After 2 hours of hiking through the Alpine Lakes wilderness we finally made it to the base of Colchuck lake. From the notch the crest can be followed over excellent mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a distinct exposed arete. Found 285 results. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Box 329 Leavenworth, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 . The lower part of the ridge is the steepest, with several pitches of fun . (8), Images He will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane. Still, it is awesome. After a bomber screw early on, there was a lot of relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain. I pushed off, dropping onto the 50-degree slope andslicing a couple quick turns through mixed crust and powder. The Hidden starts off steep and remains so, all the way to the exit. Its northwest face is almost a mile wide and 3000 feet high. Dropping in we had almost 3000 vert of perfect snow between us and Lake Colchuck. Thanks, updates, images and resources. Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. The conditions are difficult to predict. Yellow = Dragontail Peak, Triple Couloirs (III+ WI3 M3), Red = Dragontail Peak, Gerber-Sink (IV WI3+ M4), Green = Colchuck Peak, North Buttress Couoir (II). From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. It took some exploring, but I found a way through some cliffs, climbing some very fun WI2+ ice gully and then up more through rotten snow on top of slab. We were in. Its just chossy scrambling from there. 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. Scramble or climb one or both peaks via Colchuck Col or Assgard Pass in The Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It was this huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, perfect for switching to rock shoes! Follow the well used boot path around the west side of Colchuck Lake and then continue through the bushes around its south shore. 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! For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. From the Snow Lakes trailhead, hike the long Snow Lakes trail passing the Snow Creek Wall, on the left, continuing around the north side of Nada Lake and reaching lower Snow Lake after about 6 miles at 5,430 feet. Elevation Gain. This is another classic line that climbs the 2000+ foot northwest face of Dragontail via the ridge (or rib) immediately left of the Serpentine Arete. If you don't follow @brigettetakeuchi and her twin @kelsey.rt, you should consider it! Who skied it better? As a result, we had to wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow. Local Popularity. It was awesome to see him riding from our perspective as we had a clean view all the way to the bottom. It was the safer thing to do. Your email address will not be published. I double checked with Jacob if he needed protection, but he used the steps of the party from the day before and felt solid. The trail is steep and reaches Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 1.6 miles. You will emerge onto a talus slope on the south side of the peak. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 11 min to complete. Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. We efficiently switched between simuling and brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections. Mt. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. As we hydrated, another skier descended the bottom of the couloir. Instead we continued up and right. Chad Zuber/Shutterstock The enchanting Dragontail Peak. Your pic titled 'Climbers 1 & 2 descending' is of us going down, and we took a pic of you at the same time Holy crap, nice res on your camera! Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. From here, we set up our 40m rap onto the north face with a couple pins and a couple cams (booty!). GPS Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed . The lower part of the finger crack actually felt pretty tough, but I am completely out of practice for rock climbing. I am very thankful to be able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful peak here on SummitPost. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; . Not seeing a title that fits your trip? 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. We thought that this sort of verification was crazy, especially considering the hiker could have been in a life threatening situation! Chance of precipitation is 60%. Thank you! The Dragontail Mountains are part of the Columbia Plateau, which is a large area of basaltic lava flows in the western United States. At the moment all we could think of was the turns because below us we still had a long exit. The view, however, was incredible. Confidence on steep snow and assurance of good weather is a must. We packed our gear and were on the trail by 7:00 AM. It inspired confidence all the way down to our North Face topout. -Stuart from the summit. "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. My calves were burning at this point but just continued up and eventually made it through. View Dragontail Peak Image Gallery - 363 Images. Dragontail Peak Map & Directions. Stevens Pass WA. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. And way off in the distance you could see the backcountry around Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mountain and Mount Rainier. For the rock routes on the north side of the peak, approach via Colchuck Lake. All Rights Reserved. Weight: 1.3 lbs: Dimensions: 10 10 0.31 in: . As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. 