{"id":1802437,"date":"2026-03-02T18:49:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1802437"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:49:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:49:41","slug":"gros-ventre-range-wy-exploring-the-big-belly-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1802437","title":{"rendered":"Gros Ventre Range, WY: Exploring the Big Belly Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Russell is making way across Sunset Peak. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Conditions Report from February 21-23, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

After being out of commission for four weeks with an MCL tear, I was itching for an adventure.<\/strong> My good buddy Truman was coming up to visit, and we wanted to make the most of our time. Originally, we planned to ski something big, like the Ford-Stettner Couloir in the Tetons. However, the range had just been hammered with new snow and was experiencing days with 40 mph winds\u2014major red flags for avalanche danger. Instead, we came up with a backup plan: a ski tour in the Gros Ventre Mountains, just east of the town of Jackson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Truman posing for a photo with Cache Peak in the background. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We packed our 80 liter bags and headed for the Cache Creek trailhead.<\/strong> When we arrived, we were relieved to find a groomed skin track that ran the length of the main trail. We followed the gradual incline for about four and a half miles before breaking off and setting what were likely some of the first skin tracks in that area in weeks. We headed up the Noker Mine Draw and gained the ridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Russell ascending the ridge. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At this point, I could really feel the weight of our heavy packs as we continued the uphill.<\/strong> The effort was worth it, though\u2014the views were incredible, a full panorama of spectacular peaks, all holding enticing ski lines in the distance. After roughly 4 more miles, we found a good spot and began setting up camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Panorama views from the ridge. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The next morning, we pulled our smaller daypacks from our big bags and set out for the nearby summits of Dollarhide Peak and Sunset Peak.<\/strong> We were treated to perfect bluebird conditions both days, with clear skies and cold temperatures that helped preserve the snow. We enjoyed some fantastic runs off both Dollarhide and Sunset, carving smooth turns through preserved powder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back on my turns. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time we were making our way back to camp, however, the sun had taken its toll.<\/strong> South-facing slopes were heavily sun-affected, and the untouched powder from the morning had turned into hardpack and crust. We made the most of the descent off the southeast ridge of Sunset Peak and then began the slog back to camp. Really, it was mostly Truman who slogged\u2014his skins malfunctioned, and he had to bootpack much of the way back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Truman is making his way down the icy slopes. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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That evening, we refueled with warm freeze-dried meals and snacks and settled in for another night\u2019s rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Campsite during the night. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On our final day, we packed up camp, making sure to follow Leave No Trace principles, and started our eight-mile descent back down the valley.<\/strong> The snow was still sun-baked and icy, which made skiing with 40-pound packs a bit of a challenge as we maneuvered through the variable terrain. Even so, it was a rewarding end to a much-needed adventure with a good friend and a successful return to the mountains after injury<\/span><\/p>\n

Russell is preparing to exit the drainage. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bonus Shots\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Camp site nestled in the mountains. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Truman is standing by some sweet snow patterns. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sunset on the way back up to camp. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Truman zigzags up. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bottom view of our run off Sunset Peak. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Truman is sitting on the summit of Sunset Peak. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our line from Dollarhide peak. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Russell is emitting the energy from the campsite. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Russell snacking. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Russell is getting higher on the trail. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Our line in the background. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our line visable off Dollarhide Peak. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Truman with both the Snake River Range and the Tetons in view. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Truman is digging our home for the weekend. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Peaks coming into view. Photo: Russell Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Russell is eager to paint the canvas. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Setting up with the Tetons as a backdrop. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Russell admiring the beauty of the Gros Venture. Photo: Truman Boot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weather<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Screenshot from MeteoBlue.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u00a0 Russell is making way across Sunset Peak. Photo: Truman Boot Conditions Report from February 21-23, 2026 After being out of commission for four weeks with an MCL tear, I was itching for an adventure. My good buddy Truman was coming up to visit, and we wanted to make the most of our time. Originally, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1802437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1802437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802437\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1802437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1802437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1802437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}