Throoping in October
The one and only Al Preston talked me into leaving my sofa for Throop Peak today, and unlike last week's Pinos foray, there's real skiing to be had in the San Gabriels.
First, please, be aware this rare combination of October snow + low sun angles means absolutely treacherous snow is lurking all over the place.
Your timing has got to be perfect, and even so, you'll need to make very good routefinding choices to ski safely right now. If you don't have expert-level familiarity with SoCal mountains and snowpack, just say no.
I was not expecting to see so much snow. I think there's easily a consolidated 2' snowpack on Throop's north aspect. I don't think it's going to melt out before winter, which means at least theoretically our ski season has begun.
And...I feel myself veering back into warning territory: if you go bring crampons. Bring your A-game and expect technical, consequential skiing even if you're being careful. Use sunny aspects to your advantage. On firm, treed slopes at Throopy angles you are continuously exposed!
I ascended the north ridge from Dawson Saddle, wanting the safest possible ascent route. After surveying things on the way up, I felt comfortable descending the main/west gully, but let me tell you, delight kind of alternated with terror for me even so.
It is tricky out there—and most of us are not exactly dialed in for high-risk skiing in mid-October.
I did stay on skis all the way down. At the road, I found a little safe steepish patch of snow in the sun, so I played around with steep turns for a bit. Then I threw my skis on my shoulder and hiked along the highway singing Oasis songs until I got to my car.
I like this SoCal October skiing thing! We should do this more often! Also: if you go out there in micro-spikes, you will die.
— October 20, 2025
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
Ray October 20, 2025 at 8:38 pm
Throop was a favorite of Mitch and Big Tim from Telemarktips. were you able to drive to Dawson? I thought the road was closed again?
Dan Conger October 21, 2025 at 7:09 am
Some people bagged turns in the Mammoth backcountry, too.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQCKrTmkXRA/