Peak 12752 (aka Porcupine Peak; aka No Name), Loveland Pass

This peak is the high point of the south end of the Loveland Ski Area and is easily reached from Loveland Pass. I have skied its southwest face many times, twice solo, as it is a nice easy access from the pass. Twice I crossed the whole basin to ascend via the far ridge in this photo. But in fact it is much easier to turn right into the saddle and ascend the near ridge. The picture below was taken on my approach (solo ski) on June 10, 2017. I used ski crampons on part of the ascent, but carried for the last section of the ridge. The face had perfect corn for the descent.

The northeast side is much steeper. It lies just outside the boundary of the Loveland Ski Area. Finally, on May 12, 2019, Randy Garrison and I started from the closed ski area with the goal of skiing one of the steep northeast chutes. We ascended by Porcupine Saddle, though probably an ascent on the opposite side of the peak would have been simpler. The chutes we wanted all had rocky entrances, and wind-hammered snow, so we went a bit southeast to a gully that starts about 75 feet below the true summit. This had exquisite snow. A superb day. The descent started from the high point in the center of the photo below.

The next image shows the entire face, from our approach to Porcupine Saddle. Our route started at the left end of the summit ridge.

 
Here is a view of Porcupine with the ski line prominent at the left of the ridge. The background goes from Democrat to Jacque Peak.

On June 12, 2019, I returned with Elke Dratch and we climbed to the top via the left side. Ski crampons useful. This time we skied down a line farther west. Looking down:

 
The upper section here is 37°.

Looking back. The line is right of center, and the third ski line from the right.

On May 21, 2021, Matt and I skied the steepest line on the SE face, called Cabbage Patch. My tracks here are lookers left. Conditions were excellent and while there is some dust, it was not a problem.

And five later than the preceding, Elke Dratch and I skied the same face, moving one ski run to skier’s right to find smoother snow.