Pickhandle point is one of those peaks in the Crystal Mountain Backcountry that has great runs in all directions. Being one of those peaks that splits into three separated drainage you can work with conditions and always find a good line. From open tree skiing on the west side to a wide open swath to the south side it’s not hard to find something that suits what you are looking for. This time around both Ben and I were searching for a spot that would have powder still after a warm front had made its way through the Cascades.
Heading up into Pickhandle Basin
After going through telemetry charts and chatting with locals at all the surrounding ski resorts we came to find that Crystal Mountain had dodged the rain bullet. With that in mind we we packed our stuff and started heading for Crystal Friday morning in hopes of finding some good snow. Arriving at the car park it was a warm and cloudy day. From our vantage point we couldn’t see any snow hanging onto the trees on the upper slopes. Not being deterred we started skinning up Gold Hills making our way towards Pickhandle Basin.
Once arriving in the Basin we had hopes of riding the S face of Crown Point but quickly realized it would be wind scoured. A large wind event was coming from the south and these were not the aspects that would deliver good snow. Instead we focused our attention on the North side of Pickhandle peak putting in a low angle skin track. At first we traversed through the lower and anchored trees before following the ridge to the high point.
Taking Our First Lap on the North Side of Pickhandle Point
While skinning up we checked out the snow conditions by putting in steep kick turns. Things didn’t seem to move as we made our way across to the top of Pickhandle Point. After strapping in we did a ski cut into a zone of safety before watching the second person drop in. I went first taking a turn before heading to the side before watching Ben ride the north facing gully.
While the snow wasn’t blower powder it was still nice and soft and the terrain was steep enough to make the area enjoyable. With a skin track already in place it warranted another run riding to the flats below.
Our Second Lap on Pickhandle Point
For our second lap we started with the same process of me dropping in first and riding into the crux and off to an island of safety. My ski cut produced a small slab that ran about 200 feet. With a debris pile down the gut now we focused our attention on hitting up the sidewalls.
This time around we rode all the way to the flats of Pickhandle Basin before transitioning for our final descent. We had just got done laying tracks into the two main gullies and decided that it warranted going somewhere else.
Exiting Pickhandle Basin and Heading for Bullion Peak
Whatever line we made next would be our final run back to Crystal Mountain so we needed to think of the best fall line. Knowing the Pickhandle Basin was flat we decided to skin up a low col and followed the Northerly ridge. Soon we had skinned up and over Crown Point before arriving at the summit of Bullion Point in a strong wind.
Before long we were strapped in and riding down the SW slopes of Bullion Point ski cutting occasionally and not getting anything to move. As we rode down the snow was good on both the walls and in the gully. It was a direct route towards the ski resort and put us below the lower waterfall. Soon we were exiting via Gold Hills and riding down to the car. We were able to find descent snow and terrain to keep us entertained for the day and happy with our decision to head out to Pickhandle Peak
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