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Narrow, steep, double fall line, avalanche path with rocky borders.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.5

KM

Ski Line

11,055' 3,370 m

High

10,450' 3,185 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

605' 184 m

Down

37%

Avg Slope (20°)

74%

Max Slope (36°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

This is a fairly steep avalanche path at First Creek in the Winter Park side of Berthoud Pass. First Creek is not a typical destination when skiing at Berthoud.

When standing in the parking lot, Chimney Chute is up on the north-facing ridge, only about 600 ft above the parking lot. Actually only the top and the bottom of the Chute can be seen from the parking lot. The rest is hidden by a rocky ridge that is part of another run called Chimney Cliffs.

Need to Know

This run is very close to the road, but still has all of the dangers as the routes up high.
- Be sure you visit the CAIC website for current conditions
- Carry all of the proper gear, transceiver, shovel, probe

Be careful!

Description

Getting There:
- Park at First Creek on the Winter Park side of Berthoud
- Follow the skin track heading south, paralleling the road heading toward the North Ridge
- Trail is in late season, might not be in early season
- This is a steep skin, normally will never enter into the east side of the Parking Lot Glades
- After hitting the ridge, you can see Highway 40 and the Second Creek trailhead
- Typically if the skin track is put in, the Chimney Chute will be at the end of the skin track on the right side

After Finding Chimney Chute:
- Be confident that the conditions justify the ski descent, this is a very avalanche-prone ski run!
- Drop in is fairly simple, steep double fall line, bordered by rocks on the right after the initial trees on the top right
- There is an exit halfway down, on the right side entering into the bottom of the Chimney Cliffs
- Chute exit goes through the actual " Chimney", two sets of rocks at the very bottom
- After exiting, head hard right and head back toward the parking lot, if you're careful it is possible to ski all the way back without skinning

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin Gillest

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#14

in Berthoud Pass

#428

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Ski Line Rankings

#14

in Berthoud Pass

#170

in Colorado

#428

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6 Views Last Month
1,164 Since Apr 3, 2020
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Photos

Lower down, maybe 2/3 of the way out on "First Shot"
Feb 14, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Initial drop in point of " First Shot"
Feb 14, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Heading toward the exit of "Chimney Chute" at First Creek on Berthoud
Apr 3, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Nearing bottom of "First Shot"
Feb 14, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Top of "First Shot"
Feb 14, 2020 near Winter…, CO
Exit of "Chimney Chute", notice the rocky towers. This is the so called Chimney. Also notice if it slides, there is NO WAY to get out!
Apr 3, 2020 near Winter…, CO
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Current Trail Conditions

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