Date: April 26, 2008
Team: Christy, Ted
Route: East Face
We made the easy drive to Frisco, and then up to the Spruce Creek Trailhead, a popular starting point for those heading up to Francie’s Cabin. The route up to the hut is a well traveled road, and it wasn’t long before we were cresting treeline and catching our first glances of Crystal Peak. It’s broad, triangular East Face was looking full of snow, as east facing slopes typically do this time of year.
The skin up Crystal is straightforward. We followed the contours of a creek to the base of the face, and then began switchbacking up. It’s entirely skin-able, it actually reminded us of Mount Hayden back in Aspen. Clouds moved in and out as we ascended which kept the temps from getting too high, which was a good thing as there was recent snow and the conditions looked sweet for the ski down. We didn’t want the snow to get trashed by the heat.
We stacked turns down the face, and back towards the hut, and then cruised the easy route back tot he truck. Crystal is a great Centennial 13er ski descent, and based on our day up here, a favorite of ours.
Some more photos:
