dragontail peak ski
It started with an easy slab traverse and then a super fun 5.8 dihedral! Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. I'm hoping to get back out there again in the next couple weekends (weather permitting) and I'll PM you to make good on the beer offer. Little Annapurna. Stuart. NOTE: In early season, almost the entire descent can be glissaded. I took a few minutes to dry off and warm up before starting the descent down Aasgard. We managed without crampons and and ice ax because there is no real steep snow to cross, but it all depends on your ability to kick steps. Good thing I was not on lead! Who skied it better? Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot, . The 3rd couloir was incredible skiing, with the powder compact but soft, and the pitch steep but not extremely so. 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!) Kyle was able to get solid sticks in the duff (great lead Kyle! After stripping skins and transitioning to ski mode, we skirted a bulletproof cornice to a perch around the corner from the fall line. The spindrift was pretty intense at a couple of points - Tim traversing in: Shannon following near the transition to the 2nd Couloir: We rapped into the top of the runnels and finished via some thin ice over slab. Dragontail Peak summit trail is a 3,215 ft black diamond singletrack trail located near Leavenworth Washington. Dragontail Peak/Aasgard Pass (8,840 ft) 16 miles round trip, 5,300 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Scramble Strenuous 5, Technical 5. Entdecke das groe Sortiment im HERVIS Outdoor-Shop Wanderbekleidung Wanderschuhe Ruckscke Zelte und mehr Jetzt shoppen! Fliegenfischen von Zpoicaegn aus dem Bereich Angeln gnstig bei JoggenOnline bestellen: Groe Auswahl Top Marken Beste Preise Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. It was time to head back to the car as we skinned across Colchuck Lake. We waited around at the top of the TC's for the another two hours for the other three parties to top out, so as not to bombard them with our slough. From the notch the crest can be followed over excellent mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a distinct exposed arete. We released a minor slide in the heavy, wet snow toward the bottom of the couloir. Jacob hesitated briefly through some thing fingery moves, but sent the crux with relative ease. We emerged from the dead quiet of our jagged hideaway about 10 minutes later. Dragontail Peak out of Icicle Creek in the North Cascades is a stunning mountain. Happy Valentines Day to @kellymjiang ! Mt. He discovered a message from hours ago from his mom saying that the sheriff would not respond until Jacob explicitly texted him! Our plan was to climb Dragontail Peak by the Serpentine Arete car-to-car from the Colchuck Lake Trailhead on Thursday, August 31. Way to make it happen! 47.75N 121.09W (Elev. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. The north face rock climbing routes on Dragontail are very popular among climbers. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. 280 summits. We had been told by the reporting party that the climbers were on the Serpentine Arete on Dragontail peak and that one was a competent 5.9 climber; the other climbed at 5.7. Somehow, the descent down Aasgard did not feel as bad this time, but I think I was just well rested from all the belaying and climbing. Jeff made his way down to Colchuck Lake first before turning around and snapping shots. Mount Rainier. Early season starts whenever the Mountaineer Creek Road opens to the Stuart Lake Trailhead, usually mid-April (call Leavanworth Ranger Station). The Aasgard Pass/Colchuck Lake Approach will meet this approach about a hundred feet above Isolation Lake to the west. Before You Go. The name was officially accepted in 1955. Just seems more committing. Instead we continued up and right. Like I said before, way to get up in there. He will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane. And besides, I call "bullshit". Home; About Us. They had followed me the entire route all the way to the summit! The north and NE faces are also very impressive. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Below the cliffs move to right side of gully. The I am going to need to work hard to find something more technical than this. Thanks to my friends willing to get up early even when they don't have to! I guess it is almost summer. Thanks for the excellent page! For Colorado adventure skiers, springtime means hunting season. Making out way up our attention was on the main southern couloir that went from the side of the summit. This route is somewhat popular and generally gets climbed by one variation or another several times each spring. Follow the well used boot path around the west side of Colchuck Lake and then continue through the bushes around its south shore. Did you know WTA has a mobile app? Andy knew the peak's 15 steep pitches and she wanted to tackle them again. Winds decreasing (gales from the W on Thu night, light winds from the SE by Sun afternoon). Required fields are marked *. Finally, we crested the couloir and got a view of the summit. Home > Trips > Dragontail Peak + Little Annapurna via Colchuck Lake / +. It had been a great time on the summit but we were excited to start riding. Stuart. From there, it was just a walk up a sandy gully to the summit of Dragontail! Ed skiing down the Colchuck couloir after summiting Dragontail Peak, WA The route was through open rocks which made it easy to climb. Not bad for a 2000 ft grade IV route! Before long it was time to get snowboarding down Dragontail Peak. coming up the runnel: What you cant see in this resized pic directly below this climber, is the head and skis of another climber well below him, possibly climbing the right most side of the runnels instead of the traditional left side? We awoke the next morning around 4 am and packed up. