Reverse Traverse

The informally named Reverse Traverse provides access to the numerous runs that originate on the ridge separating Currie and Lizard Bowls. These include the Currie Chutes, Big Dipper, Corner Pocket, High Saddle, Saddle, Lone Fir, Easter Bowl and the front three of Decline, Sky Dive and Stag Leap.

The traverse starts on the left of Currie Powder, just beyond where it widens out from being the cat track across the top of Currie bowl. It goes through a short tree section before crossing a wide area that is the avalanche area run out for the chutes descending from Polar Peak. Needless to say closures are not uncommon.

As it progresses down the ridge the trail will typically braid into a number of higher and lower branches. The higher ones are typically bonier than the lower ones and there is little reason to keep particularly high unless you are headed for Corner Pocket. There is a bit of a dip at the notch marking the entrance to High Saddle and the last bit approaching Saddle can be rocky just as you go around the corner. Unless I am heading to Saddle or Lone Fir, I usually drop down before this point as the main traverse continues quite a bit farther down beyond a large rock outcropping separating Tom's Run from upper Cornice Chute.

Be cautious on the part between Barracuda and Currie Creek, for the trail here is quite tricky, crossing steep unfriendly terrain and invariably ending in a big hole, sometimes prefaces with a bit of a rock jump.

Beyond Currie Creek the traverse continues through the trees before emerging on an ugly mogul run that goes a short way down the ridge before splitting into Decline and Sky Dive. The right side of Easter Bowl drops off the ridge to the left or you can climb up a bit to get to the very top of it.

2007-02-21

The entrance to the traverse, in this case closed due to avalanche hazard.

2007-02-12

Looking back at the nasty bit between Barracuda and Currie Creek. You approach from the other side on a narrow downhill trail to which you must commit before you can see what awaits. To add interest the nature of it seems to change daily.

2003-03-06

The approach side.

Last modified on 2007-11-19
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