Spread-Eagle peak south face

Spread Eagle Peak Utah Backcountry Skiing in the Uinta Mountains

June 15th, 2017    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock & Roll.  And if you do want to rock and roll there is no better place than Spread Eagle Peak.  Access is difficult, but there won't be any tracks when you get there.

Spread Eagle Peak Utah Backcountry Skiing Uinta Mountains

Backcountry Skiing Spread Eagle Peak

Spread your wings if you want to ski the Spread Eagle!  This peak is steep!  There are skiable chutes off the south face and a couple off the NW aspect nearest Ostler Peak.  We skied the NW chute nearest to Ostler Peak.  I call our line the "House Chute".   It's a chute that starts off just below the summit.  The entry is super steep and somewhat tight.  The chute has good visibility from top to bottom,  so you can ski the whole thing knowing your partners can see you.  The good line of sight helps with avalanche safety.  Midway down the chute chokes into a narrow alley riddled with rocks.  This is where you gotta point them and trust in the base material of your skis.  Once through the choke, you can open up your turns and Spread Eagle. With a consistently steep, long,fall-line and good line of visibility from top to bottom, the "House" chute is one of the best!  But remember, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!

Spread Eagle Peak Utah Backcountry Skiing Uinta Mountains

The backcountry spring skiing off SpreadEagle and Hayden Peaks includes long skiable lines.

Spread Eagle Peak Route

Spread Eagle Peak Access route.  It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!   Our trip took us from the Highline Trail on the Mirror Lake Highway, over Hayden Pass, and into the middle Basin where we camped overnight near Ryder Lake.  The next day we made our way north to Spread Eagle Peak.   Access from the Highline trail off the main highway is not possible without overnight camping. Another way to access Spread Eagle Peak is to take the Mirror Lake highway to Christmas Meadows road (057) between the Highline trailhead and Bear River Lodge.  Go to the end of the road and start down the Christmas Meadow / Stillwater trail.  Head left at the Amethyse Lake junction.     Spread Eagle Peak Utah Backcountry Skiing Uinta Mountains