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The Sheep Lake Couloir is a steep 1,300′ couloir dropping off the NE face of Chinook Peak towards Sheep Lake. The line is aesthetic…a gash down the prominent face that begs to be skied! It is accessed most commonly from the Crystal Mountain ski area by starting inbounds and skinning (or riding lifts) from the resort through the backcountry gates. The views during this tour are outstanding on a clear day. Nearby Mount Rainier feels so close you could touch it! In fact, this wouldn't be a half bad place to scout the Emmons trade route if you're into slogging up glaciers. However, I doubt you'll be thinking much about mountaineering when you have a really fun ski line beneath your ski tips. The couloir does not exceed 42 degrees in any one place, and for the most part, stays in the upper 30-degree range. The most challenging part of the couloir is the choke, which is around halfway down the couloir. Once past the choke, the line opens up to a wonderful apron where you can really open it up! The couloir is best accessed from the south side of Chinook Peak by wrapping around the SE side and then dropping in from the top. Take some laps in the area to make the day a longer outing...there are so many great couloirs in this zone!!
Unless you are able to go early season before Highway 410 is closed for the season, or you have a snowmobile, you will be accessing the line from the Crystal Mountain ski resort. The most popular way to get to the Sheep Lake area is through the Southback backcountry gate. Begin skinning, or ride a lift, to the top of the Quicksilver lift and head for Threeway Peak. Your aim should be the east saddle of Threeway. From the saddle, ski south down towards the Morse Creek drainage. You want to stay on the higher benches and not drop too far down the Morse Creek drainage. The most direct way to Sheep Lake from here would be to skin up to the prominent saddle to the south, which lies west of Cupalo Rock. It is a broad saddle which will allow you to ski down towards Sheep Lake itself. Ski down from this saddle to the SW towards Sheep Lake. If visibility is good, you will see the striking Sheep Lake couloir...it’s impossible to miss. Slashing down and to looker’s left, the line is amazing and will get you pumped for your ski descent. From Sheep Lake, climb up towards climber’s left (to the SE) and wrap around Chinook Peak to access the broad slopes on the south side. You will be traversing some steep-er south facing aspects, so be considerate of the warming snowpack. Your final climb up the gradual slopes of Chinook will bring you to the top of your line. Peer down the couloir and get stoked for your awesome descent!!
The crux of the line is the choke, which is around halfway down the couloir. Here, the width of the couloir narrows to just over the length of your skis. You’ll have to either open it up or side slip for a bit through the choke. It is not overly steep, just narrow.
The Sheep Lake zone is FULL of amazing couloirs...too many to count. Get an early start and head over to Sheep Lake, then add some laps over in the Crystal Lake zone for some amazing bowls, unnamed couloirs, and powder! You can also venture over to the G-String Couloir further to the east for a full-value day!
