Glen Lake Peak to creek

What had started out as a planned ski date with Leah quickly snowballed into a trip with a solid group of five friends.  We headed out to Glen lake with hopes to ski whatever avalanche conditions would allow.

All smiles on the approach with the Heavenly Twins and St. Mary peak behind.

Eben, styling improvised sunglasses.

I tried out a slightly different mid elevation route on the mandatory long approach to the lakes, and it was OK, but I am still not sure it is the optimal route.  In any case the morning was clear and beautiful, everyone moved well at an enjoyable conversational pace, and we were on top of the bowl above about 4.5 hours after leaving the car.  We did see snowmobilers riding in the Wilderness over on Gash.  Unfortunately, a 911 call was insufficient to raise law enforcement.  Bad form.

Leah and Natalie schussing through the burn toward Glenn lake.

We took two short runs in the bowls above the lake and dug a couple of pits before heading over the top to check out the big 4,000 foot peak to creek run which drops to Big Creek.  Pit results had a moderately well bonded layer of concern 40 cm down, so we bypassed the two cleanest gullies in favor of a less wind loaded entrance.  Dropping in blind, I managed to totally botch the line into the main bowl and actually had to skin up briefly to traverse to a suitable exit.  But I eventually found it and directed the group through safely.  The rest of the run was amazing.  We skied excellent powder to about 5,500 feet, then navigated fun stream bottom skiing and thick but doable alder and downfall bushwacking down to the creek.  It was a great run, and it was amazing to catch it in top to bottom powder. The creek crossing was tricky, but we only had one person fall in, so it could have been worse.

Looking down the ski run.  We entered about 100 yards down the ridge skier's left.

Jeffrey heading down to Big Creek.

Leah skiing as the descent began to get interesting.

Expect an adventure in Montana, even when conditions are as good as they get.

The entire egress took a full three hours, but we ground it out slow and steady, returning to the car at dark.  There are quite a few scrappy but potentially interesting couloirs in the same cirque which could merit a return trip.  This line has an unforgivingly exposed entrance and requires a lot of snow to be good, but when in condition it is a highly recommended adventure. The first descent party climbed this run from the bottom, but I think it is best done in this manner as a loop.  Thanks to everyone for such a fun day, and to our friends in town for watching our little one.  About 6,000 vertical feet, done in about 9.5 hours car to car.

Photo taken on a different outing.
We skied the biggest avalanche path, entering near the sun/shade line.