With the end of the lift accessed resort season coming up fast I decided to make the most out of the powder and daylight. It had been a few days since it had last snowed but conditions were still good if you worked for it. Seeing that there were skin tracks everywhere I decided to link them up. I would do a full traverse from 3 Way Peak all the way to East Peak and ride the main lines along the way. It was ambitious but time and energy was on my side as I set a goal to ride all the lines in the Crystal Mountain Southback.
Three Way Peak in The Crystal Mountain Southback
Three Way represents the avy-controlled boundary for the Crystal Mountain Southback. It’s name comes from the fact that it drains into three separate basins. The ascent route was a quick skin up to the eastern col, and then a bootpack up to the summit. Fortunately, someone had already put in most the work by the time I had caught up to him. Arriving near the summit I just to put in the final steps. The descent was fun and I threw myself into the white room with every turn. The clouds of snow only lasted for only a few seconds, but it felt like several minutes. Soon I was back in the basin and heading for my next summit.
Joe’s Badass Shoulder in The Crystal Mountain Southback
This is the first true backcountry line past three way peak and outside of the avy-controlled resort terrain. It’s easily accessible with a quick traverse and bootpack from either Three Way Peak or the Silver Basin Area. Fortunately, most of the work breaking trail had been already done. Yet, as I arrived near the summit, I only encountered a few like-minded locals. Together, we divided up the many untracked lines to be had. One at a time we dropped in and found deep blower conditions before once again arriving at the Silver Basin.
Gunbarrel Peak in The Crystal Mountain Southback
Gunnbarrel is one of the single most consistent lines within the Silver Basin. It runs over 1000 vert running all the way down to Upper Hen Skin Lake. With a quick traverse and ascent up and around trees I made it up to the entrance. There were already two tracks heading down the gut so that was out of the question. Instead I decided to take a more sporty entrance off of the peak which is usually covered in rocks. Instead of heading into the gut I stayed high on the ridge. It was a good choice and I was surprised by how well the snow held up in the trees.
Dog Legged Peak in The Crystal Mountain Southback
The dog-legged chute and peak area has always seemed to be the training ground for local. You can find cornices, rock chutes and glades all from the top of the peak. It can be accessed with a 20 minute of bootpacking from the Quicksilver lift to its base. The best part of all is that the area is north-facing, and therefore holds snow late into the season.
Someone had already put the skin track in so I followed it up to the now-deserted bowl. I had originally planned on doing Dog Legged Chute heading to the summit. From my vantage point I notice 8 tracks down the gut and only 1 track into the bowl proper. It was an easy decision to go for the bowl. Following the solo track I made my way down the open bowl all the way to Henskin Lake. Once there I and into another well-made skintrack heading east.
Pickhandle Peak in The Crystal Mountain Backcountry
With terrain comparable to the inbounds “Powder Bowl” the basin off of Pickhandle Peak is another Crystal Slackcountry Classic. Situated directly uphill of the Gold Hills chair, this side of the mountain boasts a colorful history. The name is in reference to its old mining claims and an abandoned mining community. Pickhandle Peak is a yo-yo skier’s dream, since its wide-one north facing bowl. The terrain’s littered with mellow chutes, spines, and terrain features. In deeper years the whole thing into one big bowl. On my way out to Pickhandle I ran into 3 people heading in the same direction. After taking turns breaking trail we arrived on the peak proper. There was more than enough snow for us to share, as we each funneled down own chute. Before long I said goodbye and rode all the way to ski-area base for some some food and water.
Bullion’s Peak in The North Backcountry
Bullion’s Peak is another classic intro-to-skinning area with a mellow summer trail leading nearly to the summit proper. By the time I had reached the summer trail it was worn in by skinners, snowshoers, and the occasional boot-packer. As usual, I took advantage of this easy uphill travel. Once on top of the peak, however, I was surprised that I’d have my pick of untracked lines. I made my way down the main Northwest gully in sun-affected pow. Keeping speed I made my way down the drainage all the way to the base of Bullion’s Basin.
East Peak in The North Backcountry
East Peak is the first line that many might notice on the drive up to Crystal. With its long and wide-open terrain it’s situation directly across the way from the ski resort. The day was getting late as I skinned up the summer trail and quickly gained the ridge. Once there, I found myself engulfed in an all-out windstorm. Carefully finding some sheltered terrain, I transitioned and followed a sheltered bit of the nose of East Peak. Soon I was dropping into a north-facing roller, with spring-like conditions quickly deteriorating as I lost elevation. At the base of the line I made it to a groomed run for the final 500 feet. Soon I was at the base nearly 2400 feet below my starting point. It was a long day traversing the Crystal Mountain Southback backcountry but well worth the effort.
My Route
In sum, you can see a synopsis of my tour on the TOPO below. Red lines are descents; Yellow-Orage, ascents and traverses.
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