The Grand Couloir

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

III D7 R2
This is the prominent couloir seen while descending the east side of Monarch Pass. Descend from near the summit of 13,649' Mount Aetna. Might as well summit as well—from the top of the ski run it is a short ascending traverse to the summit of Mount Aetna. Good views of Monarch Pass and Monarch Ski Area.

Avalanche hazard can be high—choose wisely if you decide to do this.

The west side of this couloir will hold snow into early summer while the east side is usually bare rock. Park at Garfield (Monarch) on the north side of Highway 50, just up and across from Monarch Lodge. Don't park in the private lot for the snowmobile tours. There is limited parking to the left of the base of County Road 230.

Hike up County Road 230 to the base of the descent and climb up near your intended descent line. The hardest part of the ski is at the top. By stopping shorter, the skiing difficulty can be kept to Intermediate.