Nice route guys.I'm envious as all hell. This route is somewhat popular and generally gets climbed by one variation or another several times each spring. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "skidragontailpeak" Flickr tag. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. 25 apr 2021 Sin Nombre solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. and peak combinations. 357. I'm too wussy to drop in blind, especially on a route like TC's. This page was transferred to me by Bob Bolton. The north face is so broad and varied that there are dozens of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant. Like I said before, way to get up in there. you can take at this route/place. The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. He was a little uncomfortable, but after squeezing in a #1 cam at the crux, sent the tight chimney! Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. Once in the couloir, we enjoyed a great ski down to near the Colchuck-Dragontail Col. 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. Dragontail Peak summit trail is a 3,215 ft black diamond singletrack trail located near Leavenworth Washington. Thanks, Mrs. Krantz! Parts of each of the Triple Couloirs are visible cutting the center of the peak, and the Gerber Sink follows runnels connecting prominent snow bands to the right of center, finishing in the 3rd couloir. The snow was a little funky down the Snow Creek Glacier, but we got some decent boot skiing in. The north and NE faces are also very impressive. At least the endless windboard is par for the course! $480,000 Last Sold Price. We climbed to the top of the Hidden Couloir, and broke out onto the North Face. Chad Zuber/Shutterstock The enchanting Dragontail Peak. Stevens Pass WA. Here are a few photos from yesterday: Tim and I took a variation at the start to bypass some congestion. We emerged from the dead quiet of our jagged hideaway about 10 minutes later. Hopefully one day someone will be able to ski continuously through the runnels section that would fuk'n, one note: You guys missed the best, and most exhilarating skiing of the route however, which the transition between the third and middle couloirs, and the middle couloir itself! Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. From Colchuck Col scramble northwest to the summit. Eventually, the gully led us back to the ridge crest. Triple Couloirs 4/1/2017. There are two trailheads used to climb Dragontail. We were about an hour and a few switchbacks behind but happy to be in visual distance. Now the weekend, there were more campers arriving. But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. The sheriff had responded! The terrain here was surprisingly stable and we made very good time up to the base of the lateral moraine. It was a good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the belay. Low around 21. Who skied it better? 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. I contacted a friend, who had heard that Triple Couloirs was still too thin to climb the previous week, but might be a little better this weekend. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks http://hatchsandwich.com/, Your email address will not be published. At first the trail parallels Mountaineer Creek and gains 1,100 feet in 2.5 miles. We efficiently switched between simuling and brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections. With solid hand and foot holds we pushed up the final 20 feet and soon enough we were on the summit. For the rock routes on the north side of the peak, approach via Colchuck Lake. I chimneyed with my feet on the rock and back and butt against the snow, scooting up the moat. So we continued on and hoped the rescue would come quickly. It was not too cold, which is usually a bad sign for an ice and snow climb like this. I've had my eye on the N. Face of Dragontail all season as it relates to Triple Couloirs. The I am going to need to work hard to find something more technical than this. (8), Images The route here climbs through the runnels, some ice gullies that can be either fat, easy ice or paper thin ice sheets on top of slabby rock. Most climbed peaks Popular peaks. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. 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. Hand cracks are his specialty. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 We conducted a thorough search of Dragontail, including this route and all moats at its base. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. My main skill on display was an ability to tread extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob. Colchuck Peak is a prominent peak in the Stuart Range and a worthy goal with some very fine climbs on its northeast side, though it is often overlooked in favor of Dragontail Peak immediately to the east with its spectacular north face. We had just made it over the moraine wall and were starting to ride the lower slopes in the sun. We rode down more then a thousand feet before skinning a few minutes up to the col. Back up at the north col we were excited. 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. Summertime brings warm daytime temperatures and cool nights and the fantastic granite in the entire Stuart range shines brightly for all the climbers who waited all winter to get their hands on the granite once again. Traverse just below the summit ridge to its south side until you arrive at the highest point and scramble to the top. 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. Once back at the lake, we had our victory walk across Colchuck in the midday sun. That's a shame. Looking back we would occasionally see our tracks now in the shade. The north face of Dragontail, a decent looking, steep snowfield capped with a short rock headwall. This includes side trips, extensions 350 feet above the notch, locate the highest point on the jagged summit ridge (difficult in whiteout conditions) and hike to its base. Forecast Valid: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm PST Mar 6, 2023. We packed our gear and were on the trail by 7:00 AM. Changing into our trail shoes two miles before the car was a great welcome. (12), Additions & Corrections No description for Dragontail Peak summit trail trail has been added yet! - Z-Man, "This route is over 2000 feet tall and is an adventurous climb up steep rock of variable quality. I yelled to some skiers lower down on the glacier who were hiking up, hoping they could help out the injured hiker and maybe lower him on skis to a safer place. Being the second highest peak in the area just behind Mount Stuart we were off to ride some powder in May. We crossed to a rock island and followed fourth class ledges up to a higher snow finger. Some of us had to work this weekend, so thanks for the vicarious dose of alpine life. To the West we could see Colchuck Peak and the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman. Home > Trips > Dragontail Peak + Little Annapurna via Colchuck Lake / +. Although this route is one of the easier routes for any high Bulger, it isn't a cakewalk and good fitness is required to make it happen. During the day, we were radioed additional information that they might be on . Awesome! Continue reading, 93 Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it? 