Gilpin Peak Ski
Date: 03/11/2026
Partner: Solo
Start: Camp Bird Mine (caught a ride from the winter closure)
End: Camp Bird Road Winter Closure
Distance: 11m
Elevation Gain: 3200ft
Elevation Drop: 4700ft
GPX
Despite being mid March, Camp Bird Road was completely dry from the winter closure to the gate above the mine.
As I was starting up the road I was lucky enough to catch a ride with my old neighbor Chris who works at the mine. The lift saved 3 miles, 1500ft and an hour of walking. This surprise start to the day had me extra stroked for a solo bluebird winter day in Yankee Boy.
As always the Yankee Boy views were off the hook however the snow was a mixed bag... crusty wind board on the north face followed by creamy pow and corn. I will take what I can get on this record low snow year. Any day in Yankee Boy is a day well spent... especially with skis.
![Gilpin ski 01]()
11m - 3200ft - 5hrs 30min (got a ride to mine in the morning saving 3 miles and 1500ft)
![Gilpin ski 02]()
Once in the upper basin the Yankee Boy views opened up. Cirque Mountain to the north
![Gilpin ski 03]()
Stony Mountain's north face sporting some tracks
![Gilpin ski 04]()
Gilpin's east face
![Gilpin ski 05]()
Kismet's south face looking a little thin
![Gilpin ski 06]()
Gilpin's north face
![Gilpin ski 07]()
Sneffels and Kismet
![Gilpin ski 08]()
Kismet's south face
![Gilpin ski 09]()
Sneffels
![Gilpin ski 10]()
The big line on Gilpin's north face was thin up high and guarded by a cornice... not for today
![Gilpin ski 11]()
I booted the most northwest col on Gilpin's north face... crusty wind board. Not bad to boot but not great to ski
![Gilpin ski 12]()
Once at the top of the col I traversed south on the ridge to the summit
![Gilpin ski 13]()
Emma looking impressive to the south
![Gilpin ski 14]()
The last little bit to Gilpin's summit
![Gilpin ski 15]()
Great perspective on Sneffels and Kismet
![Gilpin ski 16]()
Telluride to the south
![Gilpin ski 17]()
Cirque Mountain to the northeast
![Gilpin ski 19]()
Teakettle to the northeast
![Gilpin ski 18]()
Potosi to the east
![Gilpin ski 20]()
Dallas to the west
![Gilpin ski 21]()
The Wilson Group to the southwest
![Gilpin ski 22]()
The ultra burly Blocktops T4, T3 and T2. T1 is out of view
![Gilpin ski 23]()
Giddy to ski wind board and crust off of a somewhat spicy entrance. It was thin and rocky high on the line
![Gilpin ski 24]()
Looking back up my boot tracks after skiing some pretty awful snow. Thankfully it would get better!
![Gilpin ski 25]()
Some creamy powder followed by corn brought me back to the road and the 3 mile walk back to my truck
























