Crown Point is a great Peak in the Crystal Mountain Backcountry as in has numerous different aspects. With the different slopes you can find numerous styles of terrain from the summit. Knowing that the snow was good on all aspects Boot, Jenni and I put in a solid skin track. The plan was to make the most out of the day and work with terrain to ride numerous aspects off Crown Point. It was Jenni’s only day to explore the backcountry so I wanted to make the most out of it.

Heading up the Bullion Basin Trail

The crew was Jenni, Boot and I as we started skinning outside the Crystal Resort at 8:30 in the morning watching the morning alpenglow on our backs. It was a stunning day as we made our way up the Gold Hills Groomer heading for the Bullion Basin trail.

 

Before long we were following the summer PCT trail up we wrapped around into Bullion Basin. We could tell by the snow on the trees that it was going to be good conditions anywhere following a well beaten in skin track.

 

Soon we were wrapping around the final switchback before heading up onto the ridge of Bullion Peak. The sun was by now filtered through the clouds and it was our hope that it was preserving the south slopes of Crown Point.

 

Wrapping Around Bullion Peak

Soon enough we were on the ridge line with Crystal Mountain in the background. This was my wife’s first real good look at my home ski resort and it was glowing in the sun. Looking back at the area I gave her a quick breakdown of the terrain before we kept moving towards the ridge.

 

Before long we were back in the sun as we crested the ridge. All of the eastern slopes were being lit up by the early morning sun and we were minutes from Crown Point. We were on a race against time as our first run would be south facing.

 

Riding the South Face of Crown Point

After 2 hours of skinning we were on the summit of Crown Point taking in the views. There was no wind as we transitioned for our first lap. Below us was wide open slopes where we would ride to the gully before skinning back up.

 

I dropped down a little bit so I could snap photos of both of them. From the first turn it was great snow and although there was an old tracks they had been buried by the winds. Once I was set up Boot dropped in with scenic turns with the Morse Creek area behind him.

 

After Boot was at a safe spot it was time for Jenni to drop in. This would be her first run in the Washington State backcountry and she was able to enjoy some great turns off the summit.

 

I could hear her hooting and hollering as she made her turns into the valley bellow. Crown Point was the perfect introduction to my home mountains. Soon enough we were down in the terrain where it started to tighten up with trees. It was time to head up but above us was 1000 feet of south facing slopes with 3 tracks in it.

 

After our first line we skinned back up to the summit of Crown Point taking in the views while the winds started to pick up. It was starting to get cloudier and the weather was deteriorating but still more then enough visibility to keep going.

 

Riding the East Slope of Crown Point

From the top of Crown Point we moved over to the east slopes. From there we kicked off some cornices and couldn’t get the snow to move. Feeling secure with the snow pack we carefully rode into the NE basin.

 

After making our way through the upper face we traversed over towards the main col and dropped into the open swath below. This area was wind loaded and having a north facing aspect we knew it would deliver some great turns.

 

Knowing there was a gully that went down a ways below we decided to keep riding as long as the snow was good.

 

Soon we made it into the gully and decided to ride until it became to tight. With every turn the area got tighter and tighter but the snow was so good we kept going.

 

Working with the bumps and sidewalls we were able to make it near the base of Union Creek. By now it was just getting to tight so it was time to skin back up our tracks to Crown Point,

 

By the end of the run it was about 2 in the afternoon and we had around 2 hours of light left. Knowing that we decided it was time for one final skin back up to the ridge. We would have one last 2,500 foot run to head back to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.

 

Back on Crown Point Ridge for a Descent to Crystal Mountain

Once on the ridge we skinned across looking at potential lines. We decided to take a west facing gully near Bullion Peak as it looked like it was in great condition. There were some old tracks but by now they were buried from snow loading. After transitioning Boot was happy to drop in first heading towards the steep crux below.

 

After he had disappeared Jenni and I made our way down. It was fast and smooth sun as we made our turns with Crystal Mountain being our backdrop.

 

Soon we were on the last steep face and riding towards Gold Hill. Our run had diverted around the Waterfall at the base of Pickhandle Basin so there was no stress. Just fall line turns from top to bottom.

 

After a quick and easy flat we were riding down Gold Hills and back to the parking lot. We had made the most out of conditions and it was a great introduction for Jenni. It’s always great to show people the places that you grew up around and how it shapes yourself to be the person you are today. As always I have to thank Boot for being a great partner and my wife for letting me put her up to it.

Thank you for reading this trip riding on Crown Point. If you want to see more ski tours within Crystal Mountain Backcountry check out this link.