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An easy skin to the summit of a classic Colorado peak.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Ascent

13,251' 4,039 m

High

11,385' 3,470 m

Low

1,866' 569 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

14%

Avg Slope (8°)

37%

Max Slope (20°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

From where the Saint Mary's Glacier Approach ends, continue on across the flat shoulder of James Peak to the base of the east ridge. This shoulder is a lot further than it looks and will sometimes be wind-scoured, so you may not be able to skin all the way across it. The ridge curves from being east-facing to south-facing as you climb up three bowls on your way to the summit.

From the summit, you get spectacular views of the rest of the Front Range, as well as Winter Park and Berthoud Pass.

It's quite common to ski back down the SE face of James, basically the same way you came up. Lou Dawson has given this descent a difficulty rating of D2 ( loudawson.com/rating-ski-de…).

Contacts

Shared By:

Jacob Winey

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 5 votes

#4

in Indian Peaks

#298

Overall
  3.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
60%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ascent Rankings

#4

in Indian Peaks

#86

in Colorado

#298

Overall
59 Views Last Month
4,367 Since Mar 26, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Beautifully inset
Mar 26, 2018 near Winter…, CO
Skier in the top of Shooting Star
Mar 28, 2018 near Winter…, CO
James peak
Apr 28, 2018 near Winter…, CO
Jump turns necessary
Mar 26, 2018 near Winter…, CO
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