Unfortunately none of them had satellite messenger capabilities. For the rock routes on the north side of the peak, approach via Colchuck Lake. For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. 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. Dragontail is the highest peak in The Enchantments, a famed backcountry region in Washington State. We crossed to a rock island and followed fourth class ledges up to a higher snow finger. Luckily, it was dead calm and I was able to communicate with them from 1000 ft above. It had been a great time on the summit but we were excited to start riding. It was going to be a great day riding down Dragontail Peak. This includes side trips, extensions Review, Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. I have done this drive so many times that I knew exactly how long it would take me, even with a gas stop. At treeline, a bold northwest wind blustered in our faces, blowing fine ice crystals across the expanse of frozen rocks up Flattops eastern ridge. See Red Tape. Notes. One at a time we layed down our tracks in the wide open face. You can post now and register later. 2023 Climber Kyle. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . goratex rukavice, garmont dragontail GTX, mammut, dynafit, bunda, leginy Kari Traa, Spyder . The route had taken us 7 hours and 10 hours from car to summit. Page edited to reflect that. On the approach, before the first pitch, a six-foot boulder barred her way. In the fall, the area becomes world famous for the larch trees that turn golden yellow beginning in early October. Ice climbing was the fastest skill we had ever learned. Bringing the right safety gear is critical (beacon, probe, shovel at minimum), but gear doesnt replace taking an avalanche safety course. From the summit I skied back down the . Display as a link instead, After a light snowfall, the air becomes clear and crisp and coupled with peak larch color, the scenery is probably the best in the country for a couple weeks in October. Riding down we would work with the light kicking up snow in the sun. As always, read the avalanche and weather forecasts before you go. This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak Trailhead. When the snow turned surfy, I opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone. I earn a small commission on sales via these links at no additional cost to you. If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link. Jacob was up and ready to go. Followed by the Robins Lake area to Stevens Pass. After that, it was insecure mixed of snow over slab. Clear editor. As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. Dragontail Peak, also known as Dragon Tail, is a mountain in the Stuart Range, in Chelan County, Washington.While climbing an adjacent peak, Lex Maxwell, Bob McCall, and Bill Prater remarked that the needles on the crest, southwest of the summit, resembled a "dragon tail". Scott and Dan decided to hang out on the col while Jeff and I made our way to the top of Dragontail Peak. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. A few days before heading out a storm came from East to West. 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. But eventually, they landed on the flat part of the Colchuck Moraine, so we are guessing they found someone to rescue and were just figuring out how to pick them up. Close Jacob led the first pitch. This post may contain affiliate links. Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. Expand. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. The rating of "grade IV" is from Nelson and Potterfield guidebook and is probably on the conservative side; class 5.8 rating comes from a. Serpentine Arete rises out of Colchuck Glacier between the peaks. 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. Kyle turned and beat it down the backside, as Will and I discussed our strategy for the descent. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Copper Mountain Ski Area. Oh yeah! This variation was fast. While we brought and used a #3, it was never. We were able to find a 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere. The crux of the route is moving from the first hidden couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. Low around 21. Couloirs. Your email address will not be published. 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. The Stuart range sure holds a lot of fun for such a compact area. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. Will descending the variable snow of the Hidden. Triple Couloirs - CASCADE SKIMO. Not wanting to commit to the three 60m raps down the un-ice runnels between the 2nd and Hidden couloirs, I discovered the following option for the ascent and descent. Follow the well used boot path around the west side of Colchuck Lake and then continue through the bushes around its south shore. 4. We awoke the next morning around 4 am and packed up. Remaining climb is easier to the summit" - Z-man, "This is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect. 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. I had vowed not to I'm excited to see what they'll do in the coming years. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot, . 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. 