Father Dyer Peak

Route: Combo Helen/Father Dyer/Crystal
Posted On: 6/1/2018, By: JasonKline
Info: Only one extremely brief snow crossing going up Helen. Route from Helen to Father Dyer to Crystal to Peak 10 was easily done on dry rock. Came through lots of snow descending from Peak 10 to back to the Aqueduct Road. It was more like a normal June 30 than May 31. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 11/11/2017, By: Wildernessjane
Info: Did both Father Dyer and Crystal from Spruce Creek. Some snowpack and ice on the road hiking in. Minimal postholing on the approach. The ridge is still pretty clear of snow. Did not use any traction. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/8/2017, By: eskermo
Info: For continuous, skiable snow, take the Aqueduct and Spruce Creek Roads. I ascended Crystal Lakes Road and had to walk a few dry sections in between skinning. I was able to keep the skins on from a short distance before the Aqueduct Road/Crystal Lakes Rd intersection until switching over to booting around 12,200'. One could have skinned most of the route to the ridge but booting was easier for me on the firm and sometimes slick surface. There was a pretty superficial freeze under the clear skies Friday night that made the skinning less than enjoyable, but it did yield snow firm enough for kicking shallow, supportive steps. I never postholed, and my boots rarely sunk more than 2 - 3" into the softening snow. The last couple hundred vertical to the summit was not skiable. However, it was pretty straightforward rock hopping with a little snow and ice in the mix. I dropped in just after 10:00 and enjoyed soft, fast turns down to lower Crystal Lake. Perhaps 9 or 9:30 would have been perfect timing, as the cruising and poling on the flatter sections below the lake were getting a little grabby. I was able to snowboard from a couple hundred vertical below the summit all the way back to the trailhead, although there were a few sections that required some serious poling. There was plenty of recent wet slide activity evident on S facing slopes below Father Dyer's East Ridge, but not much on other aspects. I didn't see anyone else on Father Dyer all day, but the surrounding peaks were getting worked! There was a party of 13 skinning up Crystal's East face, a half dozen skinning Peak 10, ants over on Quandary, and I spoke with a party of 3 back at the car that skied Helen. 

Route: Combo Helen/Father Dyer/Crystal
Posted On: 10/9/2016, By: JosephG
Info: Ridge from Helen looks snowy, but a lot melted off over the course of the day. What snow there was on this ridge was 99% no bother. 

Route: Dyer Straits
Posted On: 5/5/2014, By: SurfNTurf
Info: The snow up the Crystal Creek drainage was amazingly firm. We ditched our snowshoes a short distance up the road and never regretted it, even in the early afternoon. Wind events Saturday and early Sunday moved a lot of snow onto the Dyer Straits. We hugged climber‘s left and connected rock islands, as the open slopes of the main route were windloaded. There was recent debris from a small avalanche in the middle of the Straits. All that said, a few warm days should firm everything back up. The snow underneath the 4-8 inches of wind-moved powder was solid and consolidated. The wind began gusting to 50+ miles per hour on the ridgeline and we bailed after reaching the top of the Straits. Photo 1: Looking back at the Crystal Creek drainage from the turnoff Photo 2: Dyer Straits Photo 3: Retreating from the spindrift 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 6/28/2013, By: jlarocco
Info: Meant to do Crystal and Father Dyer from the Spruce Creek trailhead. Changed plans at Crystal lake due to the trail crossing some snow fields on the way up to the Peak 10/Crystal Peak saddle, and the remains of a cornice on the ridge below the saddle (see photo 1). I saw a couple of groups cross the snow fields without a problem, but I was alone and wasn't feeling up to it. I changed plans and headed to the East Ridge of Father Dyer instead. Made it to ~13200 before turning around due to clouds moving in and not being 100% sure of the route along the ridge. What I get for starting at noon and changing plans. Route was snow free up to that point, and looked clear the rest of the way (see photo 2). Overall a nice day, and I'll be back in a few weeks to get the combo when the snow's gone. 

Route: Combo Helen/Father Dyer
Posted On: 6/14/2012, By: rockymountaindiva
Info: Ascended Helen, then traversed to Father Dyer, then down Crystal Lake trail. Trail clear of snow almost entire way except for a few insignificant spots on Crystal Lake trail. 

Route: Dyer Straits
Posted On: 5/6/2012, By: jeremy27
Info: My friend and I climbed Dyer Straits on perfect snow yesterday. Start early as this route gets sun very early. As we were exiting the snow was just getting a bit too soft on top. Also climbed the west ridge to Helen and back to the truck. Really fun loop. The descent off of Helen is ridiculous. Something like 2000 ft over one mile for us. We probably stayed too far south hoping to end up back at the truck. Descend/ascend more to the north for (I‘m assuming) easier hiking. Good luck.