TR: Skyscraper Glacier 8.14.04

[iskibc]

8.14.04
Skyscraper Glacier
Rollins Pass, Colorado


Skyscraper glacier is one of the largest and easiest snowfields in Colorado to access in the summer months. It sits at an elevation of 12,383’ just west of the continental divide and overlooks the Fraser Valley and WP/MJ ski area.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0451.jpg

The 18 mile dirt road off of US 40 winds through thick forest and along a couple of streams, before jetting up through the high alpine tundra and wide open meadows. The road ends at the top of Rollins Pass where 75 years ago a restaurant, railroad station, hotel, and worker’s quarters stood. In the early 1900s the Northwestern and Pacific railway first passed over the Continental Divide here. For a while this area was known as Corona, the crown of “the top of the world”. It’s hard to believe that almost 100 years ago there were businesses operating and civilization at 12,000’ on the divide.

Wahamma88, myself and the dog got an early start and were on the Corona trail shortly after the sun peaked over the eastern mountains. Signs of fall were everywhere. Large puddles were frozen around 9,500’ and there was a cool-crisp nip in the air. It’s coming….

We arrived at the parking lot atop the pass and there were only a couple of other vehicles scattered about.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0465.jpg

After getting some weird looks from a husband and wife, and then a few questions as to where we were skiing, we headed along the Corona trail over to the glacier.

RJ on the trail:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0450.jpg


A short 50 minute hike and we were atop the glacier looking down at the turquoise lakes.

Wahamma atop the summit:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0453.jpg


At first glance the snow looked to be pretty decent for mid-August. The snowfield is carved into the side of the peak and there are several cliff outcroppings to take in the surrounding mountain views and just absorb the peacefulness of the environment:

We gazed across the valley and soaked in the sun for about 40 minutes with minimal conversation. It’s funny how the wilderness can silence individuals for long periods of time, yet you still feel like you are communicating.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0452.jpg

We met up with another skier at the summit and he dropped in first.

There are two entrances to the gut of the snowfield. RJ hasn’t been on skis since April so he opted for the easier route.

[iskibc]

Wahamma making turns:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0460.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0461.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0462.jpg

I climbed over to the corniced/crevassed entrance and gave it a shot.

Dropping in:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0455.jpg

The snow was super bumpy and sun cupped. Actually, it sucked. However, I quickly reminded myself that it is the middle of August and it’s better than not skiing at all. After making several turns I turned around and noticed the dog wanted nothing to do with the firm snow. She just stood there at the edge of the cornice, mouth wide open, and tongue hanging out and not budging an inch. So, I took the skis off and climbed back up the snowfield to where RJ dropped in. I threw the skis back on and dropped in again.

Round 2:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0458.jpg

This time the dog jumped off the cornice and started spinning down the slope. After 30 feet or so she came to a stop and quickly climbed back up to the top. Damn! Usually the dog finds an alternative route and makes her own way down on dry ground. We skied the rest of the run and stopped next to the lake. Milli still wasn’t coming down. I knew she would just stay up there, so we bushwhacked through the valley back to the trailhead. I left my gear with RJ and ran back up the trail to get the dog. Sure enough, 2 hours later, she was still hanging out at the top.

All in all it was a fun day to be out. The weather was amazing and the turns were alright for late season skiing. Looks like this will be my last outing before the new season begins in another few weeks. Hints of fall are in the air and with that come cold air and a chance for the light stuff to fall. I can’t wait.

[fubar]

Sweet Pics!

Thanks for the stoke... cant believe you found some skiing this time of year. Nice work on the TR.

[Trackhead]

Funny, I was just thinking "I wonder when the next August TR from iskibc will pop up?" And here it is.

Sounds like your dog has a good handle on his abilities. He seems like a solid canine BC partner.

Nice work. No doubt you will be in shape when the second half of your 2004 season starts.

[Schmear]

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...70/Cnv0455.jpg

Cool shot. That first turn must have been exciting.

[glademaster]

Wow, very nice. August turns=badass. Keep up the good work. Only 2 more months till the snow flies.

[Z]

awesome pics....that entrance looks like it could have been fun....

[ak_powder_monkey]

Jesus you guys rule

Thanks for the stoke, anywhere with snow anywhere near easy access near here is riddled with crevasses so I'm uber jelose

[wahama88]

Fun day all around, one of my first trips up to that area, let alone skiing in the middle of August. The journey up was almost more incredible than skiing, the surroundings, the removal from the turmoil of civilaztion. Incredible. Now, 2 more months, the snow needs to start flying now!!!

[meatdrink9]

Man, that looks a million times better than the time you dragged me up there. If the weather stayed nice it would be sweet to camp up there.

[wahama88]

MD9, camping would have been sweet, those lakes at the bottom of the Coulier would have been perfect, great spots all in through there

[meatdrink9]

That's not a bad idea. That place is gorgeous.

[iskibc]

Originally posted by meatdrink9
Man, that looks a million times better than the time you dragged me up there.

Heh. I think just about anything would have been nicer than that day we were up there. Yeah, the hail, graupel, rain, fog, and 35 degree temp made things interesting to say the least. Tom didn't seem to mind the elements all that much though.

[funkendrenchman]

Originally posted by iskibc
Heh. I think just about anything would have been nicer than that day we were up there. Yeah, the hail, graupel, rain, fog, and 35 degree temp made things interesting to say the least. Tom didn't seem to mind the elements all that much though.

I'll be back in CO on Tuesday. I'm game for next weekend... in fact, it's a must go! I'll give you a ring when I get back.

[Idris]

I wanna Play, I wanna Play, I wanna Play.........Stuck in Pa for another 3 weeks

[Vets]

Beautiful TR and pictures iskibc! That entrance looks fairly interesting.
August turns feel great!

[Z]

Originally posted by funkendrenchman
I'll be back in CO on Tuesday. I'm game for next weekend... in fact, it's a must go! I'll give you a ring when I get back.

I'd be very down to make some turns if i could tag along

[skier666]

Way to get it man....

Nice Post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PaSucks]

Originally posted by Idris
Stuck in Pa for another 3 weeks

awww it's not so bad. At least you only have three more weeks in this hell hole.

[subtle plague]

Interesting that you actually call that thing a glacier.

but nice Pics Anyway

[xboat]

that's good shit right there. nice job.

[dbldmnd]

Very nice, another great TR!

[summit]

^stoke bump

Mission for magnions: when political threads stay on the front page for a week or more, let's keep ski stoke and TRs on the front page longer than just two days.

[cragn]

It was good to meet part of the contingent that has a limitless view of CO skiing! Now if you could just rid the dog of any common sense, maybe she would be a better ski partner. Nice pics. Its only mid August- keep the TR's coming.

[iskibc]

Originally posted by cragn
It was good to meet part of the contingent that has a limitless view of CO skiing! Now if you could just rid the dog of any common sense, maybe she would be a better ski partner. Nice pics. Its only mid August- keep the TR's coming.

Great meeting you too. Good to see you over in these parts. Hopefully we can get together for some more turns this Fall/Winter.
The dog probably won't come out on any more trips until we start getting some fresh flakes. She gets too freaked out over the hard and slick snow. Besides, all that extra energy to go back and get her is whiping me out