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Great spring ski descent from near the summit of Mount Aetna.


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Map Key

1.2

Miles

2.0

KM

Ski Line

13,593' 4,143 m

High

10,806' 3,294 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

2,787' 850 m

Down

43%

Avg Slope (23°)

60%

Max Slope (31°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

III D7 R2
This is the prominent couloir seen while descending the east side of Monarch Pass. Descend from near the summit of 13,649' Mount Aetna. Might as well summit as well—from the top of the ski run it is a short ascending traverse to the summit of Mount Aetna. Good views of Monarch Pass and Monarch Ski Area.

Need to Know

Avalanche hazard can be high—choose wisely if you decide to do this.

Description

The west side of this couloir will hold snow into early summer while the east side is usually bare rock. Park at Garfield (Monarch) on the north side of Highway 50, just up and across from Monarch Lodge. Don't park in the private lot for the snowmobile tours. There is limited parking to the left of the base of County Road 230.

Hike up County Road 230 to the base of the descent and climb up near your intended descent line. The hardest part of the ski is at the top. By stopping shorter, the skiing difficulty can be kept to Intermediate.

Contacts

Shared By:

Péter Bodig with improvements by Thomas Beatty

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 3 votes

#1

in Monarch Pass

#264

Overall
  4.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#1

in Monarch Pass

#74

in Colorado

#264

Overall
51 Views Last Month
1,828 Since Nov 21, 2019
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

33%
0%
0%
0%
67%
0%

Photos

The upper portion of The Grand.
May 17, 2021 near Whitepine, CO
Looking down from the top of the Grand Couloir. Monarch Ski Area is visible in the background.
Nov 21, 2019 near Whitepine, CO
Whit looking up at the couloir from the looker's-right snowfield.
May 17, 2021 near Whitepine, CO
The grand couloir, seen from the east ridge.
Feb 20, 2024 near Whitepine, CO
Looking down the grand couloir, from the top.
Feb 20, 2024 near Whitepine, CO
Looking back at fresh turns in the Grand Couloir.
Feb 20, 2024 near Whitepine, CO

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