West Willow Peak Backcountry Ski Tour

Check it out

Distance: 4 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderately difficult

Skiing time: 3-1/2-6 hours

Season: Dec. through early March

Maps: USGS Mullan

Info: Wallace Ranger District, (208) 752-1221

Skiing trip notes

Access: From Interstate 90, take Exit 68 at Mullan, Idaho. From main road through town, turn south and cross under freeway on Copper Street. Turn left on Montana and right on Cemetery Road. Leave vehicle just below cemetery at small plowed turnout near end of Boulder Creek Road.

Attractions: If you’re not deterred by 2-1/2-hour uphill slog, and narrow bobsled-run return trip, this tour leads to excellent views and great, open and timbered telemarking slopes. Tour can be extended about 2 miles round-trip from West Willow Peak to even better views at Stevens Peak, where one can look north over Stevens Lakes, eastward at glistening Mission Mountains, westward to groomed runs of Silver Mountain and south over sea of lesser peaks and ridges. Area not quite as accessible to snowmobiles as areas farther east at Lookout Pass.

Comments: Route will gain nearly 2,900 feet from trailhead to plateau just below West Willow Peak. Put skins on skis immediately and start slogging up road along Boulder Creek.

Bear left at fork with short spur road that drops down to creek. Pass above quarry. When road becomes indiscernible, continue uphill, staying above creek on left side of drainage.

Route eventually flattens in small meadow area at base of bowl. Pass under open rock outcroppings to left, then angle eastward and begin switchbacking climb through sparse timber. Slope finally moderates on broad plateau just below summit of West Willow Peak. Lots of good telemarking, camping and touring potential from here.

Choice trip extension follows ridge south from West Willow Peak to east-west ridge. Then heads east to summit of Stevens Peak. This extension not recommended in poor visibility conditions. Area has major cornices and rock outcroppings. Another option heads west from Stevens Peak to Gold Hill area.

Good telelmarking runs fan out on west-facing flanks of West Willow Peak. Some gullies have serious avalanche potential, however.

Return to trailhead via same route. On way back, trail occasionally may seem much more cluttered with brush as it snags your skis and slaps your face - especially as spring thaws expose more brush.

Exit easy in powder snow, but can be tough in crud conditions, because of narrow trail that makes snowplowing difficult. Novice skiers may want to use rope treads to slow descent in bad conditions.

Always check avalanche forecast before making this trip. Call (208) 765-7323 or check Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/ outernet/ipnf/avalanche.html/ Forecast updated each Friday. Don’t go if danger high. Even if danger low, spread out and move through avalanche zones quickly. Carry full backcountry gear, including extra clothes, food, shovel, climbing skins and avalanche transceivers.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of West Willow Peak backcountry ski tour

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