Powder Park 3 Access

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This ascent marks the easiest way in and out of the Powder Park III area, and to the top of a peak known as "the cone." You could also ascend to the top of Short Swing, then cross the saddle to the east-north-east, but the path shown here is easier and avoids the cornices that tend to develop at the top of Short Swing.

Be sure to avoid the terrain trap gully that runs parallel to the shown path where it meets the main Mill D North Fork trail. An avalanche here would pile snow deep and high.

Once at the top of the cone, there are many descent options that bring you back to your skin track where you can do another lap. You could also drop into Beartrap Fork from here, but this commits you to re-ascending the cone to go back the way you came, or to going car-to-car, or worse, hiking the BCC road.

Note that an avalanche starting from the cone was reported the year of this writing (2019). Choose your descent wisely. Some aspects are steeper than others.

Please remember to leave some fresh pow for me. I'm not far behind.