I've wanted to ski this one since seeing it from neighboring peaks. Then I saw it from Barney Lake in the summer, which got my cash deposit. Crown Point is 11,346'. We parked at the end of Twin Lakes Road at 7100'.

I took this pic from Hunewill Peak a few years ago when we had tons of snow. I figured I could go around and ski the broad slope that leads to the summit, if the couloir wasn't filled in enough. As it turned out, we wouldn't have had enough time to do that. We used kicker skins to motor out the 7 miles approach to the base of the peak, and then switched to full length skins. We spent 5 hours getting to the top of the couloir from the car, and 4 hours getting back.


Northeast side of Crown seen from Kettle Peak


Bridgeport temps were zero when we arrived at 7:30am. It got much warner once we started the tree covered skin in along Robinson Creek. Then you hit the sun in the canyon and wake up.


don't let these dead branches fall on ya


These peaks come up first and face south for the most part. Shasta sized slopes to ski if you can time it right. Skiing them is kind of hard to time, they heat up and slide regularly.


here's snow conditions on the north side of the canyon, looking up Little Slide Canyon, towards the steep couloirs on north side of Mt. Walt, and Kettle Peak in the middle.


2.5 hours to get to here. I was half serious telling Scott I had already felt content just to be standing right there. What a sight.


summer view




Typical sierra tour. Head towards one peak, and you get hit with 10 others you want to climb. This one is just a blip of contour lines on the map with no name.




There's always that moment when you think you might not make it to your goal. Going out to this peak wasn't that straight forward.


anyone?


Scott reaching the bowl beneath the couloir. That's Peeler Lake in the background. I think the peak behind Peeler is Acker, 10,998'.






From the top of the couloir looking to the southeast. Hard to tell exactly looking at the map now, but I think this is the north side of Blacksmith Peak on the left.


This shot shows the distance we travelled. We came from the right side of the pic at the lowest point.




I never said we were looking for good snow. Survival skiing at it's finest.








Better look up at the crazy stuff in little slide canyon. Thin snow coverage right now.


Now for those who were there in spirit. JC was busy building the huge family. So 3 kids means you have to give up 3 sports/hobbies. Hope it's not gonna be east side skiing.


Gregg stone almost came, but we told him he couldn't bring his bicycle.

_________________
Mike Schwartz
www.thebackcountry.net
mike@thebackcountry.net

sweetness mike. when we skied crater last week it seemed as though the low elevations had a good healthy snowpack for that area but the higher elevations were below normal. looks like your pics show the same story so its primetime to ski right to your car but lots of lines need a bunch more snow. thanx again for sharing

Nice Mike,
Now I gotta break out the topo again.

Beat us to another great one again Mike! I'll be studying this TR whenever I get around to heading back there someday.

Awesome Mike, as always. Really dug the photo-shoppery as well. 8) :lol:

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