South Lookout Pk. - Magnum Couloir


San Juan Range - CO

South Lookout Pk . - 13,380' 

“Magnum” Couloir


Almost pulled the plug on this tour due to the approaching storm and the huge apron we had to navigate with a likely suncrust from the clear warm day before. Indeed the storm closed in as we got to the apron above treeline. We made quick work of the firm apron with ski crampons, the storm intensified as we made it to the confines of the couloir. Then the reward, the chute was in an optimal direction for the strom and ended up catching and collecting about a foot of snow from the storm…good thing we didn’t pull the plug on the tour:)

Setting the pack - Kristin

Setting the pack - Kristin

 
Upper pitches - Kevin

Upper pitches - Kevin

 
Todd and Kevin

Todd and Kevin

 
Enjoying a slight break in the storm - Kristin

Enjoying a slight break in the storm - Kristin

 
About a foot of fresh collected in the chute during our climb - Todd

About a foot of fresh collected in the chute during our climb - Todd

 
Day Before from Yellow Mtn - Magnum Couloir

Day Before from Yellow Mtn - Magnum Couloir

 
Spring Pow - Kevin

Spring Pow - Kevin

 
Post Ski - Magnum Couloir

Post Ski - Magnum Couloir

 
Kristin

Kristin

White and Gold - Bike'n the San Juan's

Fall colors and biking!  What more can you ask for?  Snow?  Well we got a little bit of the white stuff too.  We spent the week camping, exploring and biking some zones new to us. All were top notch and we will defiantly be visiting again.  Some of our favorites from the trip include Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, "RAT" trails in Ridgway, and Phil's World in Cortez.  Trail maps of these zones will be listed at the bottom of the post.  We wrapped up the trip with a high elevation ride around iconic Engineer Mtn. near Coal Bank pass in the San Juan mountains.  We were both pleasantly surprised by the quality downhill single track from Engineer mtn, and highly recommend it!

Meeting mommy at the end of her ride

Meeting mommy at the end of her ride

 
West Needle and Twilight Pks loom above at the exit of the Engineer Mtn Trail - Kristin

West Needle and Twilight Pks loom above at the exit of the Engineer Mtn Trail - Kristin

 
The Joker Mine

The Joker Mine

 
Playing while mom rides - "RAT" trails

Playing while mom rides - "RAT" trails

 
Aspens

Aspens

 
Hitchhiker - Phil's World

Hitchhiker - Phil's World

 
Pass Creek Trail - San Juan's

Pass Creek Trail - San Juan's

 
Yankee Girl Mine & Red Mountain #2

Yankee Girl Mine & Red Mountain #2

 
Snowing at treeline - Engineer Mtn.

Snowing at treeline - Engineer Mtn.

 
Phil's World Flows

Phil's World Flows

 
The mighty San Juan's - Ridgway

The mighty San Juan's - Ridgway

 
Shuttle pickup for Engineer Mtn Trail

Shuttle pickup for Engineer Mtn Trail

 
Tree Goof

Tree Goof

 
Pond

Pond

 
My Bubs

My Bubs

 
Soon to be snow covered

Soon to be snow covered

 
Engineer Mtn

Engineer Mtn

 
Smiles

Smiles

 

Interactive Maps of Zones we Rode:

  • top ride listed to the right 
  • click trails or ride names to get detailed information