TR: Backcountry Skiing on Wolf Creek Pass (19 Dec 2015)
(Last Updated On: December 21, 2015)
Lesser known than some of Colorado’s major passes, Wolf Creek pass is still no secret to the avid skier. Wolf Creek Ski Area hovers close to the summit of the pass and boasts an annual snowfall of 430 inches, more than any other resort in Colorado. Records from 1957 to 2001 report an average snowfall on the pass of 435 inches. It’s only natural that the snowfall alone would draw the attention of skiers. Needless to say, there’s some good backcountry skiing there if you know where to look.
With well over two feet of snow falling on Wolf Creek Pass in just the last 5 days, we decided to head down there to catch some of the fresh.
While the south side of Wolf Creek Pass harbors the ski area and the majority of snowmobile traffic, the north side is the oasis for the backcountry skier. Bordering the southern reaches of the Weminuche Wilderness, there’s a whole lot of cool stuff here for those who want to explore. We dipped our skis into just the beginning of what the Wolf Creek Pass backcountry had to offer and found some of the goods. But there are many more goods to be had.
Here’s a little taste of what we found. Frank.
Me.
Wolf Creek Pass definitely has good tree skiing, although it’s been heavily impacted by beetle kill in recent years. Frank.
Going up for lap 3.
Love the scenery too!
Wolf Creek Pass is one of those zones that’s worth exploring. And with the plentiful snow, even on a bad year, it’s likely to be good. So, next time you’re headed to the San Juans, stop and take a look. Powdery goodness might just be waiting for you 🙂
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