Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
This is an unquestionably lame trip report. No pictures of the peak and no pictures of the ski descent.
I climbed and skied Handies via Grouse Gulch on Sunday May 18, 2008. We started below Animas Forks, but it looks like the road out of Eureka is open to Cinnamon Pass. The Lake City side was not plowed to the pass.
We left at 5:45am and were back to the car around 12:30pm. The skiing was very high quality. We skied the same route as I did last year (the southwest face into American Basin):
Here are a couple of pics.
Looking down Grouse Gulch
Ascending the ridge from the saddle
Topping out
Our tracks down the SW Face
One thing of note is that the West face has much less snow up top than last year. You might be able to put together a summit descent, but you would be dodging many rocks. The east face looked very good and we saw some people coming up from the Grizzly trailhead-not sure how far the road is open on that side.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Cool. Good TR. Short and to the point.
Nice trailhead info from where you started.
Looks like the Gunny BC crowd is in for a good spring/summer.
Too bad you couldn‘t get any hero shots, we love them!
is that american peak in your 2nd and 3rd photos? looks like the couloirs are in fine shape for snowclimbing and skiing.
edit: i meant they look horrible and probably not worth doing.
Yes it is American Peak. There is a lot of snow up there still, no sun cupping and minimal point releases. There is a bunch of good skiing to be had in that area.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
