Meadow Mountain - Ski Tour

Trip Report

Logistics

Meadow Mountain  is the northern-most peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, our goal was to summit and ski down it. We parked at the turn-off for the Mt. St. Vrain trail just off of Ski Hill Road in Allenspark. Snow prevented us from driving to the trail-head, so we boot-packed the first mile or two, past the trail-head. Snow pack felt suitable enough for skinning just as we passed the Indian Peaks Wilderness sign. The trail eventually widened into a gulley, than a bowl which we switch backed up (the south-east exposure). The  wind was very strong as we crossed tree-line on the south face of the mountain. The final 30 minutes of skinning was a delicate dance over and around rocks with blowing wind. I clicked out of my skis for just enough time to take a few pictures from the summit, than quickly began my decent. Above tree-line the snow was completely wind-blow sastrugi but quickly improved as we descended.

Conditions

Clear skies, warm temperatures (upper 40's) with a strong persistent wind out of the west above tree-line. Snow got wet and sticky as the day progressed. Snowpack was several feet deep from 9,000'+.

Statistics

Total Distance: 6.6 miles
Total Time: 4h 46m
Travel Time: 3h 54m
Max Grade: 31%
Min Elevation: 8,683'
Max Elevation: 11,605'
Elevation Gain: 3,132'

Tools

G3 Zenoxide Skis

Spring clothing

Beacon/Shovel/Probe

Accomplices

Josh Wiegand

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