Gold Hill

1/11/2010 - Last Dollar Mountain & Gray Head

Run 1:

From Telluride, I drove west on CO-145 and north on Last Dollar Road to snow closure. I skinned up the road to a large switchback, then skinned up a trail to the Last Dollar Mountain-Gray Head saddle. From the saddle, I continued to the summit. I descended my ascent route to the saddle finding dry powder.

Gray Head

Run 2:

Next, I skinned up the southwest ridge of Last Dollar Mountain to the summit. I descended the east, then northeast ridge finding soft powder, but a thin snowpack overall.

Last Dollar Mountain

Run 3: Finally, I skinned up Last Dollar Road and the Whipple Trail as reconnaissance for the following day. I skied down the Whipple Trail and Last Dollar Road to the parking area.

Gray Head & Last Dollar Mountain Map

1/12/2010 - "S 10" & Whipple Mountain

Dave, Evan, George, Michelle & I skinned up Last Dollar Road, then up the Whipple Trail to the "S 10"-Whipple Mountain saddle, then up the north ridge of Whipple Mountain to the summit. We skied back to the saddle finding dry powder. Next, we skinned up the south ridge of "S 10", then contoured along the west face to a minor saddle west of "S 10". We dropped our skis here and climbed to the summit finding an aesthetic ridge between the south and north summits. We returned back to our skis and skied a south-facing gully back to the trail. The snow in the gully had a breakable suncrust.

"S 10"

Whipple Mountain

"S 10" & Whipple Mountain Map

1/13/2010 - Gold Hill & Bald Mountain

Becca & I skied at the resort. Of course, I had to climb some peaks that were within the boundary of the ski area. From the top of the Prospect Express lift, I descended to the Palmyra Peak-Bald Mountain saddle and skinned up to the summit of Bald Mountain, then descended the double black diamond run entitled Audrey. Next, from the top of the Revelation lift, I continued up a groomed road that leads just to the east Gold Hill.

Bald Mountain

Gold Hill

1/14/2010 - 9660 & Hastings Mesa

From Telluride, I drove west on CO-145, then north on the county road just east of Sawpit and parked at a wide area of road. I skinned west to the both summits of 9660, then descended my ascent route finding dry powder. Next I drove west on CO-145, east on CO-62 and south on Last Dollar Road to snow closure. I skinned up the road to a highpoint east of Hastings Mesa, then continued west to the summit finding more dry powder.

9660 Map

Hastings Mesa Map

1/15/2010 - Flat Top Peak

From Telluride, I drove west on CO-145 and south on Fall Creek Road to snow closure. I skinned up Fall Creek Road to a highpoint north of Flat Top Peak, then skinned south to the summit. The view of El Diente was breathtaking. I skied my ascent route finding excellent powder.

Flat Top Peak Map