Tripel Trees

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This is class 3 avalanche terrain. Despite the proximity to a road and parking lot this is not sidecountry terrain—this is rugged, steep, and potentially dangerous ground. Study this line and explore the area before attempting to ride it, and if you do you should probably have a partner who is adequately experienced and comfortable in avalanche terrain.

Rarely ridden but a thrilling line for anyone who knows it, this chute in a series of steep, narrow, and rocky south facing drainages is risky along with the thrill. The top begins on a steep, treed face with openings in the trees leading into a more open, but tight gully.

Several drainages flow together near the middle, then rock outcrops near the bottom create a channel that can be a challenge to navigate on a thin snow year. With a deep snowpack, there are ways to ride through with a series of small drops, when the snowpack is thin the bottom of this line melts out and a steep class 3 downclimb is necessary to exit the line. It's also possible to end up on top of some large rocks if you leave the gully to either side.

It is recommended to explore this area during the summer or hike up from the bottom at times of low avalanche hazard before attempting to ride this particular line so you can become familiar with the terrain.