The GF Coulior - 6.20.09 - Alpine Lakes

In the last few years, some friends of mine and myself have been working on a climbing area.  One of the things that always amazed me about the weather in Box Canyon is the way that the ridgelines bordering the Gold Creek area seem to hold off a lot of incliment weather.  When Exits 32 and 38 are getting drenched, we're having fun in the sun - without having to drive to Vantage.

When I noticed snow in the mountains surrounding the area a few years ago, I knew there were possible ski opportunities.  It wouldn't be much vert for how much hiking needed to be done, but it was such a cool area and I just wanted to explore.  The first year I just hiked up to scope out a line that topographical maps were saying "ski me".  I was pleasantly surprised to find everything I was looking for.

I thought I needed to give this coulior a "name" since I had heard of none, and this was becoming very much an annual stash for me since I'm in the area a lot.  (Un)fortunately, one thing I've learned from trying to access it a lot is that the timing has to be perfect.  Too early and the snow will keep you from getting up the trail (which is important since there are some steep rock bands and waterfalls to navigate - didn't feel comfortable skinning up it) and too late the snow will be melted out.  Anyways, it seems like everytime I go up there there are a lot of couples heading up...my gf came with the first time I skied it and kicked it at the beach.  She couldn't make it this time, but a couple of friends who are also a couple came with me.  Therefore, I dubbed it "The GF Coulior".

Either way, it's always a fun hike and a lot of great creek crossings, waterfalls, and varying types of fauna the entire way up.  Absolutely beautiful and good to take your gf/bf on, even if they don't want summer turns.  I have yet to get bad turns up there.  Creamy corn.