Type: Backcountry/Off-piste, Backcountry, Touring
Altitude: 10,600 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 1,855 ft / 1,855 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Snowfall: 380 in
Filed Under: Cultural, Hiking, Skiing
There is a huge potential for backcountry skiing near Montezuma, and this is just one place. This run follows one of many valleys south of Montezuma that holds snow for the Snake River headwaters.
See a map: http://thoos.com/mapview/167
As of winter 2006, you must park at the Deer Creek Trailhead as the Webster Pass Trailhead has no parking. From the town of Montezuma, drive south for approximately 1 mile and note signs pointing east (identifying the road to Webster Pass) and signs pointing further south (to the parking area). Park 1 mile further south at the end of the plowed road and hike back 1 mile along Montezuma Road to Webster Pass Road where road is plowed to a maximum of 4" snow for local landowners to access their property. Near their private property you will encounter another sign that provides direction towards Webster Pass.
Depending on the snow you may be able to hike a while, but more than likely you will be putting on the skins here. Once past the seasonal closure gate, you will be skiing up the valley for approximately 2 miles. Be careful here as you will be passing thru the runout zones of avalanche terrain so it is best to travel along the snowmobile route in the center of the valley floor. Around two miles you will round a bend and be at the terminus of the valley. Your objective will be visible now and you can plan your attack.
There are many options for descent ranging from easy rollers opening up into a very wide (200ft) chute to very narrow rocky couloirs with high fall consequences. The average slope at the top is around 40-50 degrees, and the bottoms half mellows out to 20-30 degrees. The average vertical drop from ridge to valley is around 700 - 850ft. Take a few minutes to scope out your options as things look much differently once on the top.
The best ascent is the obvious saddle (Webster Pass) on "lookers left" side of Handcart Peak. Allow yourself at least an hour from the valley to the summit and along the ridge to wherever you want to drop in. It doesn't look like much, but the scale of this valley is huge. In late spring, consider skiing Landslide Peak to the north of Webster Pass as snow holds much longer due to large wind drifts the past winter.
After you do a lap, retrace your route from the valley back to your car, or scope out another run. The roundtrip for this tour from the Webster Pass gate is exactly 7 miles with 1855 ft of vertical gain/drop. Add another 2 miles each way due to parking issues near Montezuma.
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