| Beartrap Aspens | |
|---|---|
| Drainage | Beartrap Fork |
| Terrain | Aspen Trees |
| Ascent Vertical | 1,600' |
| Skiing Vertical | 800' |
| Skinning Distance | 1.3 miles |
| Location | 40.6449° / -111.6084° |
| Online Map | View on wbskiing.com |
The aspen grove on the looker's-right (east) slope of Beartrap Fork is a good choice if you're short on time or the avalanche hazard is significant.
There is plenty of good skiing through the (occasionally tight) aspen trees. You can pick the aspect, from northwest to southwest, based on the snow conditions. It's best to avoid the area just above the aspens, and just below the steep rocky hill, because the rocky slope is steep enough to, and frequently does, avalanche (it buried a skier on January 24, 2010). The rest of the Beartrap Aspens has low avalanche risk. This would be beginner terrain if it weren't for the trees.
Follow the instructions to Beartrap Fork. Skirt to the right of the terrain-trap gully that is mentioned in those instructions. When you are the a small ridge, just above the gully, the trail splits with the left branch heading downhill slightly to rejoin the track after the gully and the right branch climbing up through the aspens. Take the right branch and switchback up through the aspens. (It's also common to have a skin track just after the gully that climbs up through the aspens. Take your pick.)
Beginner terrain
that is good as you develop your backcountry skills and when the avalanche danger is higher. Click for details.
Intermediate
terrain that requires more experience in skinning and skiing. Click for details.
Advanced terrain
that requires strong skiing and skinning skills. Click for details.
Expert terrain that is
challenging and a small mistake can have serious consequences. Click for details.
Extreme terrain
that includes insanely difficult chute skiing and beyond. Click for details.
The difficulty of this terrain
varies widely. Click for details.
This terrain hasn't
been rated. Click for details.
