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Quick approach from HWY 91 to low-angle, well-spaced tree lines. Great early season and late season.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Ascent

12,041' 3,670 m

High

11,069' 3,374 m

Low

972' 296 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

7%

Avg Slope (4°)

26%

Max Slope (15°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

Powder lines at the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Ski below one of the largest mining areas in the world!

Start at the parking lot and follow the normal hiking trail. Cross the railroad and continue to your left. This approach starts with a low-angle skin on Trail Road until you reach a cutover point where you can skin directly to the tarn or basin below Arkansas Mountain, roughly 2 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing (one-way) from the parking lot.

It should also be noted that there is no official parking area for "South Fremont Pass," there's just a simple pull-off on Hwy 91 just south of the actual summit and the Climax Mine (though there is a designated Google Maps pinpoint to park here).

There are many lines down varying from NW to NE. Beware of a few terrain traps and convexities that could still release with the wrong snowpack.

Contacts

Shared By:

Sterling Mudge with improvements by Tom Seibert and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#2

in Leadville

#154

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
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Ascent Rankings

#2

in Leadville

#31

in Colorado

#154

Overall
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4,648 Since May 28, 2015
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Photos

Jason, near Fremont Pass after skiing Democrat (in the background).
Apr 11, 2016 near Leadville, CO
The Arkansas Basin, with endless skiing, viewed at dusk in February from atop the Tarn.
Feb 27, 2023 near Copper…, CO
Looking out of the Arkansas Basin, to the northeast, at dusk in February from atop the Arkansas Tarn.
Feb 27, 2023 near Copper…, CO
The railroad crossing - one of the stranger things you'll find on a skintrack.
Feb 27, 2023 near Copper…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Feb 25, 2023
Jake Albright
Jan 19, 2022
Thomas Seibert
Mar 2, 2021
Trent Hillier
Hard wind crust outside the trees and on sun-hit areas. Good surfing snow and wind load within the trees. Skin tracks all over the place. 1.5mi — 1h 15m
Apr 12, 2020
Xi Lian
3.4mi — 3h 04m
Apr 6, 2020
Dylan Kobriger
moonshine couloir
Nov 5, 2017
Stormin' Norman
Great short skin. North facing aspect so good for early/late season. A few thin spots but pretty good coverage today. Follow the rd over the rail t… 1mi
Dec 6, 2015
Sophie R
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