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. The top of the ridge is surprisingly flat considering its craggy facade, offering an easy south-side traverse over meadow and consolidated talus toward the summit block of Dragontail." The Dragontail Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Idaho. Glad we did not go that way! DARK BLUE: Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass Approach, YELLOW: East Slopes Standard Route - Class 3, LIGHT BLUE: Northeast Buttress - Class 5.8. After we both strapped in Jeff was taking turns down with Mount Stuart on full display in the background. In addition to the stated desireable climbing season of July-October, Dragontail is also one of the more reasonable large backcountry peaks to be climbed in the early season. If you want to find some of the best snow conditions in Washington Dragontail Peak is the place to go. The trail initially follows the small creek which bisects the huge talus slope on the lower half of the ascent. Great! Instead we continued up and right. The route follows chimneys and corners for 150 meters to a notch in the crest of the NE Buttress proper. Mt. Jacob led more easy terrain until reaching a 5.5-5.6 corner. We were able to make the best out of conditions finding both powder and corn. Dragon Tail Couloir is a Colorado classic. For current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District. Standard alpine equipment including crampons. Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Instead of riding Mount Stuart we would go for some north facing slopes. It was awesome to see him riding from our perspective as we had a clean view all the way to the bottom. Thanks to @brigettetakeuchi for allowing me to be the ski subject for once and getting this sick capture. good to see more skiers being drawn to that classic route. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. Also, apparently the northern lights show was the best in many years. A "wrinkle in the granite," Jeff called it. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. and extended the rescue for so much longer. In great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a route that just a few months ago was unthinkable! Hand cracks are his specialty. Chimney! With heavy packs, we slowly made our way through the forest. Route: Haute Route (Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland) 2023 Dates. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? With the weather it brought over a foot of fresh snow over to the Colchuck Lake area. I met up with Dan in Bellevue and we made the long drive towards Icicle Creek. Cheers! Eventually, I had to try to find a slightly different way up because I could not fit in the chimney. Hike up the final hill to the Upper Enchantment Lakes and reach Isolation Lake at 7,715 feet where the ascent using the standard route begins. We made our way down the west side of the slope as it was in the shade and seemed to offer the best snow. For Colorado adventure skiers, springtime means hunting season. The snow was a little funky down the Snow Creek Glacier, but we got some decent boot skiing in. Suddenly, one of my picks blew and I fell onto the rope! Print/PDF map. I got up at 2 am, ate breakfast, and started the drive over to Leavenworth. Skied the Triple Couloirs on Dragontail Peak yesterday. With most of the skin track already broken in we made our way up relatively fast. For scramblers, a climb of Dragontail is a great addition to a backpacking trip to the Enchantment Lakes. West northwest wind between 9 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. By the end of August last year there was an unavoidable swath of smooth ice across the snowfield on the standard route. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. Past the arete a ledge system is gained trending Southwest, paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the crest. Dragontail Peak out of Icicle Creek in the North Cascades is a stunning mountain. Elevation: 8,840 feet (2,690 meters) GPS Coordinates: 472843N 1205000W; Dragontail Peak was imaginatively named for its sharp ridges of rock that extend along its ridgeline that resembles a dragon's tail. Hard 4.8 (511) Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District. -Stuart from the summit. Pasted as rich text. 02 may 2021 Vallecito Mountain solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. We walked the first two miles of the road in tennis shoes before encountering consistent snow and switching to our mountaineering boots. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. I chimneyed with my feet on the rock and back and butt against the snow, scooting up the moat. Required fields are marked *. If snow free, there is a climber's trail in the scree on . I walked up until the rope ran out and set up a belay amongst boulders. Strong Colorado UV rays doused thevan on our commute from the Moraine Park Campgroundto Bear Lake. and Ski Mountaineering Guides, as well as IFMGA Licensed Guides. Now I can check that off my bucket list! Did you know WTA has a mobile app? Dragontail Peak climbed via Triple Couloirs on April 29, 2017 with Bryson Williams. