Loveland Peak was named after local WESC activist Shannon Loveland. It offers a relativly low risk approach with a reward of steep lines or moderate powder runs.
At this time parking is near the lake at the top of pass, past the DOT camp there is also parking around the bend on the left. Do not park at the camp, as it is not permitted. It is possible to park along side the road near the corner but if the plows are operating your car could get burmed in or towed.
The approach is straight forward and offers very little route finding difficulties. From the roadway make your way uphill until you reach the pipeline, it is underground and signified by what looks like a road. Follow the pipe pad until you reach the highest point where the Loveland Ridge meets the pad. Follow the ridge up to the glacier. Once on the glacier it is possible to access the summit. The ridge and south face can see a lot of wind yet the skiing can still be good in the protected area's of the NE descent.
Off of the summit you have a choice between skiing back toward your car in a NE direction or dropping off the impressive south face. If you ski back toward your car it is possible to ski some nice but short chutes directly off the summit back onto the glacier. A few thousand feet of powder turns gets you back to the car.
The south face has also been skied from the summit. Angles are moderate at 30-40 degrees and the line is relatively clean. It is a little bit a ski out from the base. This line has been completed all the way down to the highway at 19 mile but conditions must be right as there is a lot of brush down lower. |
