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Bonkers

Salt Lake City

Wasatch Backcountry

If you're looking for great long powder runs, this is one of the finest around!

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
1.6 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
713 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.5 km
High Point
3.2 km
Gradient
41˚
Bonkers Map

The Wasatch is known for powder and Bonkers is one of the classic powder runs. To access, start at the Broads Fork Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon, follow the summer trail through the trees until you pop out at the base, then skin up.

Description

Bonkers was a favorite powder haunt of the helicopter ski operations back before this area was designated as wilderness. Now it's only available to the backcountry skiers willing to put in the time and effort to hike in to it. It's a very worthwhile run if you're looking for a long, wide, open area with plenty of room to turn. It's a pretty straightforward ascent and descent with most parties putting in a nice tight skin track up the lookers right to gain the ridge. The upper slopes are in the mid to upper 30 degree range, then it mellows out quickly to a very enjoyable powder skipping pitch. If you ski all the way down to the flats it's nearly 2,000 feet long! A great spot to put in a few laps, but tricky to navigate when it's cloudy since there aren't any trees to help with visibility.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between January and April

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area