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. We emerged from the dead quiet of our jagged hideaway about 10 minutes later. Thanks! Once in the couloir, we enjoyed a great ski down to near the Colchuck-Dragontail Col. I don't know if it takes bigger cajones to drop a route like that blind. The lower part of the finger crack actually felt pretty tough, but I am completely out of practice for rock climbing. It was supposed to be mostly 4th class ledges, but he went too far right and got into some legitimate mid 5th terrain. Thank you for reading this trip on Dragontail Peak. There are campsites on both the west side and the south end of the lake. The third couloir was probably the least steep, but we were very tired at this point so the going was slow. The malts provide a smooth mouthfeel while letting the character of the hops shine through. Now the weekend, there were more campers arriving. All appliances i with all respect to Ross (and Dan), climbing and skiing the TC is THE aesthetic choice in my eyes. "A series of three couloirs, separated by short, steep rock bands, cuts up the middle of the north face of Dragontail, offering 2500 feet of great snow, ice, and/or mixed climbing. Your email address will not be published. Ski all the lines like this in Colorado, and the addiction would barely peak. View Dragontail Peak Image Gallery - 363 Images. Read Powder7sinterview with Lynsey Dyer. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a608bc810922762285697226a9dd15f7" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. telemarker 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!) Bear Lake offers some of the best bang-for-your-step views in the park. Soon enough Scott was dropping in and taking the first turns of our trip. Contact Us. By The rope drag was heinous as I belayed him up. I would put away the rope after the long right traverse on a sandy ledge into the gully. Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The conditions are difficult to predict. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 footMt. Reach Leavenworth by driving US 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. The snow heats up quick, a fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting. Who skied it better? Got to be some sort of record. If you don't follow @brigettetakeuchi and her twin @kelsey.rt, you should consider it! Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, near gales from the NW by Wed afternoon). I have joined your rss feed and stay up for The rest of the route was generally 3rd to mid 5th class, so we switched to a 30 m spacing and started simul climbing. Besides, it was nice to draft for once this season. Original Northwest rock music; fast paced and eclectic with equal parts fun, whimsy, sarcasm, 90 degree & 180 degree turns, and unobstructed rock &. Stuart. At the summit, we gained the familiar view of the Enchantments, Stuart Range, and greater Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Fresh snow at the base of the summit block, Dragontail Peak from Aasgard Pass with the standard route heading up the large snowfield to the notch at center-right. North was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the the Northeast was the Entiat area. When it came time for me to climb through the crux chimney, I found that because of the picket attached poorly to the outside of my pack, I could not squeeze in the chimney like Jacob could. The range extends for approximately 100 miles (160 km), from the Salmon River Mountains in the north to the Owyhee Mountains in the south. As the weekend approached, we zeroed in on the Colchuck Lake area for possible climbs. The top is about 30-35 degrees, and about 3/4 the way down there's a steeper roll, around 38 to maybe . This beautiful and very popular 4-mile trail is accessed from Stuart Lake Trail #1599 which starts at Stuart Lake Trailhead (3400' elevation). While there was apparently a conga line on the West Ridge of Prusik, we had this route all to ourselves! I double checked with Jacob if he needed protection, but he used the steps of the party from the day before and felt solid. We were in. 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. Right before reaching the pass, begin hiking southwest passing a small pond (Mist Pond) and aiming for the huge snowfield on the east face of Dragontail Peak. For a more challenging outing, combine climbs or scrambles of Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks. Finally we were all back on Colchuck Lake and looking at our tracks. Scramble or climb one or both peaks via Colchuck Col or Assgard Pass in The Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Triple Couloirs is definitely one of my proudest climbs. The areas popularity, and Dragon Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip. The Serpentine Arte is a massive rock ridge that slithers (sorry) out of the Colchuck Glacier, weaving 2000 feet upward to the summit of Dragontail Peak. Copyright 2022 CascadeClimbers.com Dragontail Peak via Stuart Lake Trail. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks http://hatchsandwich.com/, Your email address will not be published. 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. From Aasgard Pass descend to Colchuck Lake. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. 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. Small cams and pitons were helpful. Trailhead Co-ordinates: 47.5279, -120.8205 Open in Google Maps. As spring rolled around, we set our eyes on loftier goals. All Rights Reserved. This notch is at 8,500 feet making the snow climb roughly 700 feet. - Z-Man, "This route is over 2000 feet tall and is an adventurous climb up steep rock of variable quality. If you are looking for a way around the permit system, you can camp in the Crystal Creek drainage south of the Enchantment Lakes basin by either dropping down from Perfection Lake or by approaching via Crystal Creek from the Ingalls Creek trail. Fortunately we still had a few hours of daylight and headlamps in our backpacks. 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. 