Dutton Cliffs Bypass
The Dutton Cliffs on the East Rim are extremely prone to avalanches. The Dutton Cliffs Bypass allows skiers to bypass Dutton Cliffs. This bypass can be accessed by turning South onto the Pinnacle Road fro m east Rim Drive close to the bottom of Dutton Cliffs. Skiers follow Pinnacle Road east for approximately 1 mile before seeing a sign in a tree on the right side of the road that points the way for the bypass route. This route takes skiers back up to Rim Drive above. The bypass climbs an extremely steep grade for approximately 3/4 of a mile and gains 800 feet before reaching East Rim Drive. This bypass is only recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers. All skiers that use this bypass are advised to use climbing skins. The Grayback Road is a more suitable route around Dutton Cliffs avalanche zone. The Grayback route only adds a mile and half to the total trip.
Grayback Road Grayback Bypass Rout.pdf Map
The Grayback Road can be used as a bypass route
around Dutton Cliffs. The Ski Patrol advises using this unplowed road when
skiing the rim because Dutton Cliffs are extremely prone to avalanching .
Turn onto Pinnacle Road near Kerr Notch right before the start of the bottom of
Dutton Cliffs (if you start on the West Rim) and follow Pinnacle Road for
3 miles before turning west on the east end of Grayback Road. Follow the
bright red-orange metal tree tags for 4.5 miles until reaching Falls
picnic area. It is approximately 200 yards south of East Rim Drive, and
250 yards from Falls. Note: the red- orange tree tags (route
makers) can be covered when the snow depth reaches 12 feet.
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In high avalanche conditions, skiers are advised to use,
in combination with Grayback Bypass, the Vidae Ridge Bypass.
The Vidae Ridge Bypass is located at the west end of Grayback
Road. The Vidae Ridge Bypass Trailhead is located in the
Falls picnic loop. See Vidae Ridge Bypass for instructions.
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If skiers start on the East Rim, the west end of Grayback Road starts 50 yards past Falls. Skiers turn right onto the Bypass. In high avalanche conditions, skiers are advised to use the Vidae Ridge Bypass to connect to the west end of Grayback Road. The Vidae Ridge Bypass starts at the old Crater Peak Trailhead, which is on the East Rim Drive, 1/2 mile west of Falls. See Vidae Ridge Bypass below for instructions. |
Vidae Ridge Bypass Sun Notch Vidae Ridge Area map
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The Vidae Ridge Bypass is recommended only to follow in high avalanche danger. if one skis the Vidae Vidae Ridge Bypass from Grayback road , skiers need to bring climbing skins to climb up to of jct. of East Rim and the old Crater Peak trailhead.
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The east end Ridge Trailhead and Bypass is located on the southwest corner of the Falls picnic loop. It is right across from the west end of Grayback Road near East Rim Drive by Falls. |
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The west end trailhead is located at the beginning of the old Crater Peak Trail. |
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The Vidae Ridge Bypass is marked with both blue and orange markers and is approximately 1.5-mile detour back to East Rim Drive. |
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If you are starting your ski from the West Rim Trailhead, use the Grayback Bypass first. Navigate Grayback Bypass until reaching Falls picnic loop junction. The loop is approximately 250 yards from East Rim Drive. The bypass trailhead begins on the south corner of the loop. Travel southwest from the trailhead along Sun Creek for 1/3 mile before turning west and crossing Sun Creek. Note: the creek is snowed over in winter. The trail takes several dog-legs in the meadow around the creek before heading southwest again along a heavily-forested hillside. Skiers need to pay attention in this area in order to follow the markers. Follow the hillside for another 1/3 of a mile uphill before the trail turns north and connects with the Crater Peak Trail. Then follow the Crater Peak Trail for 1/4 mile until reaching East Rim Drive |
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Note: if starting on the East Rim near Falls, reverse the above directions. The bypass then starts at old Crater Peak Trailhead and ends at Falls picnic loop. Applegate Bypass Sun Notch Vidae Ridge Area Map During high avalanche conditions on the East Rim, day skiers are advised to use the Vidae Ridge Bypass and the Applegate Avalanche Bypass routes to ski to Sun Notch. Follow the Vidae Ridge Bypass that starts at old Crater Peak Trailhead. The Applegate Bypass starts near the west end of Grayback Bypass by Falls picnic loop. Follow Grayback Road for less than 1/4 mile before turning right into Sun Meadows. Stay right until reaching East Rim Drive just past Sun Notch..
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