ski touring at mount charleston

Currently conducting ritual sacrifices to Ullr so that I can use my split for something other than carving groomers.

Is there a guide to bc skiing in the area? Or, online source like Powder Project? Thanks

Nothing to see here but brush and rocks. 

This is the best resource I have found. It would be great if someone would put something together but great snow is not consistent every year for someone to make one. I would just go into the back log of these messages and people do talk about where they have toured and conditions around charleston. 

Doug Hallerwrote:

Is there a guide to bc skiing in the area? Or, online source like Powder Project? Thanks

This blog page is closest as you'll get to a guide-book. There is quite a bit of local knowledge here. I've personally been BC Skiing Charleston since 2008.  As mentioned,  conditions vary widely year to year, but certain areas are more consistent and hold soft snow longer.  My favorite areas are the north facing slopes in vicinity of Deer Creek Picnic area, including Wild Horse Canyon as my go-to area for quick access. There are other areas along Lee and Kyle Canyon, but this is the highpoint on the road between Lee and Kyle Canyon Hwys; there is plenty of parking.  Thus it has the easiest to access "consistent" snow.  The pic I included is the highpoint sign and Wild Horse Canyon is 100 Meters past the sign on the Left..there is a convenient parking spot on right side of road past the sign, as viewed from this spot as well.   Hope that helps.

Michael Benedictwrote:

This blog page is closest as you'll get to a guide-book. There is quite a bit of local knowledge here. I've personally been BC Skiing Charleston since 2008.  As mentioned,  conditions vary widely year to year, but certain areas are more consistent and hold soft snow longer.  My favorite areas are the north facing slopes in vicinity of Deer Creek Picnic area, including Wild Horse Canyon as my go-to area for quick access. There are other areas along Lee and Kyle Canyon, but this is the highpoint on the road between Lee and Kyle Canyon Hwys; there is plenty of parking.  Thus it has the easiest to access "consistent" snow.  The pic I included is the highpoint sign and Wild Horse Canyon is 100 Meters past the sign on the Left..there is a convenient parking spot on right side of road past the sign, as viewed from this spot as well.   Hope that helps.

Thanks Michael.

I'll take a look at some maps and images. Do you have a prefered source for avi conditions?  

Doug Hallerwrote:

Thanks Michael.

I'll take a look at some maps and images. Do you have a prefered source for avi conditions?  

Unfortunately there is no official organization that publishes an avy danger/problem/forecast for the Spring Mountains like CAIC, UTAVY, SAVY, etc. does.  But you can contact the ski patrol at Lee Canyon for their latest assessment:  leecanyonskipatrol@gmail.com     Other than that, dig a pit and conduct your own stability test?  

Not a lot of low angle terrain here, at least outside the thick glades in the lower elevations.  But there's also not a lot of snow right now.

I might head up on Saturday to do some scouting.  Then meeting a buddy to do some in-bounds skinning and maybe side-country at Lee Canyon on Sunday the 7th.  Holler if anyone wants to join.  

Doug Hallerwrote:

Thanks Michael.

I'll take a look at some maps and images. Do you have a prefered source for avi conditions?  

There is none.  The local NFS office has no clue either and just puts out advisories every time it snows. They really don't have any on staff expertise and do not go into the backcountry themselves...

Michael Benedictwrote:

There is none.  The local NFS office has no clue either and just puts out advisories every time it snows. They really don't have any on staff expertise and do not go into the backcountry themselves...

Well, guess that will make it more of an adventure! Will dig a pit and see what I find.

Thanks

hi folks. Has anyone gone up north loop / wild horse area in the past week at mt charleston? If so, how are the conditions?

I went up near lower bristlecone 2-3 weeks ago and snow was fluffy but it's been warmer since and coverage was very light at the time, maybe a foot or foot and a half... good enough to go uphill but you probably need rock skis for the downhill given lots of hidden obstacles. 

Also, any recommendations on closest areas with good conditions? I heard about Fake Breaks in Utah but haven't found much info. Near Bishop are some trails according to a CA book I have, but looks like long approaches because roads are closed in the winter that would otherwise get you closer to the TH. 

Tushars 

Looked a lot more thawed out today than a week ago, but haven't been up there.

I checked out charleston today. Sadly, it looks pretty bad. Didn't end up going uphill due to conditions.

Also, a lot of the parking on the kyle canyon side was closed by south loop, mary jane falls, etc. Is this normal in the winter or covid related?

Normal

Snowshoeing is the only real option just now. We've only had one decent storm in like a month in the Spring Mountains. Coverage is low this year thus far...

Heard Brian Head UT has decent coverage, but I don't have first hand knowledge.

Was at Brian Head this weekend. Pretty good storm with lots of pow, but high avy danger. All of the side country and backcountry gates were closed. 

And no uphill travel at BH, so you're limited to lift access.

I know Lee Canyon did some avy mitigation this week after the new snow.  Any thoughts on touring this weekend?  

Mr Gould! Are you still backcou try skiing in Las Vegas? I’d love to buy you coffee and pick your brain

steve gould wrote: had a second go yesterday - snow still good - actually better - got to ridge near griffith's peak - and skinned about two miles along towards charleston till I was at 11000 feeet - didn't quite make the summit - Coming down i took a short cut found a narrow gully facing NW - which ended dropping into to the main gully above cathedral peak - no trax - both much steeper - ended up at the Charleston lodge car park

Hey my name is Brandon, id love to start doing some split boarding on Charleston, maybe Griffith or mount Charleston peaks, anybody on here a pro that I could talk with? Get some advise for lines?

Thanks 

I have been splitboarding for four years here. My go tos I have learned from others over the years have been wild horse canyons. Bristlecone to three sisters and beyond, and also griffiths peak (which has a higher avy danger). Gonna try for telescope peak this year pending weather in Death Valley or one trip to the Sierra’s. Let me know if I can help anymore on local touring advice or if anyone wants to do a trip or local tour. Cheers.