| Black Bess | |
|---|---|
| Drainage | Grizzly Gulch |
| Trailhead | Grizzly Gulch Trailhead |
| Terrain | Open Glades |
| Ascent Vertical | 1,600' |
| Skinning Distance | 1.7 miles |
| Location | 40.5964° / -111.6122° |
| Online Map | View on wbskiing.com |
Black Bess is one of the main runs on the north side of Grizzly Gulch. It starts at the top of the Honeycomb Cliffs and descends into Grizzly Gulch. (See all of the named runs on the north side of Grizzly Gulch.)
Depending on the line you choose, Black Bess ranges from the low 20-degrees to the low 30-degrees.
Follow the directions to Twin Lakes Pass from the Grizzly Gulch trailhead. When you reach the pass, turn left (north) and ascend the ridge, staying in the trees, until you reach the top of the Honeycomb Cliffs.
About the Name
Although the Alta snowcat skiers have named every skiable line on the north side of Grizzly Gulch, most backcountry skiers simply refer to everything that is looker's-right of Black Bess as "Black Bess" and everything that is looker's-left of Black Bess as "Michigan City." Given the finite amount of terrain, that's a reasonable naming strategy.
Black Bess is named after a mine that is in Honeycomb Canyon. Don't confuse the Black Bess in Grizzly Gulch with the Black Bess run in the Honeycomb Cliffs (just above Solitude's Summit chairlift).
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.