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. It was the safer thing to do. Photo: John. From there, it was more steepness over hardpacked crud. This is the standard route up Dragontail peak and involves moderate angled snow climbing and easy Class 2+ scrambling. We got back to the car in the evening, logging a total time of about 13:45, pretty solid considering we were moving casually, dealt with the rescue, had to route find a lot, and I even went swimming! The Jaws of a Giant. Thats definitely a first time experience! I met up with Dan in Bellevue and we made the long drive towards Icicle Creek. Garmont Dragontail - Men's and other great shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. Submit one here . The snow had set up a few days and settled mostly, so we felt safe after a few turns. To the southwest you could see Mount Stuart and Sherpa Peak. I stuck more to the face, trusting my picks in super thin ice. Monday Night: Snow. I'm stoked to be back in Alaska! However, the answer quickly became clear. View Dragontail Peak Image Gallery - 363 Images. Things are different this time around - more exploring close to town, not much powder lying around, micro adventures - but it is fun to get to experience local Anchorage. For scramblers, a climb of Dragontail is a great addition to a backpacking trip to the Enchantment Lakes. The rest can easily be simul climbed or soloed. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot, . There is one section that constricts to the length of my skis, and a self-beloay with axe was handy to sideslip this short, steep section of snow over rock. Looks like fun. The immensity of the north face of Dragontail was amazing. From the Mountaineer Creek trailhead at the end of the Eightmile Road, begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes. I manage to flop out of the icy water like a beach whale and enjoyed a frozen minute of sun bathing on a little iceberg. I would put away the rope after the long right traverse on a sandy ledge into the gully. Though most of the area was in the sun it was still easy to find areas in the shade. Riding down we would work with the light kicking up snow in the sun. Ice climbing was the fastest skill we had ever learned. 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". It began to hit us why this was such a famous climb. The 3rd couloir was incredible skiing, with the powder compact but soft, and the pitch steep but not extremely so. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. Excellent page - very helpful. Garmont Dragontail Tech GTX - Men's and other great waterproof shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. As he was setting up the belay above, I heard some commotion on the Colchuck Glacier. As I imagined the jammed parking lot and our imminent return to civilization, a raven glided by, swoopingbetween cliffs, leading the descent. The climbing here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. Skied the Triple Couloirs on Dragontail Peak yesterday. Making out way up our attention was on the main southern couloir that went from the side of the summit. It had been a long day but well worth it. It was supposed to be mostly 4th class ledges, but he went too far right and got into some legitimate mid 5th terrain. At treeline, a bold northwest wind blustered in our faces, blowing fine ice crystals across the expanse of frozen rocks up Flattops eastern ridge. After we reached the couloir, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs over our noses, and scoped. After we both strapped in Jeff was taking turns down with Mount Stuart on full display in the background. It was frustrating and awkward. It had been a great time on the summit but we were excited to start riding. Great! Ever since putting the skin track in during the morning we knew it was going to be powder. Additional information. Below the cliffs move to right side of gully. The exact pitch count is not essential as the upper 2/3rds of the route are low 5th class (with some mid-5th steps) and belays can be had at any time. searching for extra of your magnificent post. Way to make it happen! Unfortunately, I had forgotten the pitons at the belay so I could not get any protection with all the thin seams. SOLD JUN 14, 2022. Stuart. Route: Haute Route (Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland) 2023 Dates. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. It was a super fun day overall and great to get back on the rock and just cruise a classic moderate with Jacob! The Hidden starts off steep and remains so, all the way to the exit. At least the endless windboard is par for the course! 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. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. We were in. Tax ID: 27-3009280. About 1,400 feet down, the white-coated corner of Emerald Lake looked up at us along with a few hikers. Stuart trail, but at around 2.5 miles go left towards Colchuck Lake (there will be a sign at the split in the trail). Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Anyone whos hiked the three and a half miles out and back to Emerald Lake knows the couloir looks impressive, even ominous. In the fall, the area becomes world famous for the larch trees that turn golden yellow beginning in early October. Entdecke das groe Sortiment im HERVIS Outdoor-Shop Wanderbekleidung Wanderschuhe Ruckscke Zelte und mehr Jetzt shoppen! Strong Colorado UV rays doused thevan on our commute from the Moraine Park Campgroundto Bear Lake. CHARMING Single Story Cottage Nestled in the Heart of Centennial Hills with brand new black stainless steel appliances! I am very thankful to be able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful peak here on SummitPost. He was approaching it Teleross style, by hiking up the backside, and planned to do the raps. Dragontail Peak and Little Annapurna are two Bulger List peaks inside The Enchantments of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. While we brought and used a #3, it was never. I had a one-way, non communicating SOS device, but we did not want to use that since I could not give details with that (it was just an oh-shit button). From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. Colchuck Lake was right beneath us, straight down the couloir. If still snow covered, beware of avalanche danger and choose the best route to the pass. (jOkE!). This post may contain affiliate links. Its position above Colchuck Lake was tantalizing. 316 summits. Thanks! Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -10C on Wed afternoon, min -17C on Sun night). Glad we did not go that way! On March 28, Thurmer's wife called 911 and said she was concerned because she . Triple Couloirs could and likely has been climbed in every condition imaginable, and has even been skied, and it is up to the climber to decide what sort of ice and snow coverage is acceptable for their attempt on any of the established variations." A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. He suspected he had a broken knee. It was still fun climbing and goes in probably almost any condition. 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. The Stuart range sure holds a lot of fun for such a compact area. After 4 miles is the Snow Lakes trailhead parking lot on the left side of the road at 2,200 feet elevation. Alternatively, ~30 feet below Pandora's Box, exit left and scramble up Class 4 rock about 20 feet, then follow the ridge line left. Above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack. Ascend southeast on a broad, steep slope to Aasgard Pass. Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. During my last year at Gonzaga, I made it a priority to learn to ice climb with the more accessible ice in the region. The lower part of the ridge is the steepest, with several pitches of fun . For example, the After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7's Powder Wagon. This ascent from Colchuck Lake gains 2,200 feet in 3/4 of a mile! - Supermarmot, Routes .GPX File. Required fields are marked *. Versandkostenfrei ab 50 Versand in 24h 100 Tage Rckgabe Bis 50% im Outlet It was strange to see others with the same intent on the same day, conincidentally. There was a hiker directly below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a few hundred feet. In the upper half of the pitch, I kept wandering upwards, eventually running out of rope and needing Jacob to simul a few feet to make a belay. The crux of the route is moving from the first "hidden" couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. 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. At this point, most of the steep climbing was finished. Early season starts whenever the Mountaineer Creek Road opens to the Stuart Lake Trailhead, usually mid-April (call Leavanworth Ranger Station). But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. 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. 02 may 2021 Vallecito Mountain solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7s Powder Wagon. The Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As he was setting up his belay at the top, one guy appeared below me. Our route out was brutal as we battled the thick forests. 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. This route is long and committing! By now the snow had turned to slush but it was a fun line non the less. Sure, email them to me: touring29@gmail.com. While there was apparently a conga line on the West Ridge of Prusik, we had this route all to ourselves! Dragontail Peak; Dragontail Peak Triple Couloirs; Dragontail Peak; Aasgard Pass Hike; Goose Egg Mountain. It looked pretty steep and intimidating with only intermittent jams. Review, Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. By the end of August last year there was an unavoidable swath of smooth ice across the snowfield on the standard route. The crux of the route is moving from the first hidden couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. Climb either steep talus or snow depending on the time of year up the left side of the glacier to avoid any crevasses closer to the northeast face of Colchuck Peak. Skiers in the local backcountry crowd know you can reach the entrance with a relatively easy, sub-two-hour ascent. He looked great in the upper hand crack. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 footMt. Nice!!! 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. It was quite exhausting. Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. Your link has been automatically embedded. Hiking Dragontail Peak. A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Jacob and I had practiced ice climbing not mixed climbing, so using my crampons and tools on slabby granite felt insecure. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for 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. Dispersed camping is not allowed between the road and Icicle Creek . 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. In this snow condition, the pickets were mostly useless. Before long we were up at the col and about to move over to the Southwest face. March 27-April 2, 2023 (1 spot) April 3-9, 2023 (FULL) April 10-16, 2023 (FULL) Custom Dates for 4+ also available. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. better conditions.well, the forecast wasn't great, but I had become 2023 Climber Kyle. 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. Andy set out climbing on Thursday, August 7th. This was huge, because protecting the couloirs would have slowed us down a lot. Triple Couloirs, the famous route up the north face of Dragontail Peak, was once a far-fetched dream, but now seemed within reach. Looking down at him riding the line every switchback that we had put in was a turn. Gain: 7000' ish (cliffs really throw off the gps) Elapsed Time: 13:38. His mother responded immediately, saying she had done the deed. He will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane. Beautiful 2000 square foot, 4-bedroom single-story home with a 3-car garage, granite kitchen counters, and tile throughout the wet areas.