ski touring at mount charleston

Awesome, thank you! I would definitely be interested in going up to Charleston and Lee with you and you can show me the ropes

@MN norske, I was on Telescope Peak in probably May of this year and I thought to myself there might be a skiable line there (there was still some snow in the gully on the east/right side as you approach the switchbacks to the peak even that late in the season) but I had no idea people actually did that. Seems like it would be a pretty unique trip. Have you gone before?

Andrew Dwrote:

@MN norske, I was on Telescope Peak in probably May of this year and I thought to myself there might be a skiable line there (there was still some snow in the gully on the east/right side as you approach the switchbacks to the peak even that late in the season) but I had no idea people actually did that. Seems like it would be a pretty unique trip. Have you gone before?

I haven’t been yet. It was a trip I supposed to do two years ago with a buddy but got postponed. We have both done our research on the lines and time of year to go. Hoping for good snow this year.

Brandon Featherlywrote:

Awesome, thank you! I would definitely be interested in going up to Charleston and Lee with you and you can show me the ropes

Hope those tips on areas help. It took me some time to research, ride and figure them out. As I said Griffith area is higher avy terrain, wild horse needs more snow, and Bristlecone is a go to for myself. Nice it has a close bar for end of day. Also if you ask for an uphill pass at lodge it’s free so you can always work on those early season fitness laps when the backcountry doesn’t have the snow yet. Cheers.

MN norskewrote:

I haven’t been yet. It was a trip I supposed to do two years ago with a buddy but got postponed. We have both done our research on the lines and time of year to go. Hoping for good snow this year.

I did a solo mission on it a few years back during a big snow year.  I waited for the road to Mahogany Flats campground to open (maybe late April or early May???), which was too late.  I pretty much carried my skis both ways.  There was about 1,000'  of snow on the north facing trees.  It was without a doubt the worst turns I've ever experienced, which is saying something.  It was steep, icy, with 3' deep sun cups to add to the experience.  The consequences of falling were pinballing through the trees, so after a few hundred feet of survival skiing I took my stuff off and hiked back down.

I'd recommend waiting for another big year and going earlier in the season, even if it means a longer approach.

sqwirllwrote:

I did a solo mission on it a few years back during a big snow year.  I waited for the road to Mahogany Flats campground to open (maybe late April or early May???), which was too late.  I pretty much carried my skis both ways.  There was about 1,000'  of snow on the north facing trees.  It was without a doubt the worst turns I've ever experienced, which is saying something.  It was steep, icy, with 3' deep sun cups to add to the experience.  The consequences of falling were pinballing through the trees, so after a few hundred feet of survival skiing I took my stuff off and hiked back down.

I'd recommend waiting for another big year and going earlier in the season, even if it means a longer approach.

Thanks for the recommendation. I has a similar experience in tioga pass two seasons ago. Hoping for that big year this year

Has anyone been out yet this season? With this most recent storm cycle I'm curious what the snowpack is looking like. Just moved from SLC and am going to head up in the morning to poke around on some low angles, dig some pits, and get my bearings in new (to me) mountains!

Josh, please post your observations or whatever you’d like to report. I won’t be touring there soon, but am curious about conditions and am sure it will be useful for local skiers.

Ended up going just southeast of The Sisters. Still low tide for sure. Heavy winds have blown all exposed accumulated snow to the northern aspects leaving the south/southeastern aspects a sheet of ice around 8,600 feet. Turned around before there was anything worth studying further. Snow was mediocre but the views were amazing! I hope this forum stays active. I would love to hear what others are seeing as the season progresses.

-JS

I was thinking about heading out this week or next to explore the early-season conditions. Wildhorse Canyon is the most reliable backcountry ski area on Mt Charleston, without a really long tour, that I've found. Easy access to skiable lines on northern facing slopes and partly shaded from sun by trees help preserve the snow from getting crusty...as fast. We really haven't had a spectacular snow year in several seasons running now. Fingers crossed for this year. Benny.

This is going to be my second season in Vegas, and I'd like to link up with someone who could be a bit of a mentor to the area.  Last year I just played around above Lee, because I wasn't comfortable going further out solo not knowing the mountains.  I'd love to get on Charleston and Griffith this year if this winter gives us the goods.  I have my avy gear and some basic knowledge, and I'm planning to take my AIRE 1 in Jackson next month.

Side note: Would love to dust off my ice climbing tools if this winter allows.

Michael Benedictwrote:

I was thinking about heading out this week or next to explore the early-season conditions. Wildhorse Canyon is the most reliable backcountry ski area on Mt Charleston, without a really long tour, that I've found. Easy access to skiable lines on northern facing slopes and partly shaded from sun by trees help preserve the snow from getting crusty...as fast. We really haven't had a spectacular snow year in several seasons running now. Fingers crossed for this year. Benny.

Looks good digitally! Let's hope those spicy looking couloirs off the mummy fill in this year!

Went up wild horse canyon today for a quick jaunt. Both sides of canyon have retained snow better than other areas. Took a couple turns on both sides. Snow hasn’t crusted over yet. One more big storm will fill this is nicely.

I find that parking is the most difficult part in enjoying the snow at Mt Charleston.  They were ticketing cars last time I was up there.  Where is everyone parking at?

as far as i know they only they only ticket and or tow if your car isn't fully past the white line, or parked specifically in a "no parking" zone. earlier is always better for getting a spot, but there's not really any special places to park it just kinda gets busy unfortunately

whose been leaving tracks on Las Vegas Hose Monster. Looks like its in fat! I'd love to join up with someone who can lead that beast. 

Klimbienwrote:

whose been leaving tracks on Las Vegas Hose Monster. Looks like its in fat! I'd love to join up with someone who can lead that beast. 

Did you verify that the bottom pillar is fully formed? Top pitch has been in since December.

earl mcalisterwrote:

Top pitch has been in since December.

Depends on what you mean by "in." Dry rock is always in.

Toured up Wildhorse Canyon on Thursday. Was still some surprisingly decent snow (powdery corn) for not having precipitated in a month. 

I bootpacked up the first .8 miles because the trail had so many hardened tracks. But once the snow got deep enough and the last of the tracks petered out, I skinned the rest of the way up to the summit of Bristlecone Peak. 

Skied the North ridge back to the northern-most nose at around 9800', then got some nice S-turns through the glades, back over my skin track. As always, a lot of work for a slow 1000' descent, due to the thick trees,  but got plenty of solitude and some fresh tracks up and down.

Could've probably skied almost all the way back to the trailhead (paralleling the trail)null but its pretty rutty/rocky/shallow in places where the terrain flattens and I didn't really want to have to brake out the P-tex and edge grinder when I got home (this early in the season). So I opted to just hike out the last half mile or so. 

This Sunday we opted for West Bowl above Lee Canyon instead. Obviously more open, but its pretty tracked out right now. So the trade off probably made Wildhorse the better snow option right now.

I am going to be in Vegas during the last week in February and was going to ski at Lee Canyon for the first time on the 24th and 25th. My hope was to do a little bit of lift serviced touring around Lee Canyon proper maybe try to get to Lee Peak. Is there a established skin track leading from the resort? Do you have any recommendations on particular areas in the canyon or routes to get to Lee Peak? Any info would be greatly appreciated. #PrayforSnow