Carlton Lake Base Camp (Bitterroots) May 22nd-25th

Carlton Lake Base Camp – Lolo Peak

Dates: May 22–25, 2025
Leaders: Francis Horton, Sean Colvin
Participants: Mark Albrecht, Sam Watson, Carson Remsden, Bre Hutchins (and Zelda the dog)

Trip Stats:

• Trail to camp: ~4 miles, ~2,400 feet gain
• Total elevation gain: Hard to say… next year we’ll bring trackers
• Snowpack decline: ~300 vertical feet lost in four days

Memorial Day weekend offered up a rare blend of consistent sunshine and still-skiable snow, so we did what any good Mountaineers would do: we went camping on the snow. The plan? A four-day base camp at Carlton Lake, with skiing objectives on Lolo Peak and whatever other lines the melting snowpack would allow.

Day 1 – Thursday: Setting Up Camp & Sampling the “Holy Shoulder”

Sam and Carson got an early jump on the trail Thursday morning, heading up from the Carlton Lake trailhead. I (Francis) caught them around 7,000 feet where we made the first of many transitions—this one from hiking boots to skis. We reached the lake and set up camp on the south side, just across the dam.

With energy still in the tank and fresh snow still clinging to high aspects, we skinned up the south-facing shoulder of Lolo Peak—quickly dubbed “The Holy Shoulder.” A few good laps, a hearty dinner, and some whisky passed around sealed the deal on a solid first day.

Day 2 – Friday: North Face Laps & New Arrivals

We kicked off Friday with a lap on the Holy Shoulder to warm up, then shifted our sights to the more shaded north side. After a visit to the north (but not true) summit of Lolo Peak, we spent the morning carving big, confident turns into a north face that surprised us with its quality. Even this late in the season, the snow held remarkably well.

After a late lunch and nap back at camp, Sam and Carson headed out for more turns while I ventured out to scout snow on Carlton Ridge and search for signs of the second wave—Sean and Mark—expected to arrive at sunset. Though the plan was to greet them with a cheer and a hot drink, the sun and skiing had cooked us. Luckily, they found camp just fine in the dark.

Day 3 – Saturday: The Main Bowl, Morning Bowl & Camp Shenanigans

We rose early for what we hoped would be a major ski objective: the southeast-facing bowl between the north and south summits, nicknamed “The Main Bowl.” We climbed the east ridge under frozen early-morning conditions, our ski crampons biting into icy snow. But just below the ridge, we were faced with an exposed traverse and rock-hard snow. We waited, hoping for solar softening, but eventually decided to save it for next time. (Note for next year: try the north ridge instead.)

Sam and Carson returned to the reliable Holy Shoulder, while I peeled off to ski a bowl facing the lake—promptly dubbed “The Morning Bowl.” Back at camp, Bre and Zelda arrived, and we welcomed them with laps on the Bunny Hill (a.k.a. mellow terrain near camp). Later, we held an impromptu award ceremony with prizes of questionable value but great significance.

That evening, Bre, Sam, and Carson made their way out, while Mark, Sean, and I stayed up watching the mountains slough and shimmer in the late spring melt.

Day 4 – Sunday: Melting Out

Overnight temps didn’t quite freeze solid, and the snowpack reflected it. Mark and I got one final lap on the Holy Shoulder before we packed up camp and headed out. In just four days, the snow line had climbed to 7,300 feet—about 300 feet of melt, a stark reminder of the season’s end.

This trip checked every box: bluebird skies, good friends, soft corn, hard snow, soft beds (okay, maybe just inflatable ones), and even some late-season powder stashes. Lolo Peak has officially earned a permanent spot in my heart—and near the top of my favorite mountains list.

Here’s to next year: better tracking, more laps, and hopefully just as much sunshine.

– Francis Horton