Boulder Trail & Ski Report
By: Pete Durr
Road Access:
FR 1131 is open to the Boulder Ridge Trailhead
Trail Status:
The tread is in good shape to the Wilderness Boundary. 35-40 trees cross the trail in the first two miles. Upon exiting the timber the trail becomes more challenging to follow due to a mix of snow patches and surface water channels. Snow begins in earnest at 4000 ft. At the end of the trail a fixed rope exists with unknown origin.
Climbing:
Once gaining Boulder Ridge the snowpack dominates the landscape with no dry campsites. Sun cups up to 6500 feet then smooth soft corn up to our high point, 9000 feet. Minimal boot and ski traffic was observed up to 8000 feet. The soft corn allowed us to skin to our high point. Don’t let your guard down; be mindful of thinly covered moats near exposed rocks on the ridge. Beyond our high point is only speculation but the route appeared to connect to the summit. Observed crevasses above 9000 feet beginning to appear.
Skiing:
We skied two runs: The first run was from 8000 to 7000 feet. Snow was soft corn and a little dirty and sticky. We experienced clean smooth snow from the last snow storm above 8000 feet. Skied continuously to the rappel station near 4600 feet and a few hundred vert below. Switched back to hiking boots at 4000 feet.