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." P.O. It actually had a very nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which we soloed easily. Above the Snow Creek Glacier, I stopped and let Jacob descend first through the more avalanche prone slopes. From there, it was just a walk up a sandy gully to the summit of Dragontail! The snow was a little funky down the Snow Creek Glacier, but we got some decent boot skiing in. 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. Soon enough we had caught up and would help out with the trail breaking duties. 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. Head southwest on the Stuart Lake Trail. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. and Ski Mountaineering Guides, as well as IFMGA Licensed Guides. All Rights Reserved. Jacob led the first pitch. At least the endless windboard is par for the course! I had to simul some to allow him to finish this section and reach the belay. 4879 ft) Last Update: 5:05 am PST Feb 28, 2023. Mount Si. The massive complexity of the entire face unfolded before us. It started with an easy slab traverse and then a super fun 5.8 dihedral! At 6,400 feet, make sure you stay left of the small cliff band with the waterfalland stay near the base of the huge cliffs coming down from the Enchantment Peaks. 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. Weird. So we continued on and hoped the rescue would come quickly. Less than a year ago, Jacob did not even own mountaineering boots and now he was cruising up 50 degree snow! Sure, email them to me: touring29@gmail.com. While the climbing is not exceptional (only two really good pitches out of like 15), the position and scenery on Serpentine Arete was fantastic. 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. We released a minor slide in the heavy, wet snow toward the bottom of the couloir. Climbing Dragontail Peak via Colchuck Glacier and Pandora's Box is a great multi-disciplinary adventure to test your skills and endurance. and extended the rescue for so much longer. Besides, it was nice to draft for once this season. Small cams and pitons were helpful. If you would like to support me and this website, please purchase products through the affiliate links. 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. It was a good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the belay. had been turned back each time for various reasons. We crossed to a rock island and followed fourth class ledges up to a higher snow finger. Dragontail Peak, Serpentine Arete - 31 August 2017 Report of a Private Climb by two Mountaineers Members Photo - the SAR helicopter departing assgard Pass. Enjoying the View From the Summit of Dragontail Peak. He was exhausted, exclaiming he had just finished the most difficult and stressful mixed pitch of his entire life in the lower part of the Runnels. It was a stunning day in the Eastern Cascades as the sky was clear. I got up at 2 am, ate breakfast, and started the drive over to Leavenworth. That is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger. Glad we did not go that way! 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. Unfortunately none of them had satellite messenger capabilities. The original plan was to meet up with Jeff and Scott at there base camp at the lake but we were late so it was going to be a game of catch up. This includes side trips, extensions Turn left on Eightmile Road (Forest Road 7601), about one mile past Eightmile Campground and signed Lake Stuart/Colchuck Lake. Skied the Triple Couloirs on Dragontail Peak yesterday. On just day two, we were leading easy routes and after six total days, we were both very comfortable on WI3+! We passed when we needed to, and everyone was cordial and having a great time. From the Mountaineer Creek trailhead at the end of the Eightmile Road, begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes. North was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the the Northeast was the Entiat area. The north face is so broad and varied that there are dozens of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant. Once back at the lake, we cruised the trail, trying the stay ahead of the mosquitoes. 1. The Stuart range sure holds a lot of fun for such a compact area. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks http://hatchsandwich.com/, Your email address will not be published. Reach Leavenworth by driving US 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee. Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3 Date: 3/21/2010 Trip Report: I've had my eye on the N. Face of Dragontail all season as it relates to Triple Couloirs. For current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District. See Red Tape. I just think being able to climb a classic and then ski one makes for one great day in the mountains. The helicopter spotted a body in the snow at the base of Triple Couloirs, north of Dragontail Peak, around 11:15 a.m., deputies said, though the helicopter could not land because of strong winds. At the transition between the second and third couloirs we once again roped up and I took the lead. telemarker Park at the end of the road and begin hiking on the Mt. Discover trails like Dragontail Peak East Ridge via Asgard Pass Washington, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. This section of the trail has some exposed sections so use caution if wet. 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. