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Morse Creek North Bowl
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
6.59 mi
4,222 ft
A great and scenic ski tour just South of Crystal Mountain
The Beyond Southback Loop is one of my favourite ski tours south of the resort which offers 4 ski descents with 3 of them being quite nice. This is a great way to see what the terrain offers and the main run of the trip will hold snow much longer than most areas in the surrounding area. This is more of a tour then focusing on ski descents but don’t let this discourage you. If you have the time and the energy it is worth it.
Starting off at the base of Crystal Mountain make your way up the Quicksilver ski run before entering Silver Basin. Once within the basin make your way towards the East Col of 3 Way Peak. Standing on top and looking to the south you can see a nice open bowl, this is what you will be going for. From here you can wrap around the on the south slopes before going to another low col and climbing up to the next high point just west. Drop the East facing slope as it offers great turns and leaves you in the perfect spot for your next ascent.
Once in Morse Creek Basin the best and safest route is via Sourdough Gap as you would be exposed to avalanche slopes the whole time if climbing the objective. Drop into Sheep Lake Basin but after a few turns make a hard traverse to the skiers left until arriving at the base of the ridge you need to climb. Switch to skinning and gain the hundred feet up to the top and from here you are standing on top of your line.
Up at the top you can ride down either the left or right side but once getting lower stay in the main basin which drops all the way to the valley floor. Keep your speed in hopes of making it to the shores of Placer Lake as this is a great reference point for your final climb of the day.
From Placer Lake the route up to Dogleg Peak is through dense trees so it can get quite confusing. What you need to do is leave the North shore of the lake and head mainly north but loosely heading east to wrap around into the basin just below Dogleg Peak. Once there make sure to climb on the Southwest side as it is the safest and easiest route to the summit. Once arriving on top take a moment to look back and see how far you traveled. Now it is time to ride back to the base and if you want a less technical route just ride the Dogleg Bowl but I prefer the Dogleg Chute. Riding into the basin you will have to skin across Lower Henskin Lake but before long you will be on top of the Quicksilver run and riding all the way to the base.
Click here for a trip within the area and much more photos
Written by Kyle Miller
The Beyond Southback Loop is one of my favourite ski tours south of the resort which offers 4 ski descents with 3 of them being quite nice. This is a great way to see what the terrain offers and the main run of the trip will hold snow much longer than most areas in the surrounding area. This is more of a tour then focusing on ski descents but don’t let this discourage you. If you have the time and the energy it is worth it.
Starting off at the base of Crystal Mountain make your way up the Quicksilver ski run before entering Silver Basin. Once within the basin make your way towards the East Col of 3 Way Peak. Standing on top and looking to the south you can see a nice open bowl, this is what you will be going for. From here you can wrap around the on the south slopes before going to another low col and climbing up to the next high point just west. Drop the East facing slope as it offers great turns and leaves you in the perfect spot for your next ascent.
Once in Morse Creek Basin the best and safest route is via Sourdough Gap as you would be exposed to avalanche slopes the whole time if climbing the objective. Drop into Sheep Lake Basin but after a few turns make a hard traverse to the skiers left until arriving at the base of the ridge you need to climb. Switch to skinning and gain the hundred feet up to the top and from here you are standing on top of your line.
Up at the top you can ride down either the left or right side but once getting lower stay in the main basin which drops all the way to the valley floor. Keep your speed in hopes of making it to the shores of Placer Lake as this is a great reference point for your final climb of the day.
From Placer Lake the route up to Dogleg Peak is through dense trees so it can get quite confusing. What you need to do is leave the North shore of the lake and head mainly north but loosely heading east to wrap around into the basin just below Dogleg Peak. Once there make sure to climb on the Southwest side as it is the safest and easiest route to the summit. Once arriving on top take a moment to look back and see how far you traveled. Now it is time to ride back to the base and if you want a less technical route just ride the Dogleg Bowl but I prefer the Dogleg Chute. Riding into the basin you will have to skin across Lower Henskin Lake but before long you will be on top of the Quicksilver run and riding all the way to the base.
Click here for a trip within the area and much more photos
Written by Kyle Miller
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