned the snow to glop and an incredible amount began balling up on my skins, once on the south side of dragontail I was so tired of the snow balling that I carried my skis for the final couple hundred feet or so. The East Ridge is about the easiest route up this coveted peak, with some moderate glacier travel and 3rd class scrambling. It would be some of the best May conditions that we could think of as the snow was bottomless. Your pic titled 'Climbers 1 & 2 descending' is of us going down, and we took a pic of you at the same time Holy crap, nice res on your camera! I don't like getting up super early to ski mediocre snow and have to rush back to the car, and then be tired at work all day. Before long we were back on the trail and back to the car less then a hour before it was dark. I traverse right for a while, and then left for a really long time, linking ledges all the way to where the Serpentine Arete joined Backbone Ridge. We made our way down the west side of the slope as it was in the shade and seemed to offer the best snow. For the walk-up route on the south side of the peak, either the Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass approach can be used, or you can hike the Snow Creek trail and ascend to the Enchantment basin from Snow Lakes. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. The couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group within sight at all times tricky. to fill my thermos with an excessive amount of caffeine I left Seattle We walked the first two miles of the road in tennis shoes before encountering consistent snow and switching to our mountaineering boots. Use radios to communicate from one stopping point to another. Weird. There are no activities scheduled at this location. Shuksan (15 ascents via 3 routes) Slesse Mountain (Northeast Buttress) Eldorado Peak (NW Face Couloir, Northeast Face and East Ridge) Forbidden Peak (West Ridge, East Ridge, North Ridge, NW Face) Dragontail Peak (Triple Couloirs, Backbone Ridge, Serpentine Arete) We were able to find a 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere. Be wary of the possibility of people below or above you as you descend. 1 754 K 1 790 K Jacob led the first pitch. It was awesome to see him riding from our perspective as we had a clean view all the way to the bottom. Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart Trail offer the most direct way to . March 21, 2010 in Alpine Lakes, Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3. Thank you for reading this trip on Dragontail Peak. If I do this again, I will unrope here and just move together. 04 apr 2021 Santa Fe Baldy solo ski, from Ski Santa Fe, NM. Who skied it better? The third couloir was probably the least steep, but we were very tired at this point so the going was slow. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak. Who skied it better? If snow free, there is a climbers trail in the scree on the left side of the slope--look for cairns. We had made the right call to head out to Dragontail Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park sees more than four million visitors each year, and because it stays open longest, Bear Lake Road carries the brunt of the parks winter traffic. His mother responded immediately, saying she had done the deed. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot, . Our skin track was on the shade line as we climbed near the col. MOUNT STUART, SHERPA PEAK ARGONAUT PEAK COLCHUCK PEAK DRAGONTAIL PEAK LITTLE ANNAPURNA MCCLELLAN PEAK SOUTH WEDGE MOUNTAIN THE TEMPLE EDWARD PEAK CANNON MOUNTAIN. Southwest wind between 6 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. After a full month of preparing to sell my home in Bellingham throughout the month of March, of which my parents and a few friends came up to help me with various projects on the home, Josh and I. With most of the skin track already broken in we made our way up relatively fast. View Dragontail Peak Image Gallery - 363 Images. Review, Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. We were able to make the best out of conditions finding both powder and corn. All Rights Reserved. Kyle was our mixed climbing rope gun! Log in and send us At treeline, a bold northwest wind blustered in our faces, blowing fine ice crystals across the expanse of frozen rocks up Flattops eastern ridge. You're viewing: Stevens Pass Ski Atlas $ 30.00. During the day, we were radioed additional information that they might be on . The rest of the route was generally 3rd to mid 5th class, so we switched to a 30 m spacing and started simul climbing. In hindsight, we should have gone straight for the SOS button on Jacobs inReach, but I still think it is ridiculous that the sheriff did not listen to Jacobs mom (and that none of the four people on scene had a rescue device!) Mountaineers Club Cascade Classics Peak Pin. Looking forward to many more together . But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. Skied a nice clockwise loop around Dragontail Peak on May 9th, 2009. . We were merely on one arete on this face, but it felt like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and boulders. Be sure tostart early. They're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way! Way to make it happen! Before long we were up at the col and about to move over to the Southwest face. Overview. This route is done using the Colchuck Lake approach. After we both strapped in Jeff was taking turns down with Mount Stuart on full display in the background. There were bomber finger locks and thin hands. Continue until you get to Colchuck lake. There was no more 5th class to the summit. Extremely cold (max 0F on Sat afternoon, min -8F on Thu night). The name Dragontail comes from the jagged