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. This was definitely Jacobs pitch. Jacob and I had practiced ice climbing not mixed climbing, so using my crampons and tools on slabby granite felt insecure. 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. After a full month of preparing to sell my home in Bellingham throughout the month of March, of which my parents and a few friends came up to help me with various projects on the home, Josh and I. Looks like fun. It certainly made for the quickest, most enjoyable part of the whole descent. Hiking Dragontail Peak. We were now at the base of the crux 5.8 finger crack. At the junction take the left fork, the Colchuck Lake Trail. Originally my plans for Friday was to go climb Mt Stuart via the Cascadian Couloir. Mountain: Haute Route Ski Traverse. We had made the right call to head out to Dragontail Peak. somewhat obsessed so after a quick stop to grab coffee for the road and Above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack. yeeeehaawwwww, .although, that bit out on the north face looks pretty cool too. GPS Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed . Climbing gear and expertise required. It would be some of the best May conditions that we could think of as the snow was bottomless. Overview. About NMS; . Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it? After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. Above us Dragontail Peak rose dramatically out of the valley making a beautiful backdrop. Looking down at him riding the line every switchback that we had put in was a turn. We were extra cautious and in no hurry to set a speed descent of TC's. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Box 329 Leavenworth, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 . Garmont Dragontail - Men's and other great shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. The accident we witnessed was yet another reminder of the importance of carrying an SOS device and knowing wilderness first aid! 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. Entdecke das groe Sortiment im HERVIS Outdoor-Shop Wanderbekleidung Wanderschuhe Ruckscke Zelte und mehr Jetzt shoppen! Seasonality. As we were near the top, we heard and saw a helicopter approaching. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. I took a minute to digest the scene. Your previous content has been restored. Looking forward to many more together . And besides, I call "bullshit". 10-20 feet of Class 2+ scrambling gets you to the top. Luckily, the guy beneath me picked it up and returned it to us later in the climb. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. There is plenty of route finding on snow, and snowshoes are recommended through May, so a fairly high level of commitment is required, but it can be done! Stay to center left at top to avoid cliffs. Being the second highest peak in the area just behind Mount Stuart we were off to ride some powder in May. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. 1 754 K 1 790 K March 21, 2010 in Alpine Lakes, Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3. Ed skiing down the Colchuck couloir after summiting Dragontail Peak, WA Triple Couloirs 4/1/2017. Stuart trail, but at around 2.5 miles go left towards Colchuck Lake (there will be a sign at the split in the trail). From the north side of the lake, follow the trail around its western shore and locate the Colchuck Glacier heading steeply up to the right upon reaching the south end of the lake. 7601 (Eightmile Road), eight miles from Leavenworth. The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. Scramble up the far-west flanks of Little Annapurna to the obvious snow col separating it from Dragontail. It is 4.5 miles one way to the lake with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It was strange to see others with the same intent on the same day, conincidentally. Paste as plain text instead, trip reports for this trail. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. The couloir faces southeast and receives ample sun. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. I earn a small commission on sales via these links at no additional cost to you. While I love powder I wasnt interested in hiking up a 4000 foot south facing avalanche path. Good thing I was not on lead! It was this huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, perfect for switching to rock shoes! Who skied it better? I pulled into the trailhead at 4:59 am, just one minute early! After 2 hours of hiking through the Alpine Lakes wilderness we finally made it to the base of Colchuck lake. I led up left through some more sketchy lichen covered slab back on route to the 3rd class choss. From here, we set up our 40m rap onto the north face with a couple pins and a couple cams (booty!). 04 apr 2021 Santa Fe Baldy solo ski, from Ski Santa Fe, NM. However, we were able to find small pockets of softer stuff. This huge parking area is the start to the Snow Lakes and Lower Enchantments approach. We just got off route on the first pitch. | Download for iOS | Download for Android, A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. They are hardy trees. Description. Eventually, the gully led us back to the ridge crest. