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South Lookout Peak, East Face
9 Miles, 3,500'~ Gain
Via Red Mtn Pass
4/18/08





Every time I drive over Red Mtn Pass, I am amazed at the quality of skiing terrain. With respect to the Elk and Gore ranges, its hosts the most impressive mountains in Colorado. South Lookout peak is no exception. It lies just south from the summit of Ophir Pass. Any skier who has looked at it has probably imagined how fun it would be to ski, and it was. FZ did a TRon it a couple years back, and it immediately went on the to do list. My buddy Stan from Silverton was up to the task, and the day was born.

driving over to Silverton from Durango, many nice views to get the blood going.....









We started at the Red Mtn/Ophir Pass junction and skinned west up the road. More fun terrain presented itself on the way up:







Then we arrive at our destination, Stan taking the lead:



More Lines:


Lookout Peak


Twilight Peak's North Couloir


Naked Lady, above center



Stan, topping out


The Wilsons


off we go:











We stopped about midway down....




through the choke






post schralp


Bonus corn and the road out




the end


thumbnails

Killer photos! The San Juans are the best mountains I've seen in CO, steep and huge vert. Howz about next time you give the camera to your two planking buddy? Snowboard pics!

...waiting for those pics.

Wow, sick terrain.
Nice job, men.
U reaaaally are tempting me to drive out there w/ those pictures since the snow sucks here. (I've never made a turn in CO)
Are the san juans pretty access freindly?

BG,

Id say its pretty good access. There is a ton of options around Red Mtn Pass. Also Molas Pass, both go close to treeline, then it depends on how far you want to skin. Lizard Head Pass near Telluride has some cool lines as well, here is one off of Sheep Mountain that looks amazing:

http://www.forrestthorniley.com/images/blackface/blackface10.jpg

A lot of lines are reachable in the under 10 miles, 3,500 vert range, and Silverton/Telluride both had good seasons this year, so the snow should stick around for a bit. Later in May, they will plow passes like Ophir and Cinnamon, if you have 4-wheel and decent clearance, the options are endless!

There is so much bitchen terrain in this world... however will I find time to ride it all. Great pics!

Man you guys trashed all that snow, great traking it up. Great TR. I thought the San Juans were islands in the Straight of Juan De Fuca (j/k).

Sweet!

Stunning pics HFT!

Conditions and terrain look $$$. Someday I hope to bum around CO for a spring.

Great photos and times as always, HFT.
Let's ride.

really nice photos

Thanks guys.

LBR, yo! You been shredding the IPW lately? I havent been there since last september... Id like to get out with you again sometime, kind of busy for the next few weeks, but Ill drop you a note when I get a day free.

BCR, let us know if you ever come out, id be happy to show you around sometime... Ive never been to CA in the winter either.