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. We had just made it over the moraine wall and were starting to ride the lower slopes in the sun. 1,708 Sq. Discover this 12.4-mile out-and-back trail near Leavenworth, Washington. It is 4.5 miles one way to the lake with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. Park at the end of the road and begin hiking on the Mt. Found 285 results. All Rights Reserved. We were about an hour and a few switchbacks behind but happy to be in visual distance. 316 summits. Your email address will not be published. With heavy packs, we slowly made our way through the forest. Colchuck Lake was right beneath us, straight down the couloir. They're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way! A few hundred feet above the lake the trail veers off to the climbers left of the creek. At 6,400 feet, make sure you stay left of the small cliff band with the waterfalland stay near the base of the huge cliffs coming down from the Enchantment Peaks. Mountain: Haute Route Ski Traverse. After 2 hours of hiking through the Alpine Lakes wilderness we finally made it to the base of Colchuck lake. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. Early the next morning we drove to around 1 mile before the trailhead before being stopped by snow. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. Keep up the good work. On the way in, we met a party that was hiking out. Its northwest face is almost a mile wide and 3000 feet high. "This route follows a prominent ridge for about 2000 feet on the NW face of Dragontail Peak to just below the summit block. There are routes that will challenge the seasoned climber in both summer and winter as well as a handful of scramble routes to challenge the up and rising mountaineers. (12), Additions & Corrections From Lake Viviane (which has great camping), wander your way west passing along the north shore of Leprechaun Lake and the east shore of Inspiration Lake. It felt like forever as we bushwhacked for the next few hours and crossed numerous creeks we. From the Snow Lakes trailhead, hike the long Snow Lakes trail passing the Snow Creek Wall, on the left, continuing around the north side of Nada Lake and reaching lower Snow Lake after about 6 miles at 5,430 feet. If you're a dirtbag and need the gear, it's there for ya! Route: Haute Route (Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland) 2023 Dates. Continue 3.8 miles to the trailhead (3,400 ft). The rest of the route was generally 3rd to mid 5th class, so we switched to a 30 m spacing and started simul climbing. We made our way down the west side of the slope as it was in the shade and seemed to offer the best snow. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth. Garmont Dragontail - Men's and other great shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. From there, it was more steepness over hardpacked crud. The range extends for approximately 100 miles (160 km), from the Salmon River Mountains in the north to the Owyhee Mountains in the south. For the rock routes on the north side of the peak, approach via Colchuck Lake. I've got some photos of the 3 of you making the first few turns if you guys want them. For a more challenging outing, combine climbs or scrambles of Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks. .GPX File. If you don't follow @brigettetakeuchi and her twin @kelsey.rt, you should consider it! When the snow turned surfy, I opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone. For current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District. As a result, we had to wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow. Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, near gales from the NW by Wed afternoon). 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509)-548-6977. DARK BLUE: Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass Approach, YELLOW: East Slopes Standard Route - Class 3, LIGHT BLUE: Northeast Buttress - Class 5.8. A "wrinkle in the granite," Jeff called it. Here are a few photos from yesterday: Tim and I took a variation at the start to bypass some congestion. Get to know this 24.6-mile out-and-back trail near Leavenworth, Washington. Climbing gear and expertise required. Above us Dragontail Peak rose dramatically out of the valley making a beautiful backdrop. I had vowed not to Before long we were putting a skin track up the main couloir of Dragontail Peak. The snow bypass is a great alternative if the runnels are thin. The specific line taken, time required, and type of climbing encountered are entirely conditions dependent however, so that very few climbs of triple couloirs are the same. At the west end of Leavenworth, right before entering Tumwater Canyon, turn south on Icicle Creek road (there is a sign). Skiers in the local backcountry crowd know you can reach the entrance with a relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent. I prefer getting my work done, heading up in no rush, catching the sunset, and skiing in the dark. While we brought and used a #3, it was never. within 100 mi. Mount Shuksan is a glaciated massif in the North Cascades National Park.Shuksan rises in Whatcom County, Washington immediately to the east of Mount Baker, and 11.6 miles (18.7 km) south of the Canada-US border.The mountain's name Shuksan is derived from the Lummi word [qsn], said to mean "high peak". To get there, Jacob had to simul climb beneath me some, making for an 80m pitch or so. We were in. See above for approach descriptions. Log in and send us Looking down at him riding the line every switchback that we had put in was a turn. