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Trout Creek Burn Backcountry Skiing
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Distance: 2.1 mi. / 3.4 km
Altitude (max): 7956 ft. / 2424.88 m
Altitude (min): 6732 ft. / 2051.97 m
Elevation Gain: 1336 ft. / 407.066 m
Elevation Loss: -1328 ft. / -404.645 m
Altitude (max): 7956 ft. / 2424.88 m
Altitude (min): 6732 ft. / 2051.97 m
Elevation Gain: 1336 ft. / 407.066 m
Elevation Loss: -1328 ft. / -404.645 m
This unnamed ridge seems to get the brunt of winter storms, and provides a variety of ski options on all sides of the ridge. Low angle slopes on a burn allow for wide-open tree skiing with lower avalanche danger on much of the western aspect. Slopes to the north on the ridge are steeper with longer downhill options. See the Mule Peak Lookout to the North and get a glimpse into Olive lake and Echo Lake from the ridge.
The route shown here is a sample loop using the most direct access to the ridge and then skiing some steeper NNW aspects.
Weather: Check snow conditions at nearby Taylor Green SNOTEL Site.
Location
Ski Slope on SW Aspect
United States
45° 6' 52.3476" N, 117° 29' 25.0152" W
Pictures from Trout Creek Burn Backcountry Skiing
^ Skinning up through the burn is rather easy.
^ Hiking to the very top of the ridge.
^ The southern-most edge the ridge, which looks over to Echo Lake
^ Preparing to drop. Flagstaff Butte and the approach ridge is seen in the bottom center of the picture.
^ Some good ski slopes.
Contributors:
Brian Sather, Aaron Spracklin Approach to Trout Creek Burn
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Distance: 13.3 mi. / 21.4 km
Altitude (max): 7048 ft. / 2148.2 m
Altitude (min): 4137 ft. / 1260.91 m
Elevation Gain: 3972 ft. / 1210.78 m
Elevation Loss: -1080 ft. / -329.251 m
Altitude (max): 7048 ft. / 2148.2 m
Altitude (min): 4137 ft. / 1260.91 m
Elevation Gain: 3972 ft. / 1210.78 m
Elevation Loss: -1080 ft. / -329.251 m
Take your sled past Taylor Green and then look to access Flagstaff Butte which has a visible radio tower. There are several ways to access this but the easiest is to stay on the groomed trail until you have come around to the southeast of the butte and follow a road up the ridge. Stay on the ridgetops as you progress toward the burn. See pictures for the one crux ridge that might not be worth messing with if snow is deep or cornices are big. If you can get past it and up to the wilderness boundary, that will save about 30 minutes of skinning. Park sleds at the wilderness boundary just before getting to the slope. This is the route to access Trout Creek Burn and Mule Peak.
Access Options
Snowmobile: Park at the SnoPark at Catherine Summit on Hwy 203. A permit is required. Follow Rd 77 east on snowmobile to the warming cabin at Taylor Green. The snowmobile ride is on groomed trails and then some ridgetops up to Flagstaff Butte and beyond.
Location
Catherine Summit SnoPark
United States
45° 5' 51.0684" N, 117° 40' 14.9772" W
Pictures from Approach to Trout Creek Burn
^ Just past the radio tower at Flagstaff Butte, with the destination in the background (Mule Peak on the left and Trout Creek is the long ridge on the right)
^ The ridge ahead is the crux of the trip. Follow it on your sled to the northern point (left in picture) and look to park there or drop off the other side. Watch of cornices.
^ Bonus if you make it to the wilderness boundary.
Contributors:
Zach Heath 