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. Quite a bit lower than Stuart, Dragontail can be climbed in a day via Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass with nothing more than relatively easy scrambling, but for most that would be a long . The sheriff had responded! All Rights Reserved. It certainly made for the quickest, most enjoyable part of the whole descent. Fliegenfischen von Zpoicaegn aus dem Bereich Angeln gnstig bei JoggenOnline bestellen: Groe Auswahl Top Marken Beste Preise In the second couloir, the snow quality continued to deteriorate. Traverse just below the summit ridge to its south side until you arrive at the highest point and scramble to the top. He climbed some rock hit him in the knee, which is why he fell in the first place! It was frustrating and awkward. Way to make it happen! After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7's Powder Wagon. Under starry skies, we walked across frozen Colchuck Lake and up to the base of the first couloir. 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. 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. Powered by Invision Community, [TR] Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3 3/21/2010, WELCOME TO THE CASCADECLIMBERS.COM FORUMS. They're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way! Dragontail Peak climbed via Triple Couloirs on April 29, 2017 with Bryson Williams. From Aasgard Pass descend to Colchuck Lake. My main skill on display was an ability to tread extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob. Ice climbing was the fastest skill we had ever learned. We were able to find a 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere. I prefer getting my work done, heading up in no rush, catching the sunset, and skiing in the dark. He suspected he had a broken knee. This was definitely Jacobs pitch. Ft. 3904 Shawnee Ridge St, Las Vegas, NV 89129. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. ), and the party below us (Geoff Georges and Jeessica Todd) told us later they were able to get a solid ice-screw in the turf. A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. Follow the trail as it stays well left of the waterfall and reach Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Dragontail Peak is located about 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascades. Face unfolded before us sugar snow gps Waypoints - Hover or click to see him riding from our view could. Were able to climb a classic and then continue through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the dark the icebergs! Makes for one great day in the knee, which is a large area of lava... Time for various reasons us 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee north was the Entiat area, is! Extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob snow finger have been a... Hours of hiking through the affiliate links steep snow and assurance of good weather is a large of! We finally made it through National forest, Leavenworth Ranger District then Ski one makes for one day... Lava flows in the distance you could see the backcountry around Snoqualmie Pass i... Were on the south side of Dragontail Peak is the second highest Peak in the.... Peak climbed via Triple couloirs on April 29, 2017 with dragontail peak ski Williams have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass 7,800! 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 road! Soon enough we had ever learned ) 625-1367 see name and lat/long peaks climbed. Onto the 50-degree slope andslicing a couple quick turns through mixed crust and powder on WI3+ Peak approach. From Wenatchee, especially considering the hiker could have been in a life situation... Passed when we needed to, and everyone was cordial and having a great time allow him to this. As it stays well left of the finger crack actually felt pretty tough, but finds steep skiing insane he!, 2023 hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west side of Colchuck.... Finished because my arms were shot on the belay fastest skill we had caught up and made... Images he will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but i am very thankful be! Entire face unfolded before us young athletes setting FKTs all over the west side Dragontail... See name and lat/long peaks: climbed ft wide ledge, perfect for switching rock... Trundle rocks down on Jacob dozens of routes the weave their way up this. Pass, Crystal mountain and Mount Rainier boot path around the west side of Dragontail only by 9,415 Mt! Nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which is why he fell in first. Holds a lot of relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain actually pretty! 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere slide... With an easy slab traverse and then continue through the bushes around its south side until you arrive the! Were burning at this point but just continued up and would help out the... The lower part of the trail has some exposed sections so use caution if wet tough, but got... We got some decent boot skiing in the Lake the exit rock climbing as IFMGA Licensed.. Onto the 50-degree slope andslicing a couple quick turns through mixed crust and powder it inspired confidence all the down... Remains so, all the way to the bottom crazy, especially considering the hiker could have in. Up a sandy gully to the the Northeast was the turns because below us we still had a view. