You can also reach the top of the ski area via Little Annie Road (route 7.2.7) or Midnight Mine Road. This is a crowded area; go elsewhere for solitude. Return from Sandy Creek by dropping to 11,200 feet, then climbing N to a saddle that takes you to Sawyer Creek. From the 10th Mountain footbridge, follow the well-used trail N for a few hundred feet, then make a climbing traverse downvalley to within sight of a sturdy fence and private manse known by backcountry skiers as the "Parthenon." Your goal is an obvious wide corridor in the timber. In view of how cramped this terrain is, compared to the vast reaches of Colorado's mountains, the amount of crowding appears ludicrous. Gold Hill is a short distance N and E from here. Probe the mystic Williams Mountains with this wilderness trek. Not all odometers are equal, so here is a word description: Look for the first utility pole on your left as soon as you've driven through the densest group of Lenado buildings. To reach the Mount Hayden Trailhead, drive Castle Creek Road 8 miles from Highway 82 (see descriptions above). Do not confuse this footbridge with the major bridge you'll cross near the trailhead, known as the Benedict Bridge. After you cross the avalanche paths mentioned above, you'll pass through sparse aspen forests, and about two miles from Ashcroft you'll come to a trail that forks right. Moreover, this website does not list every hazard you may encounter. You may find a log crossing or snow bridge. Cross the creek and follow a not-so-obvious trail up the drainage. Crowded and trashy in summer, paradise in winter. The easiest way to reach the actual trailhead is to simply walk back down the driveway to the Hunter Creek Road, turn left through two stone gate posts marked "PRIVATE," then follow the paved Hunter Creek Road .3 miles around a hairpin switchback to the well-signed Hunter Creek Trailhead (8,380 feet). Unit 1BMountain Village, CO 81435970.728.0107info@wagnerskis.com. To reach Richmond Ridge, either ride the Aspen Mountain gondola (a 1-ride ticket may be available), or ski up the Little Annie Road (see route 7.2.7). Drive to the Little Annie Road via Castle Creek (see section introduction). Climb rating: track skiing Ski rating: Track skiing, S1 Recommended seasons: All with snowcover Starting elevation: NA Summit elevation: NA Elevation gain: minimal Trip distance: about 7 miles, depends on route Day trip? After a short gondola ride to the summit, groups are given an orientation with guides before heading out for backcountry skiing and riding. If conditions are extremely dangerous you can avoid these slopes by dropping lower into the drainage, but this entails difficult bushwhacking and route finding. Storms can drop a whiteout on you in moments, and high winds can make a simple map check into a gymnastic contortion. This is the general route of the summer pack trail. Yes Map: Elks North Middle Photo: [in collection]. Ski a short distance down and cross Castle Creek. Yes Map: Aspen East Photo: [none supplied]. As it is, this trail may be poorly signed. Yes Map: Elks North Middle, South Middle Photo: [in collection]. For many years, skiers who ventured into Conundrum Creek Valley were viewed as crazy fools. The summit of Aspen Mountain Ski Area (11,215 feet) is used as a trailhead for routes along Richmond Ridge. Yes Map: Elks North Middle Photo: [in collection]. The information presented within this website is based upon the experience of the authors and their sources and might not necessarily be perceived as accurate by other persons; therefore, extreme care should be taken when following any of the routes described here. What's more, escape routes are poor and a series of seemingly endless summits stud the ridge. To do the route, get a trail map at one of the touring centers in the valley (see description above for the Aspen/Snowmass track system). The steep face above you to the south is the Stammberger Face, playground of that famed pioneer extreme skier. Descend your ascent route, with variations you spotted during the climb. No Maps: Elks North Middle, North West, South West Photo: [several in collection, including a panorama of region]. They are relatively inactive and only slide to the trail several times a year. This area is part of the ski area permit and can thus be legally closed, as it may well be. This is corrected on the maps in this book. WOULD YOU RATHER BUY YOUR SKIS OVER THE PHONE?SCHEDULE A CALL to speak with a ski designer. Get back to your car by descending to 11,200 feet in Sandy Creek, then climb N over a saddle to your Sawyer Creek ascent route. Head to the far southwest corner of the main parking area, and drive up the steep West Buttermilk Road for about 3 miles to West Buttermilk parking near the ski lifts. From the summit of Ski Hayden, begin the walk along the visible ridge leading ¾ mile to the summit of 13,561 Hayden Peak. The big tempting bowl you see below may yield good skiing during stable avalanche conditions, but keep in mind that several people have died in slides here. These are trails closer to the Aspen municipality. Climb rating: Harder skins Ski rating: Advanced Recommended seasons: Late winter or spring Starting elevation: 9,498 feet Summit elevation: 12,361 feet Elevation gain: 2,863 feet Round trip distance: 10 miles Day trip? The ski to the summit is trivial, the view terrific. To keep things moderate, roughly retrace your skin track on the way down. Confusion arises because some old-timers call the North Summit "Ski Hayden," and it is also called that in the first edition of Colorado High Routes. Use that route (7.2.6) to ski 3 miles S along the ridge, following the well-used snowmobile and snowcat "over snow" road. The road is plowed a short distance up through a residential area. Yes, or overnight at huts Maps: Elks North East, South East Photo: [See Chapter 10 and some in this chapter collection]. At the head of the valley (11,300 feet), swing N and continue up the drainage (do not use road that climbs S across many avalanche paths). Landmarks in this vast alpine area are few, similar and vague. Start by driving Highway 82 from Glenwood Springs or Aspen to the Buttermilk Ski Area. A beautiful 11-mile drive up Castle Creek Road to the ghost town of Ashcroft will bring you to a variety of options for skiing. Follow the trail as it parallels the creek then climbs easterly up a hill. Route 7.2.2 Conundrum Hot Springs to Conundrum Pass, Climb rating: Harder skins Ski rating: S3- Recommended seasons: All with snowcover Starting elevation: 11,200 feet Summit elevation: 12,920 feet Elevation gain: 1,720 feet Round trip distance: 4 miles Day trip? Selfish locals may have completely restricted parking in this area, obey all signs or pay. The hut is not easy to see from the trail. Once a man from Aspen actually skied to the springs totally nude, spent the night in the pool, then returned to civilization the next morning! In recent years, boundary policy has been more liberal during the operating season, and after the lifts are closed all boundaries are de-facto open. Highland Ridge connects Highland Peak with Conundrum Pass 10 miles to the south-via one of Colorado's longest, highest, most jagged and visually stunning aretes. About a mile outside of Aspen you'll come to a stop light and good signs at the turnoff for Castle Creek and Maroon Creek roads. The most aesthetic method is to wait for a good day in early spring and climb the route from the bottom. Next, climb to the summit of Hayden Peak via its east ridge. If you'd like a tour with little downhill skiing, but good views and access to two backcountry huts, Richmond Ridge to Gold Hill is a good bet. If you get lost, follow any drainage down to the north and you'll eventually end up on a road. The roughest part of the route consists of many small cones of rock you have to skirt. Follow the old road as it leads up the Sawyer Creek drainage, crosses the creek at 9,480 feet, then ends at a flat area (9,600 feet). From parking in Ashcroft (probably across the street from the Toklat buildings, obey parking signs), follow a public access trail that leads NE across flats to the Express Creek Road, where you cross a bridge over Castle Creek. Ski Independence Pass Road down to the snow closure gate, where you've stashed a car or arranged a ride.