Goose Creek to Chestnut Mountain Summit

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Start at Goose Creek trailhead, and follow standard skin track for first 1.5 miles. The normal uptrack ends at two gnarled old trees as you reach the south ridge of Chestnut Mountain. Usually, this is also where you'll get hit by high wind blasts coming over the ridge from the west! Continue to the middle of the ridge crest, then turn right and follow the highest point of the ridge as it climbs north, gradually moving to the west (skier's left) side of the ridge.

Expect the whole way along the ridge to be windy, and snow to be wind-scoured and some sastrugi along the way. It flattens for about a half mile, then makes a small climb, then is mostly flat on to the summit. You'll know you're at the summit when the top of the ridge suddenly drops down into dense trees further to the north. Return on your uptrack (might want to keep skins on during the first flat part back along the ridge), or possibly drop down the drainage due east of the summit, and turn right when you hit the Forest Service road - this will take you south to re-join the uptrack route.