Chair Peak Circumnavigation

The Chair Peak circumnavigation links three passes in an 11-mile loop through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, skiing beneath the imposing north face of Chair Peak and traversing frozen lakes, couloirs, and alpine basins. Total elevation gain runs to 3,800 feet with a high point of 5,420 feet, all starting and ending at the Alpental parking lot. No car shuttle needed.

The route begins with the standard approach to Source Lake, a busy corridor shared with day-trippers heading to Snow Lake. From Source Lake the tour ascends toward Snow Lake Divide or Bryant Couloir, depending on the chosen direction of travel. Bryant Couloir is the signature descent: wide enough for comfortable turns and roughly equivalent to an advanced black diamond run at a resort. The couloir sits in genuine avalanche terrain and should not be attempted on elevated danger days.

Multiple routing options exist. The circumnavigation can cross north of Chair Peak, drop through Pineapple Pass into Great Scott Basin, or take Snow Lake Divide for a more moderate alternative. Frozen lake crossings connect the basins. Skating across Snow Lake and Chair Peak Lake on firm morning surfaces saves significant time and energy.

Chair Peak's north face looms directly overhead through much of the tour, and the basins beneath it hold some of the deepest and most persistent snow in the central Cascades. Navigation through multiple basins and passes requires solid route-finding ability and good visibility. Once committed to the loop, no easy bailout options exist.