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SOUTHEAST SLOPES | WOODLAND MOUNTAIN | INDIAN PEAKS | COLORADO | UNITED STATES

SOUTHEAST SLOPES
SOUTHEAST SLOPES
Date Created: 12/05/2010
Last Updated: 12/05/2010
Ranking:Okay
Skiable Vert:1100 ft
Climbing Vert:2200 ft
Top Elevation:11200 ft
Trailhead Elevation:9000 ft
Ascent Mileage:3.5
AVG Ascent Time:4 hours
Ascent Type:Skin
Trees:Dense
Slope Aspect:Southeast
Steepest Section:35-45 Degrees
Slope Type:Face, Gully
Exit:Clean
First Descent:
Nearest Town:Nederland, CO
AVG Snowfall:300
Snowpack:The Indian Peaks are often very windy, and rarely accumulate a deep base of snow. Occasional upslope storms plaster the peaks with snow, although these storms are rare.

Highlights

This is a cool objective for a simple ski tour close to Boulder. Most of the trail is below tree line, so it's fairly protected from the wind.

Ascent

Follow the trail, eventually going north of the east slopes of Woodland Mountain. When you see some open paths above you, pick an ascent line on the edge of the trees. There's no way that is clearly better than another - it's a matter of personal choices. The trail will be packed down from regular use - mostly snowshoers. It's never steep, although it's a bit long on mileage. Skinning up the face is a little tricky, but be patient and stay aware of trigger points on the open slopes. The trees are dense, but manageable on the way up.

Descent

This is actually a pretty good descent. Find open slopes from the summit ridge and head east from your high point. Once you are clearly back into the trees, make sure to head EAST, which is feels like a shallow traverse left of the fall line. There are a few open slopes that take you to the valley. All in all there's about 1100 vertical feet of skiing, and the upper slopes are worthy of a couple laps.

Access/Permits

No permits are required. Go through the town of Nederland to the town of Eldora and park where the plows have stopped. On your way home, the co-op in Ned has the best food get you back to Boulder.

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Alpineambitions: December 2, 2010 Uphill: 1,800 ft. | Downhill: 1,800 ft.

Great snow! 3 to 4 inches of new snow on a wind slab that supported our weight. Even though it was windy, this aspect was protected....[view]

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Alpine Ambitions leads educational, adventurous, ski experiences in some of the most quintessential ski locations on the planet. No matter where you are on the spectrum of skiers - from accomplished, expert skier ready to ski from the summits of big peaks, and in off-the-beaten-path locations to a novice skier with the desire to ski all-conditions and all-terrain, Alpine Ambitions creates the right environment for you....Hire this guide
Alpine World Ascents
Alpine World Ascents is a professional ski and mountain guide outfit based out of Boulder, CO, offering instruction and guiding year round locally and around the world: Rock, Ice, Alpine, Ski, Avalanche Safety. AMGA and IFMGA certified guides only....Hire this guide

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