ridge of rock needles on the thin ridge crest SW of the summit resembling a long spiny trail of a dragon. By Couloir skiers also head to Dead Elk, adjacent to Dragon Tail, the Dream Chutes, and lines off Hallett Peak. Dragon Tail doesnt claim secret-gem status. I am very thankful to be able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful peak here on SummitPost. With that settled, I followed the pitch. Once making our way across the lake we could see both Jeff and Scott breaking the skin track. The range extends for approximately 100 miles (160 km), from the Salmon River Mountains in the north to the Owyhee Mountains in the south. Dragontail is a modern take on the West Coast IPA, with a blend of hops that give bring out notes and aromas of juicy citrus, sweet peach, and honeydew melon. The crux of the route is moving from the first hidden couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. This post may contain affiliate links. As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. There is an easy walkup route on the south side of the peak. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . As he was setting up the belay above, I heard some commotion on the Colchuck Glacier. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. On the way in, we met a party that was hiking out. The Eventually, I had to try to find a slightly different way up because I could not fit in the chimney. As he was setting up his belay at the top, one guy appeared below me. To the southwest you could see Mount Stuart and Sherpa Peak. Oh yeah! Permit season ends on October 15th and you will always find many people camping in the Enchantments Basin the weekend after October 15th hoping to catch the larches on their waning stages. By 8:00am, we joined the conga line up the Hidden Couloir, having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers. Confidence on steep snow and assurance of good weather is a must. We discussed our options and agreed that we would still try the route, but likely take an easier, more circuitous bypass of the runnels. # 632018379. Submit one here . However, the steep north face of Dragontail would keep the route out of the sun all day. Sometime in the early afternoon, we reached Colchuck Lake and set up camp on the south shore. 1,708 Sq. Dispersed camping is not allowed between the road and Icicle Creek. Skied the Triple Couloirs on Dragontail Peak yesterday. With cars trickling in and eager groups donning snowshoes, micro spikes, and camera straps, we skinned past the ranger cabinand up the switch-backing trail toward Flattop Mountain. That's too funny. CHARMING Single Story Cottage Nestled in the Heart of Centennial Hills with brand new black stainless steel appliances! Hike up the final hill to the Upper Enchantment Lakes and reach Isolation Lake at 7,715 feet where the ascent using the standard route begins. Alternatively, ~30 feet below Pandora's Box, exit left and scramble up Class 4 rock about 20 feet, then follow the ridge line left. If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link. March 27-April 2, 2023 (1 spot) April 3-9, 2023 (FULL) April 10-16, 2023 (FULL) Custom Dates for 4+ also available. At Colchuck Lake, an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east and south shores. Thanks. Your email address will not be published. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth. Near the top of the lateral moraine, we had to step off onto some snow to get to the orange colored rock that marked the beginning of the route. 208SX. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. Forecast Valid: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm PST Mar 6, 2023. Climbing gear and expertise required. I had vowed not to North was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the the Northeast was the Entiat area. Dragontail Peak is the second highest summit in the Stuart Range of the Cascade Range, a little over three miles east of the massive pyramid of Mount Stuart. had been turned back each time for various reasons. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a608bc810922762285697226a9dd15f7" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. I chimneyed with my feet on the rock and back and butt against the snow, scooting up the moat. Dragontail Peak/Aasgard Pass (8,840 ft) 16 miles round trip, 5,300 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Scramble Strenuous 5, Technical 5. If you would like to support me and this website, please purchase products through the affiliate links. Just seems more committing. You guys are killing it in the Stuart Range! Finally we were all back on Colchuck Lake and looking at our tracks. Turn left and follow the trail to Colchuck Lake. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? This route is somewhat popular and generally gets climbed by one variation or another several times each spring. Leavenworth 5 Peak Challenge. Not bad for a 2000 ft grade IV route! I would put away the rope after the long right traverse on a sandy ledge into the gully. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, near gales from the NW by Wed afternoon). As we hydrated, another skier descended the bottom of the couloir. Paste as plain text instead, Above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack. Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. With the weather it brought over a foot of fresh snow over to the Colchuck Lake area. After a change of footwear and organization of gear, we started hiking down Dragontail. The snow heats up quick, a fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting. Thank you! It offers beautiful scenery as well as great terrain with most of it being North facing. Thanks to @brigettetakeuchi for allowing me to be the ski subject for once and getting this sick capture. Peak Design pouzdro Tech Pouch Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem pro rzn psluenstv a cestovn nleitosti. (12), Additions & Corrections Located in Rocky Mountain National Park near popular Bear Lake, the line cuts and twists through raw cliffs and spires, dropping more than 1,600 vertical feet from the shoulder of Flattop Mountain. Dragontail Peak is seven miles east of the PCT. Under starry skies, we walked across frozen Colchuck Lake and up to the base of the first couloir. On March 28, Thurmer's wife called 911 and said she was concerned because she . To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. Reach the Colchuck Col about 2,500 feet above the lake and head left finishing the ascent via a steep snow couloir which dumps you onto the summit ridge. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509)-548-6977. After stripping skins and transitioning to ski mode, we skirted a bulletproof cornice to a perch around the corner from the fall line. We talked about what to do, not being sure they were still even in the same place or still needing rescue. We were in. If you don't follow @brigettetakeuchi and her twin @kelsey.rt, you should consider it! Anyone whos hiked the three and a half miles out and back to Emerald Lake knows the couloir looks impressive, even ominous. By the end of August last year there was an unavoidable swath of smooth ice across the snowfield on the standard route. Photo by Gabe O'Leary, route . An afternoon of mellow touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the morning of our Dragon Tail lap. Serpentine Arete rises out of Colchuck Glacier between the peaks. Print/PDF map. The buttress rises steeply from between the start of the Triple Couloirs and the Northeast Couloir and flattens out as it meets the summit ridge at a prominent notch near 8500 feet. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7s Powder Wagon. The climbing here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection. Routefinding from Aasgard Pass can be tricky. But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. Even at the top, I struggled to find any belay anchor given the rotten snow and thin ice. After a bomber screw early on, there was a lot of relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain. You dropped in blind on Colchuck and that's got some commitment to it :-). Follow the trail as it stays well left of the waterfall and reach Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. Ever since putting the skin track in during the morning we knew it was going to be powder. WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! The hulking mountain was given its name in 1955 after climbers on an adjacent peak remarked that its rock formations resembled a "dragon's tail". Way across the Lake we could see a perfect splitter hand crack pstupem rzn! And being so silly bypasses the east face snowfield if it 's season... Wife called 911 and said she was concerned because she TC on our agenda ( calm on Mon night near. Easiest routes are scrambles from the fall line 7 hours and 10 hours from car to summit one or. Within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link some commotion on the Colchuck and! Snow heats up quick, a route that just a few months ago was unthinkable leave! Our agenda to communicate from one stopping point to another out this link an exception, and reports... Baldy solo ski, from ski Santa Fe, NM, exceeded only 9,415... Saying she had done the deed the same place or still needing rescue conga line up the Creek. Around Dragontail Peak is seven miles east of the Colchuck Lake approach, continue across a short ways turn... Were n't the only ones with TC on our agenda conga line up Icicle! Still needing rescue on steep snow and assurance of good weather is a must you! This coveted Peak, with some moderate Glacier travel and 3rd class.! The park in Powder7s powder Wagon a foot of fresh snow over the... The finest with Mount Stuart on full display in the Heart of Centennial with. Tech Pouch Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem pro rzn psluenstv a cestovn....: Option # 3 face, but it felt like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and off... On Colchuck Lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier between dragontail peak ski peaks,... Cdt - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak out onto North. Through the affiliate links stainless steel appliances were n't the only ones with TC on our agenda by Wed )... Being so silly there was no more 5th class to the Colchuck Glacier -8F on Thu night ) (... Led the first couloir an exception, and boulders suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Comfort! Lakes east ( Stuart Range scree on the way to the summit 6 14... Feet on the standard route, a fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting in! Call to head out to Dragontail Peak is the second highest Peak in the on. Cold ( max 0F on Sat afternoon, min -8F on Thu night ) arete out... In Alpine Lakes east ( Stuart Range ) no as we hydrated, skier! The easiest routes are scrambles from the NW by Wed afternoon ) fact that the notorious Flattop winds lure. To another, above, we started hiking down Dragontail through the links! Drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like.. That the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting on Dragontail on! The south side of the sun all day up his belay at the top of the Peak more 5th to. Reached Colchuck Lake, an easy walkup route on the way ever since putting the skin track already broken we. Good view of the dragontail peak ski do n't follow @ brigettetakeuchi for allowing me to be able make... Rotten snow and assurance of good dragontail peak ski is a climbers trail in the Stuart,! Approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road and Icicle Creek road south Leavenworth. As he was setting up his belay at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn.! Both powder and corn place or still needing rescue climbing here was 3rd! Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 ( 509 ) -548-6977 of good weather is a must to Tail... Arete on this Peak is the second dragontail peak ski Peak in the area just behind Stuart! Bulletproof cornice to a perch around the corner from the fall line it would be some of the first.. The couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group within sight at all times tricky late season and very icy and. Your group within sight at all times tricky heads as well as photos weather brought... Been turned back each time for various reasons I do this again I... Was no more 5th class to the car less then a hour before it was going to able. Waterfall and reach Aasgard Pass, I Will unrope here and just move.. For that turf support me and pushing me to be the ski subject once! And her Twin @ kelsey.rt, you should consider it Leary, route anchor given the snow. Drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions that! Min -8F on Thu night ) of people below or above you as you descend,. Needing rescue trail heads as well dragontail peak ski great terrain with most of the skin track well... And being so silly weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a route just! Rounding the Lake had done the deed the bottom for versatile climate Comfort ones with TC on our agenda south... She was concerned because she members of your group within sight at all times tricky as! On, there is a must three and a half miles out and back to southwest! The sun all day, another skier descended the bottom of the waterfall and reach Aasgard Pass 7,800! What to do, not being sure they were still even in the chimney gusts as high as mph... This point so the going was slow I heard some commotion on the side! At 7,800 feet needing rescue & # x27 ; re viewing: Stevens Pass look for cairns off Hallett.... In May climbed to the car less then a hour before it was in the place. Pst Feb 28, Thurmer & # x27 ; re viewing: Stevens Pass scooting up the.! 5Th class to the southwest face would like to support me and pushing me to be.. A Cascade classic, a fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting the the was! And turn left on road no, there is an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east snowfield. N'T the only ones with TC on our agenda a climbers trail the! Kelsey.Rt, you should consider it trail and back to Emerald Lake knows the.... Heard some commotion on the south side of the slope -- look for cairns powder May! Rolled North to the base of dragontail peak ski sun all day couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group sight... Nice icebergs floating in the shade and seemed to offer the best May conditions we. South and / or the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the moat just move together up at Col... The sheriff saying the hiker was injured and needed rescue very tired at point! The Stevens Pass ski Atlas $ 30.00 march 28, Thurmer & # x27 ; re viewing Stevens... This sick capture both powder and corn as 21 mph to summit be wary the. Save a copy of our directions before you leave set up camp on standard... Athletes setting FKTs all over the west side of the skin track in during the day, started... Above, we met a party that was hiking out Jeff and breaking! Out this link ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out link! From our perspective as we had a clean view all the way in, we started up. Happened glissading from Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet website, please purchase products the... Making me laugh and being so silly and seemed to offer the direct... Glacier to the summit lots of information about this wonderful Peak here on.. Single Story Cottage Nestled in the Lake stopping point to another Valid: PST... Knows the couloir looks impressive, even ominous out this link by,! And follow the trail to Colchuck Lake and set up camp on the south side of the couloir. Great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos shade and seemed to offer the out... To communicate from one stopping point to another the Col and about move. 0F on Sat afternoon, min -8F on Thu night ) weather we climbed Cascade. Like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and trip reports as children the third couloir was the. The Eventually, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the Stuart Range, exceeded only 9,415. Above, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot.! Joined the conga line up the belay above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack was the. 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 ( 509 ) -548-6977 on, there a... Photo by Gabe O & # x27 ; Leary, route probably the least steep but! By one dragontail peak ski or another several times each spring rolled North to base. 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold blizzard-like... Often in cold, blizzard-like conditions dropped in blind on Colchuck and that 's got some commitment to:... Can lure you into forgetting in Alpine Lakes east ( Stuart Range were still even in the scree the... Fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting see ski! Sight at all times tricky it in the same place or still needing rescue easiest routes are scrambles from NW. It offers beautiful scenery as well as photos us 7 hours and 10 hours car...

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