Trip
Backcountry Nordic Skiing – Mesa Cortina Trailhead to South Willow Creek Falls
Mesa Cortina but not all of the way to the falls. This ski tour is 9 miles out and back with approximately 1200 feet in elevation gain. The mileage can be extended towards South Willow Creek Falls but enters avalanche terrain after approximately 1 mile this would be 9 miles out and back. There are several other trails in the area and depending on conditions additional mileage could be pursued.
Contacts
- Wed, Feb 26, 2025
- Bobcats Section
- Backcountry Nordic Skiing
- Adults
- Challenging
- Challenging
- Mileage: 9.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,010 ft
- High Point Elevation: 9,700 ft
- Pace: 2.5
- 3 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Woolly Mammoth park-and-ride section BB 7 AM. Carpooling to be arranged at that time.
This is number 88 in the Dave Muller Quiet Winter Trails CMC guidebook. In that book this is a 7 mile out and back. We will try to add an additional 2 miles, depending on conditions. This trail is described as a demanding trail. It ascends and rises several times before reaching the turnaround point at an open meadow below Buffalo Mountain, within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. It is rated more difficult with the least amount of avalanche danger. Importantly it is described as being about as difficult on the return as it was outbound.
Please consider the following before signing up:
- Average moving pace is 2.5 mph.
- If conditions are less than optimal the skiing will likely be more difficult.
- This is not a ski tour for beginners or those who have not skied much this year. This should not be your first or 2nd ski tour of the year.
- As described in the guidebook this tour is demanding.
- You should possess at least moderate skills on skis. These are described in the CMC guidelines as ability to ski moderate terrain with slopes of up to 25° with trees and other obstacles at a reasonable speed without frequent falls.
Required Equipment
Skins are important on this tour.