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Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.98590°N / 106.8442°W |
Route Type:
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Hiking, Mountaineering, Skiing |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Time Required:
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A long day |
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Difficulty:
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Harder Skinning on Snow |
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Overview
This is the most popular and easiest way to climb West Pearl Mountain.Thanksgiving to the end of May:
West Pearl Mountain is usually not daytripped, but done with a stay at Tagert & Green Wilson Huts. From Tagert & Green Wilson Huts, West Pearl Mountain is about 1 mile and 2062 vertical feet away. Alternatively, West Pearl Mountain can be approached from Crested Butte with a stay at Friends Hut.
Summer Months:
The Tagert & Green Wilson Huts are closed and daytripping is more feasible since one can drive up the road an additional two miles to its intersection with Pearl Pass Road.
Getting There
Drive Highway 82 east from Glenwood Springs or west from Aspen. About 1 mile west of Aspen, at a roundabout, take Castle Creek Road south 11 miles to Ashcroft. This is the winter/early spring road closure. In late spring/summer this road can be followed an additional two miles to its intersection with the Pearl Pass Road.Roundtrip Distance From Ashcroft: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,364 feet
Recommended Climbing Season: Any
Route Description
Ski/snowshoe/drive/hike 2 miles up Castle Creek Road to a Y intersection. Head right up Pearl Pass Road. You'll pass Mace Chalet, Tagert Hut and Green Wilson Hut at 10,860', 11,250' and 11,280', respectively. From The Tagert Hut, West Pearl Mountain is visible. If skiing or snowboarding from the summit, scope your line, because there are a network of couloirs and some are continous and some are not. Either climb the couloirs or the northeast ridge. West Pearl Mountain's north-facing couloirs are an advanced glisse descent with a slope angle of about 40 degrees.
West Pearl Mountain From Pearl Basin