Name: Crater Lakes Couloir #4
Rating: 4.0

Crater Lakes Couloir #4

Conditions

Unknown

History

Getting forecast...

Avalanche risk for Feb 22, 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: Front Range Zone — Brought to you by CO Avalanche Information Center

Avy tweets from @CAICfrontrange

“A relatively steep couloir down to the lake with the added benefit of being fully visible from the top.”

— Zander Göpfert

Driving Directions GPX File

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

Needs Overview

Need to Know

The grade of this slope creates the potential for a slide.

Description

Counting the couloirs or gullies of the ridge from east to west, this appeared to be the fourth (hence "#4"). It has a somewhat disconcerting roll-over at the top, which is a great way to inspire some conversations about everyone's comfort level and the utmost trust in the snow conditions.

That said, as opposed to some of the other ski options, this couloir can be scouted from top to bottom without any cliff bands or obstacles and a long run out at the lake, in case the worst happens. There is good potential here to do another lap or to try another of the neighboring couloirs.

We were able to continue the traverse back to the approach all the way back to the car without having to transition and with minor skate skiing.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Office

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.0 from 1 vote

#2

in East Portal/Moffat Tunnel

#263

Overall

4.0 from 1 vote

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4 Star		100%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#2

in East Portal/Moffat Tunnel

#90

in Colorado

#263

Overall

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1,080 Since Mar 28, 2017

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Photos

Trudging up the ridge through wet spring snow.…

A relatively narrow couloir that showed us what…

0.3 Miles 0.5 Kilometers Ski Line	0' 0 m Ascent -402' -123 m Descent
26% Avg Slope (14°) 103% Max Slope (46°)	10,968' 3,343 m High 10,565' 3,220 m Low

Crater Lakes Couloir #4

0.3 Miles 0.5 Kilometers

Ski Line

0' 0 m

-402' -123 m

26%

103%

10,968' 3,343 m

10,565' 3,220 m

Shared By Zander Göpfert

Conditions