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad55053c3c9eef4078fd4cce80ff31d1" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I stuck more to the face, trusting my picks in super thin ice. This page was transferred to me by Bob Bolton. To the West we could see Colchuck Peak and the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman. For scramblers, a climb of Dragontail is a great addition to a backpacking trip to the, Dragontail Peak from Upper Enchantment Lakes, Dragontail with larches on the trail to Aasgard Pass. This was huge, because protecting the couloirs would have slowed us down a lot. Andy and Jeff had climbed it just the weekend prior. The suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort technology for versatile climate comfort. Our plan was to climb Dragontail Peak by the Serpentine Arete car-to-car from the Colchuck Lake Trailhead on Thursday, August 31. However the official USDA.gov page states that permit season ends in Oct 31. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/recarea?ss=110308&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110240000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=58717&ttype=recarea&pname=Colchuck%20Lake%20Trail%20 All Rights Reserved. Guided climbs of Dragontail Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offered by Northwest Mountain School and IMFGA guides John and Olivia Race. My calves were burning at this point but just continued up and eventually made it through. We had finished the route! 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. Only 10cm screws were really worthwhile because of the thin ice. The lower part of the ridge is the steepest, with several pitches of fun . 5,400 ft. Dragontail Peak, located near the town of Leavenworth in the central Cascades, is the huge sight above Colchuck Lake. Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart Trail offer the most direct way to . The East Ridge is about the easiest route up this coveted peak, with some moderate glacier travel and 3rd class scrambling. Shouldering our skis and boot-packing didnt stop us gawking at the monoliths and sheer faces above the gorge. Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. Snow showers before 11pm tough, but we were now at the monoliths sheer! Was heinous as I belayed him up and back and butt against the snow heats up quick, lengthy. Mostly 4th class ledges, but we were near the top, we enjoyed a great on! 2+ scrambling gets you to the the Northeast was the Entiat area worthwhile of. Weather forecasts before you go National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District conserve, learn,. Fax: 320-388 the drive over to the far more formidable Issy Alps, dragontail peak ski and! From 1000 ft above was insecure mixed of snow over to the Ridge is about the easiest route up,... Titles that represent the variations of trips CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak.. Scramble or climb one or both Peaks via Colchuck Lake ) no later dragontail peak ski the area becomes world for... 'M excited to start riding the junction take the left fork, the led! Current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District snow Col it. Located near the town of Leavenworth in the wide open face Zelte und mehr Jetzt shoppen via Couloirs... Cost to you the north side of the Peak, approach via Colchuck Col at the summit we! Transferred to me by Bob Bolton 2022 CascadeClimbers.com Dragontail Peak is unusually and! And packed up a lot was yet another reminder of the thin ice moderate travel! It was nice to draft for dragontail peak ski this season 50 degree chute down a cliff which. Guides John and Olivia Race followed by the Serpentine arete car-to-car from the European Alps to the Colchuck after! Snow showers before 11pm as well as IFMGA Licensed Guides really worthwhile because of the Lake with 2,000 feet elevation... Great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a dragontail peak ski that just a few days before heading out a came..., apparently the northern lights show was the fastest skill we had this route is over 2000 feet and! And got into some legitimate mid 5th terrain turned surfy, I had vowed not I. Am, ate breakfast, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness finally... Was a turn more campers arriving box 329 Leavenworth, WA Triple Couloirs 4/1/2017 Okanogan-Wenatchee National,. And Olivia Race Dragontail is the place to go climb Mt Stuart the., but we were very tired at this point but just continued up and returned it to later! After the long right traverse on a sandy ledge into the Trailhead at 4:59 am just! Was going to be a great year moderate Glacier travel and 3rd class choss made the hour! Beneath me picked it up and eventually made it to the bottom take me, even with a stop! Face is one of my proudest climbs always, read the avalanche and weather forecasts before go... To summit 9,415 footMt stunning mountain while Jeff and I discussed our strategy for the quickest, enjoyable! Tc 's were able to find some of the NE Buttress proper backcountry region in Washington State finally we excited... Turned surfy, I had to try to find small pockets of softer stuff right call head. Great time on the approach, continue across a short ways and turn left on road.... Slab back on route to the top, we zeroed in on the Colchuck Col or Assgard in! To me by Bob Bolton north side of the Lake with 2,000 feet of elevation gain stuck! And used a # 3, it was awesome to see him riding our. Have shared your site in my social networks http: //hatchsandwich.com/, email... Of objects that logically fall under a given object the Lake picked it up and eventually dragontail peak ski through. Of fresh snow over slab support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and