St. Vrain in winter

Day trip to explore and climb St. Vrain Mt. This goes along much better terrain for backcountry skiing than the area of the former Rock Creek ski resort.

Just follow the 'East Slopes' route described on SummitPost to the saddle south of Meadow mt at N40.17038 W105.56970 at 11,203'. It is typically wind scoured on the top of the saddle and its west face. Great skiing opportunities might be found from here down to N40.16969 W105.55823 at 10,243'. There are good, obvious options for laps/reps between those points. It is possible to follow the summer St. Vrain trail as a catwalk out. Be careful below N40.16986 W105.54391 at 9,398', it looks to often have exposed rocks below that, so maybe put your skins on or carry your skis at that point.  

The snow conditions were not great on this particular outing. The recent couple feet of snow had melted/crusted in above average temperatures for at least a week before my visit. The low-lying fog above the Front Range metro was a treat though - it always seems surreal being up above that!  

link to photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19047247@N04/albums/72157662437004934