Jones Pass: West Fork Bowl Ascent

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

The skin track to the West Fork Bowl starts at the west end of the winter trailhead at the obvious Forest Service signs. Ski a hundred yards up the road, and there is a sign showing Jones Pass to the right and Butler Gulch to the left.

The skin track follows the Jones Pass Road. The path of the Jeep road is obvious, especially after snowmobiles or a snow cat have gone ahead. The road climbs eight tenths of a mile to a clearing below point [39.7793, -105.8638]. At this clearing, separate from the Jones Pass Road and head north following a Jeep road. This is well-defined once Powder Addiction establishes the snow cat road. Continue into the West Fork Bowl, approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead. [39.7948, -105.8833]

Powder Addiction has secured a special use permit from the Forest Service to provide guided snow cat ski tours of this area. Additionally, Jones Pass has traditionally been used by snowmobiles. This may not be quite the backcountry experience you were hoping for, but it is a huge playground.