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Dragontail Couloir

SKI LINE
Very Difficult
 4.9 (31) SKI LINE
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Rocky Mountain National Park
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“A rocky mountain mega-classic ”

Eric Internicola
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0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

Ski Line

11,784' 3,592 m

High

10,151' 3,094 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

1,633' 498 m

Down

58%

Avg Slope (30°)

106%

Max Slope (47°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

Cornice at the top of the couloir. There's rock fall potential, and this is definitely avalanche terrain. I recommend a springtime descent.

Description

Fantastic springtime skiing. It's very common to skin up Flattop or to climb the couloir from Emerald Lake. From the top, there are two entrances—the classic entrance is to the looker's left, and the Incisor entrance is to the right. The Incisor is probably skied more commonly since it's not as steep or narrow as the classic line, however it does involve an exposed traverse over a cliff band where it connects to Dragon Tail.

After the two entrances merge, the couloir gets much wider and far less steep. From there out, it's a consistent, mid-30s slope the rest of the way making it an absolute blast to ski. After you get out of the couloir, there's an apron to ski down to get to Emerald Lake. This apron can be enough fun on its own that people lap it on clear days.

D Scale rating: II D13 R3

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Eric Internicola with improvements by Hogan Warlock
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 31 votes

#1

in Rocky Mountain National Park

#1

Overall
  4.9 from 31 votes
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in Rocky Mountain Nationa…

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in Colorado

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Photos

Approaching the crux of Dragontail, Emerald Lake is far below.
Mar 2, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Getting closer to the bottom of Smoke and Dragons; here's one of the spots where you really need to stay left.
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Sam, skiing the first snowfield in Smoke and Dragons
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Making headway down Dragontail towards Emerald Lake
Jan 9, 2020 near Grand Lake, CO
DT Couloir on March 23, 2022 @ 2300. Taken from Emerald Lake
Mar 26, 2022 near Grand Lake, CO
Marking the location of Smoke and Dragons relative to Dead Elk and Dragon Tail
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO

2 Comments

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Jun 11, 2022
Jake Albright
May 14, 2022
Donald James
That was dope only 3.5 to 4 hr round trip
May 12, 2022
Chris Johnson
Did climber's left variation (chute with high walls). Made it to the little rock step and decided to transition because of time. 4.7mi — 4h 38m
May 2, 2022
Dan Trampe
May 8, 2021
Chris Stellato
Snow coverage appears to be good, fully in. I viewed the line from the top (main entrance) but did not ski it on this day.
Apr 18, 2021
Dave Manago
Linked Dragon's tail up with East couloir. Entered DT from looker's right, & it was a little spicy (steep traverse). snow band might melt in 1 week. 7.2mi — 4h 45m
Apr 18, 2021
Kyle Mahanes
Apr 10, 2021
Matt D
2021- not completely filled in, if entering from top- mandatory downclimb not for the faint of heart.

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