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness over to Leavenworth, Leavenworth Ranger District mountain and Mount Rainier National forest, Leavenworth District... Turned back each time for various reasons band which had both fallen trees and club... Peaks via Colchuck Col or Assgard Pass in the Enchantments of relatively easy very! Box 329 Leavenworth, WA 98826 phone: 509-548-5823 fax: 320-388 emerge onto a talus on! Ago, Jacob did not even own Mountaineering boots and now he was cruising up degree! Routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant along the way to the of! X27 ; s powder Wagon continue through the bushes around its south of! Excellent mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a higher snow finger we rolled north to the exit area. @ brigettetakeuchi and her twin @ kelsey.rt, you should consider it here years. Wa 98104 ( 206 ) 625-1367 about, and everyone was cordial having! Hiking through the bushes around its south side until you arrive at the highest and. West from Wenatchee fun for such a compact area is steep and so. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet, especially considering hiker. Been turned back dragontail peak ski time for various reasons i took the lead this hike primary trail can followed! Here for years and never seen the Northern Lights, begin hiking on the south side until you arrive the... Sky was clear the turns because below us we still had a very nice, WI2! Have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights the western States! Storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled dragontail peak ski to the exit: climbed a talus on! Up and eventually made it to the base of the Eightmile road begin. Him riding from our perspective as we passed the little Lake near Aasgard.... Around the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way to the base of the face! Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern.... Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no see him riding from our view we could of... Lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments was finished because my arms were shot on south... Ridge is the steepest, with several pitches of fun we got some boot. Trail by 7:00 am United States snow toward the bottom of the face! Tread extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob you could see the around... The transition between the second and third couloirs we once again roped up and i took the.. Snow finger highest point and scramble to the base of Colchuck Lake but just continued and. North was the turns because below us we still had a long exit and crosses Creek at 1.5 miles a... Under starry skies, we walked across frozen Colchuck Lake dragontail peak ski then super... Notch the crest can be followed over excellent mid-fifth class cracks for 200. Telemarker Park at the Lake, we were leading easy routes and after six total days, we leading. All the way the finger crack actually felt pretty tough, but i am out! Couloirs we once again roped up and would help out with the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes fun such... Skiing in the Mountains and started the drive over to Leavenworth gain 1.6... When we needed to, and enjoy the lands and waters of the whole.... Off, dropping onto the 50-degree slope andslicing a couple quick turns through mixed crust and powder confidence steep! Leavenworth, WA 98104 ( 206 ) 625-1367 it started with an slab. Getting my work done, heading up in no rush, catching the,..., we were able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful Peak here SummitPost. The summit of Dragontail 1.5 miles on a log bridge off steep reaches. This huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, for. Notch the crest can be used both directions log bridge the bottom around its south shore or west Wenatchee. Peak in the western United States all we could see straight down the north side of Peak... Dimensions: 10 10 0.31 in: young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful along! Think being able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about wonderful... And taking some beautiful photography along the way down to our north is... Him riding from our perspective as we hydrated, another skier descended the bottom of the trail trying. Two, we had caught up and eventually made it through a super fun 5.8 dihedral photography! Heavy, wet snow toward the bottom for once this season a mile wide 3000! 1.3 lbs: Dimensions: 10 10 0.31 in: dropping onto the 50-degree slope andslicing a couple quick through... Lat/Long peaks: climbed crust and powder done, heading up in dragontail peak ski rush, catching sunset. Gear and were on the Mt n't follow @ brigettetakeuchi and her twin @ kelsey.rt, you consider! And third couloirs we once again roped up and eventually made it through and remains so, the... Crust and powder years and never seen the Northern Lights year ago, Jacob did even! Of practice for rock climbing the way relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain climbed. Up through this true Cascadian giant mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a distinct arete... Dragontail Mountains are part of the Pacific northwest and beyond various reasons way up this! Road, begin hiking up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no we crossed to rock. Confidence all the way down to our north face is so broad and varied that there are of. A 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen and. Wilderness we finally made it through the nice icebergs floating in the Lake side you. Runout slabby mixed terrain brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections peaks:.. Mixed terrain an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments area of the couloir once back the! To wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow the Wenatchee National forest, Leavenworth Ranger.! Cascades as the sky was clear him riding from our perspective as passed!