Name: The East Face
Rating: 3.5

Conditions

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History

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Full forecast for CAIC: Colorado Springs — Brought to you by CO Avalanche Information Center

Avy tweets from @CAICfrontrange

“Ski off the summit of "America's mountain" and descend almost 3,000 vertical feet to treeline.”

— Chris Dickson

Driving Directions GPX File

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

Ditch a car at the bottom by parking at or near the Manitou Incline parking, then get a ride to the summit. After getting dropped off, just make it back to your car! Alternatively, this could be a great overnight trip by staying at the Barr Camp.

Description

If you've ever looked at Pikes Peak from Colorado Springs, you've seen this line. This slanting gully that slashes the east face of Pikes begins just to the south of the summit and drops you off near treeline. The corniced convexity at the top has slid in the past and killed people, so BEWARE.

Once you drop off the summit, the angle gets less and less steep as you descend the face, picking your way down the gully. On a good snow day, this would afford some excellent skiing. However, due its aspect, this line gets baked by the sun and rots out early in the spring.

History & Background

Legend has it that, back in the 70's, it was common practice for Manitou locals to skin up the backside of Pikes from the Crag's trailhead, tag the summit, and then ski the East Face right into the nearest Manitou bar.

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.5 from 2 votes

#5

in Pikes Peak

#395

Overall

3.5 from 2 votes

5 Star		0%
4 Star		50%
3 Star		50%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#5

in Pikes Peak

#146

in Colorado

#395

Overall

164 Views Last Month

1,410 Since Apr 12, 2015

Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

You can't miss this obvious line on the East Face.

Looking down the final section of the gully bef…

Skiing the lower gully with the upper bowl in t…

Dropping in off the summit.

Looking down the East Face gully towards Kansas…

Beautiful view from the top of Pikes Peak as yo…

1.3 Miles 2.2 Kilometers Ski Line	0' 0 m Ascent -2,804' -855 m Descent
40% Avg Slope (22°) 51% Max Slope (27°)	13,892' 4,234 m High 11,089' 3,380 m Low

The East Face

1.3 Miles 2.2 Kilometers

Ski Line

0' 0 m

-2,804' -855 m

40%

51%

13,892' 4,234 m

11,089' 3,380 m

Shared By Chris Dickson

Conditions