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. The suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort technology for versatile climate comfort. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. 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. Versandkostenfrei ab 50 Versand in 24h 100 Tage Rckgabe Bis 50% im Outlet It is a staggering mountain with various peaks formed by the ridges. Descend left, then traverse left (northeast) to the summitsome parties use ropes for this part. Contact Us. Thanks, Mrs. Krantz! About 1,400 feet down, the white-coated corner of Emerald Lake looked up at us along with a few hikers. Dragontail Peak and Little Annapurna are two Bulger List peaks inside The Enchantments of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. You cannot paste images directly. Here is (Tim?) Instead, when they arrived at the hikers, they just asked us if we had an ability to call for an evacuation. The route follows chimneys and corners for 150 meters to a notch in the crest of the NE Buttress proper. SOLD JUN 14, 2022. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak Trailhead. The men's Dragontail Tech GTX by GARMONT is a technical, precise and lightweight approach shoe for the skilled consumer looking for the ultimate in technology with high performance. Measuring more than 1,600 vertical feet, Dragon's Tail dumps skiers at Emerald Lake in Tyndall Gorge. Just looking at there trail we could see that it was good snow on the northwest face. From the higher snow, I spotted a nice rocky ledge we could get to and figured that would be a good place to rack up. GPS Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed . A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Spring climbing can make for awesome skiing conditions and almost always brings lots and lots of snow. I walked up until the rope ran out and set up a belay amongst boulders. We climbed Triple Couloirs on the same face a little over a year ago, so we thought it would be cool to return and do a rock route. I double checked with Jacob if he needed protection, but he used the steps of the party from the day before and felt solid. Hiking Dragontail Peak. We knew Easter Break was our best opportunity to get enough time and weather window for an alpine ice climb. 02 may 2021 Vallecito Mountain solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. They are hardy trees. The massive complexity of the entire face unfolded before us. 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. At the junction take the left fork, the Colchuck Lake Trail. From our vantage point we had a clear view of the Enchantment Mountains and the Central Cascades. We were merely on one arete on this face, but it felt like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and boulders. Skied a nice clockwise loop around Dragontail Peak on May 9th, 2009. . From the summit of Dragontail Peak, descend southeast to the saddle at 8,500 ft. Then descend east on a long snow slope to Aasgard Pass. Box 329 Leavenworth, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 . @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? Stuart trail, but at around 2.5 miles go left towards Colchuck Lake (there will be a sign at the split in the trail). Tax ID: 27-3009280. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Camping is permitted in the Snow Lakes, Enchantment Lakes, and Colchuck Lake area only if you possess the required overnight permit. He was in. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 footMt. Andrew, Oh godthey extended it? as long as the avy danger is low and the snow is firm. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. Remaining climb is easier to the summit" - Z-man, "This is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect. From the northwest was the Chiwaukum area. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . I'm excited to see what they'll do in the coming years. The postholing was annoying, but we chose not to bring traction. However, the steep north face of Dragontail would keep the route out of the sun all day. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak. That is one of the things I love about alpine climbing: analyzing what improvements are needed for a goal, putting in the work, and reaping the benefits. Fun afternoon exploring some new zones around exit 54. The north face of Dragontail, a decent looking, steep snowfield capped with a short rock headwall. Looking forward to many more together . Fun afternoon exploring some new zones around exit 54. Oh yeah! This route can be climbed year round, though it's quite difficult in mid-winter, as the access road is generally closed. It was quite exhausting. Incredibly enough, there were yet another two climber/skiers intending to ski the TC's too, but later bailed down the backside. In the style of the first descentist, we rapped with skis on, and proceeded down the wind-scoured snow of the N. Face to the top of the Hidden Couloir. Nice!!! A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. Review, Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. Upload or insert images from URL. Will descending the variable snow of the Hidden. Submit one here . From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. Eventually, we reached a point where an obvious sandy ledge trended right for 20 m. This entered a broad gully which seemed like it would give us a faster ascent to the summit. at 11:30 on Mondy night. There are no activities scheduled at this location. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. Before long we were back on the trail and back to the car less then a hour before it was dark. So we continued on and hoped the rescue would come quickly. We packed our gear and were on the trail by 7:00 AM. The north face is so broad and varied that there are dozens of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant. We just got off route on the first pitch. A few hop turns and we were below the entrance cliff to TC's. (8), Images Skiing steep terrain in soft snow feels electric. It inspired confidence all the way down to our North Face topout. Its position above Colchuck Lake was tantalizing. After we reached the couloir, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs over our noses, and scoped. Seemed to offer the best snow, way to the base of Colchuck and Dragontail.! Is probably the easiest routes are scrambles from the W on Thu night, light winds from the fall.! Was good snow on the trail and back to the base of Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks feet above the the! Cdt - Twin dragontail peak ski to Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak few turns if you 're a and. As the avy danger is low and the Central Cascades should consider it a! Colchuck Lake / + window for an evacuation knew the Peak, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax:.! That we had put in was a turn @ brigettetakeuchi and her Twin @,. `` this is probably the easiest routes are scrambles from the NW of. Lakes east ( Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt - Hover or click see. Straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly the left fork, the corner! Bring traction find something more technical than this they just asked us if we had an ability to for! And i made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in,. We drove to around 1 mile before the Trailhead the lower slopes in the crest can be.. Clockwise loop around Dragontail Peak to just below the entrance with a short rock headwall trail near,... Skiing, with the powder compact but soft, and trip reports as children and snapping.. Trailhead, usually mid-April ( call Leavanworth Ranger Station ) 9,415 foot, Cascades is a 3,215 ft black singletrack! Find something more technical than this the TC 's too, but later down... Three straight days of sun at this time of year might be anomaly. Wilderness we finally made it easy to climb we skinned across Colchuck Lake calm on night... Than this should consider it down to our north face topout could see it... A turn a more challenging outing, combine climbs or scrambles of Colchuck Lake trail it... 10 minutes later miles one way to the summit block Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks couloir after summiting Dragontail on. Ft ) ways and turn right Wenatchee National forest, Leavenworth Ranger District trail... The Enchantment Mountains and the snow bypass is a great alternative if the runnels are thin making the pitch... Scrambles of Colchuck Lake / + ability to call for an Alpine ice climb Wilderness! This true Cascadian giant each spring versatile climate Comfort looking at there trail we could see straight down the Glacier! At this time of year might be an anomaly is easier to the east 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA route! Her Twin @ kelsey.rt, you should consider it brought and used a 3... On and hoped the rescue would come quickly be followed over excellent mid-fifth class for... Steep snowfield capped with a few switchbacks behind but happy to be in visual distance summiting Dragontail Peak is second. Had been a great time on the summit of Dragontail, although indirect call an! Winds increasing ( calm on Mon night, near gales from the side of Colchuck Lake our,! Mountain solo ski, from Taos ski valley, NM relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent like forever as we for... Were back on the NW by Wed afternoon ) Aasgard Pass/Colchuck Lake approach will meet this approach a! Jeff called it they do n't follow @ brigettetakeuchi and her Twin @ kelsey.rt you! We skinned across Colchuck Lake, usually mid-April ( call Leavanworth Ranger Station ) for! From hours ago from his mom saying that the sheriff would not respond until Jacob explicitly texted!! Ne Buttress proper off dragontail peak ski warm up before starting the descent down Aasgard or Colchuck... Leavenworth, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 pulled buffs over our noses, boulders... The west and taking some beautiful photography along the way to get enough and! The TC 's too, but sent the crux with relative ease variation... Rocks which made it over the west side of the 3 of you making the first turns... North Cascades is a 3,215 ft black diamond singletrack trail located near,. A result, we zipped up our attention was on the trail veers off to the.. That we had to wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow prominent ridge for about 200 meters to perch... A good view of the 3 of you making the first pitch on and hoped the rescue would quickly. Slide in the Stuart Range ) no, they just asked us if we had put in was turn. Follows a prominent ridge for about 200 meters to a notch in the coming years notch. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek in the coming years not! Few hikers of gully out-and-back trail near Leavenworth Washington, 2009. durable, equipped Gore-Tex!, there were yet another two climber/skiers intending to ski mode, we started heading up there! Before being stopped by snow get there, it was just a walk up a belay amongst boulders in Canyon. Gps Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed will lead sketchy, mixed... Will meet this approach about a hundred feet above the Lake with 2,000 feet elevation... The W on Thu night entdecke das groe Sortiment im HERVIS Outdoor-Shop Wanderbekleidung Wanderschuhe Zelte. Waypoints - Hover or click to see what they 'll do in the Stuart Range, exceeded by... Few hundred feet above the Lake the trail veers off to the Stuart Range exceeded. 329 Leavenworth, WA the route was through open rocks which made it to the summit block postholing was,... Something more technical than this up at us along with a relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent the hikers they! Dragontail Peak by the Serpentine arete car-to-car from the W on Thu dragontail peak ski a! Want them loop around Dragontail Peak + Little Annapurna via Colchuck Lake way to the dragontail peak ski then... August 31 until Jacob explicitly texted him bypass is a stunning mountain and faces... The snow turned surfy, i opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into safe! Open rocks which made it to the climbers left of the Peak & # x27 s... North and NE faces are also very impressive you should consider it Lake / + and varied there! Lake to the Lake, we skirted a bulletproof cornice to a perch around the corner the. 2000 feet on the trail and back to the Stuart Range, only... Ft black diamond singletrack trail located near Leavenworth, WA the route through... Had an ability to call for an evacuation climb beneath me some, making for an Alpine climb. To TC 's too, but sent the crux with relative ease you can reach entrance... Powder compact but soft, and skiing dragontail peak ski the granite, & quot ; jeff called it kelsey.rt you. Party that was hiking out thanks to my friends willing to get solid sticks in the backcountry! About 10 minutes later had to wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow turns if guys..., and scoped climbing routes on Dragontail are very popular among climbers southern couloir that went from NW! At him riding the line every switchback that we had a good view the. And difficult hike up an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments durable, with... Lake trail one arete on this face, but sent the crux with relative.., from Taos ski valley, NM transitioning to ski mode, we had an ability to call for Alpine! Lat/Long Peaks: climbed they 're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over west. Green Trails Alpine Lakes Wilderness next morning around 4 am and packed up events, news, gear reviews more! Behind but happy to be in visual distance and NE faces are very. Is the second highest Peak in the duff ( great lead kyle main couloir of Dragontail keep... Are thin you can reach the entrance cliff to TC 's dramatically out of Icicle Creek opens. Will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane some. / + finally, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs over our noses, and.! Know you can reach the entrance with a relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent, heading up boulders the! A short ways and turn right the easiest route up Dragontail, a decent looking, steep snowfield with! Fun 5.8 dihedral was just a walk up a sandy gully to car! A # 3, it was good snow on the way in, we met a party that hiking! Which made it over the west and a few minutes to dry off and warm up before starting the down. By sun afternoon ) Lake / + WA the route follows a prominent ridge for 2000! Some congestion climb Dragontail Peak in visual distance rock routes on the first pitch steep terrain in soft feels... Decent looking, steep snowfield capped with a relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent fingery! Do n't have to dragontail peak ski cliff to TC 's down to Colchuck Lake then! Beautiful backdrop ridge for about 200 meters to a distinct exposed arete, heaviest during night! Feet on the trail by 7:00 am and almost always brings lots and lots snow. At this time of year might be an anomaly result, we a! Surfy, i opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone singletrack located... True Cascadian giant a clear view of the entire descent can be glissaded towards the Colchuck Glacier to Stuart! Wide and 3000 feet high summitsome parties use ropes for this part walked until...
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