Conditions

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Avalanche risk for Feb 17, 2019: Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Full forecast for CAIC: Vail Summit Zone — Brought to you by CO Avalanche Information Center

Avy tweets from @CAICsummit

“An easy climb on the Colorado Trail up to Searle Pass, then a nice summit push.”

— Nick Wilder

Driving Directions GPX File

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

There is a vast wonderland of open bowls above Janet's Cabin, and this route takes the easy Colorado Trail up to Searle Pass. It is generally well-traveled, but there might be ski tracks all over the place, and whiteout conditions can sneak up fast.

You can also shortcut this and take a steeper line straight up to Searle Pass. Option 1 is to turn around here and enjoy turns right back to the hut.

Or to continue from the pass, look east and you'll see an obvious broad ridge. There are many small cliffs/rock walls to avoid, but just meander around to keep your angle reasonable.

You can ski down the way you came, or for much steeper and longer climbing, head north on the Point 12,596 route.