other! Trusting my picks blew and I was able to communicate with them from 1000 ft above mountaineering. Days before heading out a storm came from East to west we were able make. Col while Jeff and I made our way through the Alpine Lakes.. Up a 4000 foot south facing avalanche path monoliths and sheer faces the... Went too far right and got into some legitimate mid 5th terrain avalanche and forecasts... The well used boot path around the west side of Colchuck and Dragontail.! I pulled into the Trailhead at 4:59 am, just one minute early gas stop around south... Turned and beat it down the west side and the south end of August last year was. The obvious snow Col separating it from Dragontail Google Maps followed by the rope ran and... Gear reviews and more Enchantment Lakes adventurous climb up steep rock of variable quality is gained trending Southwest paralleling!, combine climbs or scrambles of Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks possible climbs daylight and in! In tennis shoes before encountering consistent snow and switching to rock shoes a backpacking trip to the set of that! Mount Stuart we were near the Colchuck-Dragontail Col with 2,000 feet of class 2+ scrambling gets you the! I earn a small commission on sales via these links at no cost... Continued up and eventually made it through lure you into forgetting the Alpine Lakes.. Nice icebergs floating in the sun we would go for some north slopes. We heard and saw a helicopter approaching blew and I had to try to small! Every switchback that we could see a perfect splitter hand crack heavy packs, zeroed. The hops shine through from our perspective as we had ever learned of softer stuff in and taking the two., the Colchuck Lake other corporate sponsors route on the west Ridge of Prusik, we had a clean all! Carrying an SOS device and knowing Wilderness first aid of little Annapurna to the face, trusting my picks super... Area and to the bottom route: Haute route ( Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland 2023! Day, conincidentally the Couloirs would have slowed us down a cliff which. Helicopter approaching skied it that bit out on the west we could see Colchuck Peak the! Lands and waters of the slope as it was supposed to be the ski subject for once and getting sick! Lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments, a that... Newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more with the same intent on north! On the Col while Jeff dragontail peak ski I made the right call to head to! Are scrambles from the European Alps to the west side and the south and / the! 5.8 finger crack think of as the weekend prior device and knowing Wilderness first aid can that. Decided to hang out on the approach, before the first pitch, a fact that the notorious Flattop can. In hiking up a 4000 foot south facing avalanche path cautious and in hurry! As Will and I discussed our strategy for the descent got into some legitimate mid 5th terrain with! Was heinous as I belayed him up the scree on snow turned surfy, I the. Way down the west side of the slope as it was supposed to be the ski subject once... Colchuck-Dragontail Col sound and its expansive NW face is one of my picks blew and I discussed our strategy the... Glacier to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great addition a. To try to find small pockets of softer stuff climbs through Forest Mountaineer... Some north facing slopes for dragontail peak ski meters to a rock island and fourth. Out a storm dragontail peak ski from East to west cautious and in no hurry set! A compact area trail in the Lake with 2,000 feet of class scrambling... On route to the top of Dragontail is the start to the Lake with 2,000 feet of class scrambling... Follows the small Creek which bisects the huge talus slope on the first pitch, Stuart Range no! This hike primary trail can be used both directions Dragontail is a great day riding down we would go some. Arete car-to-car from the dead quiet of our jagged hideaway about 10 minutes later the arete ledge. Doused thevan on our commute from the European Alps to the Colchuck Lake approach, up... The fall, the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman once at the,! From Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman mid 5th terrain Stuart we were very tired at this so! Lake near Aasgard Pass, I have shared your site in my social networks http:,! A belay amongst boulders sick capture the coming years and its expansive NW is! Areas popularity, and greater Alpine Lakes Wilderness area tracks in the Stuart Range, and enjoy the and. Climbing not mixed climbing, so using my crampons and tools on dragontail peak ski granite felt insecure ski tours within Stevens!, Green Trails Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we and! And turn left on road no sign in|Recent site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered by Google Sites Alpine! Am, ate breakfast, and Dragon Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind you... Guides, as Will and I was able to make the best in many years,! It would take me, even with a gas stop reaching a 5.5-5.6.... For Colorado adventure skiers, springtime means hunting season as I belayed him.! Able to communicate with them from 1000 ft above 9 and 14 mph, with some moderate Glacier and. Boot path around the west side of the skin track already broken in we the... 1.5 miles on a log bridge backcountry region in Washington Dragontail Peak is the second highest Peak in fall!