2.5 km away
Stairs Gulch
Stairs Gulch is 4,000 feet long, serious with a combination of a steep, technical chute and a flat, more mellow finish.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 1.5 km
Heart of Darkness Approach
Salt Lake City
Wasatch Backcountry
The approach to Heart of Darkness follows the summer trail in Mill B south then heads into the upper W branch.
Ski Touring Moderate
- Distance
- 5.3 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 66 m
- Duration
- 4-5 hrs
- Low Point
- 2.3 km
- High Point
- 3.3 km
- Gradient
- 40˚
Park at the S curves 4.2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the S side of the road. From here follow the creek to the E then follow the summer trail into Mill B S drainage. This heads up for several miles through aspen groves until you hit the lakes. From the lakes branch to the E/left and continue staying to the left most branch until it terminates in the uppermost cirque. From here you'll see the deep gash that's formed by the Heart of Darkness. Head to the left putting in the skin track to the ridge and then traverse to the top of the chute.
Difficulty
Moderate
Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.
Low Exposure (E1)
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
In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.
Best time to visit
Features
- Walk Required
Equipment required
- Skins
Similar routes nearby
3.4 km away
Argenta - W Couloir
A big fun run off of Kessler Peak with some great chute and trees skiing involved.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Ascent
- 18 m
- Descent
- 1.1 km
3.6 km away
God's Lawnmower
This is the huge avalanche path that's visible from the road on the N slope of Kessler Peak.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 2 km
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 946 m
5 km away
Virginia Slims
Virginia Slims is the fun dogleg chute next to the more popular Old Growth chute in the lower reaches of Cardiff Fork.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 871 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 472 m
5.2 km away
Old Growth / Benson & Hedges
Old Growth chute is a mini classic that provides great rock wall lined ambience and easy access.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 580 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 364 m
5.3 km away
Major Tom
Major Tom is a steep and sporty couloir in a remote corner of the Wasatch that can have a few rappels to navigate!
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3 km
- Ascent
- 3 m
- Descent
- 1.1 km
6.7 km away
Y Couloir
Probably the longest, most consistent rock-lined chute in the Wasatch if you're into that sort of thing.
Severe Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.7 km
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Descent
- 993 m
6.8 km away
Scotty's Bowl
Scotty's is a classic north facing roadside attraction in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Ascent
- 23 m
- Descent
- 754 m
6.9 km away
Memorial #1
Memorial #1 is a very long and clean chute that runs off the ridge of the S summit of Mount Olympus.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 856 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 514 m
7.1 km away
Tolcat Canyon
Tolcat Canyon is the large and prominent chute that splits the N and S summits of Mount Olympus.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 4.3 km
- Ascent
- 147 m
- Descent
- 1.3 km
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Guidebooks in this area
18 routes · Resort Ski Touring · Ski Touring