Many of us have hiked the Asulkan Trail which ends at the Asulkan (ACC) Hut.   This is a favorite route and has been described before (Asulkan Trail – Sept. 2013).

We have scrambled above the hut several times, but eventually we reach the ice and have to cross the glacier, but we know to go onto the ice only if we are roped up and have the proper equipment, unless it is winter.   We have skied up to the hut with skins and beyond, right into the pass.

When winter snows cover the crevices, this is a good route with a nice long downhill ski on the return.  When skiing up from Wheeler Hut, there is a section in the Asulkan Valley which is in an “avalanche alley,” expecially from the slopes of Mount Abbott and the Rampart.   The hiking trail goes up onto the opposite side on a wooded sideslope and skiers/snowshoers should also go this way.  Farther up, a central path away from potential avalanches from either side is a safer choice.   We skied right into the pass for the view south over to The Witch Tower and Mount Dawson.

We also enjoyed traversing over to the Asulkan Ridge under Mount Jupiter, but this should only be done in safe snow conditions.

Some of these photos are from long-past ventures, but are still vivid in memory.