Quandary Peak Cristo Couloir

April 30, 2022
Quandary Peak 14,265'
Cristo Couloir

Laura, Brian and I pulled into the trailhead just a mile off the highway and met up with Isaac and Nicole. We'd have to walk the 2 miles on the road since the gate to Blue Lakes was still closed. The road was mostly dry and we made great time getting to the base of Cristo Couloir. The snow started just above the lake and by the time we all had crampons on, was beginning to soften. While everyone else got ready, I found a few large rocks to add to my pack as training for our upcoming trip to Denali and set off up the couloir. I lead the way and pushed through the snow to my ankles with every step. I summitted at 10 am and since the others were still down in the couloir, I descended about 400' and climbed back up chatting with Brian. We were back on the summit again at 10:40 am. We all hung out and ate and drank while looking at the snowcapped mountains that surrounded us. The wind was blowing steady with a visible storm in the distance so we got off the summit and descended the way we came up, reaching the cars at the trailhead and cracking a beer before 1 pm. Laura, Brian and I went back to the cabin and spent the afternoon doing some Denali prep setting up the tent and practicing crevasse rescue. Even with a decent freeze overnight, 7 am was too late to start and the snow conditions could have been better. Note - when parking at the low gate rather than at blue lakes, descending the standard trail is as fast as descending Cristo and walking the road.