Mount Wilson Boxcar Couloir
Date: 03/18/2026
Partners: Eric Ahlstedt
Trailhead: Cross Mountain TH (Lizardhead Pass)
Distance: 12.7m
Elevation Gain: 5600ft
Duration: 10 Hours (includes 2 hour wind intermission and nap at treeline)
GPX
Mount Wilson's east face to Boxcar Couloir is a high quality "don't miss" ski objective... put this one at the top of your list.
The approach from Cross Mountain TH to Slate Creek Basin isn't difficlut but it does require navigational attention as is twists, turns, ascends and desends. My track illustrates that you need to pay attention on both approach and exit hahaha!
In addition... while we didn't have any supportability issues... this approach would be hell with unsupportable snow.
With that said, skiing Mount Wilson is roughly 3500ft of quality skiing on fun moderately steep terrain. Everything feels big back there. We were lucky enough to get it in perfect corn.
Oh... Did I mention the views?
Won't forget this one soon!
![Wilson boxcar 01]()
12.7m - 5600ft - 10hrs (includes 2 hour wind intermission at treeline) - I would plan 8hrs RT next time
![Wilson boxcar 02]()
After skinning the undulating terrain from the TH to treeline at Slate Creek Basin, we took a 2 hour break to let the wind calm down. Eric getting things moving again post nap
![Wilson boxcar 03]()
The snow was firm and sometimes icy and the wind but the wind was manageable... at least for now. I wondered if the snow would corn up
![Wilson boxcar 04]()
Gladstone's mesmerizing south face is filled with towers and hallways
![Wilson boxcar 05]()
A glance to the saddle between Mount Wilson and South Wilson. Looks to be some pretty nice skiing up there
![Wilson boxcar 06]()
A sneak peak of the exit of Boxcar Couloir as we climb higher in Slate Creek Basin
![Wilson boxcar 07]()
Eric skinning past Gladstone
![Wilson boxcar 08]()
From treeline the basin ascends from south to north towards Gladstone and then turns sharply west and up to Mount Wilson's summit. This is where the wind picked up again... and boy did it!
![Wilson boxcar 09]()
Looking east to Lizard Head and the San Miguels
![Wilson boxcar 10]()
Although it wasn't steep, we switched to booting on firm slick snow. Eric battling the wind which knocked us both over a time or two
![Wilson boxcar 11]()
Big terrain on Mount Wilson's east face. We climbed and skied the col on the left
![Wilson boxcar 12]()
On step at a time sweet Jesus... please let the wind stop!
![Wilson boxcar 13]()
The wind began to settle as we climbed the summit col
![Wilson boxcar 14]()
Looking west to El Diente (Lone Cone on the right) from the top of the col
![Wilson boxcar 15]()
From the top of the col it was less than 100ft of easy class 3 scrambling to the summit
![Wilson boxcar 16]()
Eric poses for the cover of Peak Bagger Magazine
![Wilson boxcar 17]()
This was my 4th trip to Wilson's summit and the first with skis. In September of 2010 Wilson was my 14er finisher... so this is a special summit for me
![Wilson boxcar 18]()
Thanks for the register Kiefer and nice work on a January summit!
![Wilson boxcar 19]()
Summit views - Gladstone on the right - Wilson Peak on the Left
![Wilson boxcar 20]()
Transitioning to skis and a nice view of the easy class 3 pitch to Wilson's summit
![Wilson boxcar 21]()
Eric makes quick work of the first pitch. The entrance to Boxcar is the saddle looking feature in the center of this image.
![Wilson boxcar 22]()
Alex on the summit col... the wind had pretty much stopped and the snow was soft...
![Wilson boxcar 23]()
... with some variability at the exit of the col
![Wilson boxcar 24]()
Eric skis nice corn off of Wilson's east face en-route to Boxcar
![Wilson boxcar 25]()
Cool view of Wilson Peak behind Gladstone
![Wilson boxcar 26]()
Oh boy! Boxcar is looking good and has corned up perfectly
![Wilson boxcar 27]()
Alex in Boxcar
![Wilson boxcar 28]()
Eric in Boxcar
![Wilson boxcar 29]()
The couloir turns left and through a tighter hallway near the bottom
![Wilson boxcar 30]()
Pretty pretty pretty cool
![Wilson boxcar 31]()
Eric at the top of the hallway
![Wilson boxcar 32]()
Corn top to bottom
![Wilson boxcar 33]()
From the bottom of Boxcar we skied another 1700ft of corn before transitioning to skins for the exit. That adds up to 3400ft of quality skiing. I am still smiling as you are reading this
