Coal Bank Plateau Approach

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

There is generally a good skin track all the way up, and makes for a pleasant ski. Start at the normal Coal Bank Pass trail, but cut left up into a short, steep valley. Switchback up the valley to more level ground, then turn left again and up several small hills separated by benches in the north-facing trees, eventually arriving at one last bench below the top slope coming off the north side of the plateau. Some more switchbacks on the left side of the hill in the trees will bring to to the bottom of the cliff at the edge of the plateau, this last section has some avy risk as it is steeper.