![Summit of Culebra](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_Summit-of-Culebra-14047.jpg)
Summit of Culebra – 14,047′
Culebra Peak
Peak #8 : February 12, 2016
Elevation: 14,047’
Ski Route: West Ridge/ NW Face and Bowl.
Roundtrip Mileage and Vertical: 16mi/6000′ from park headquarters and different than the summer 4WD approach!
Ski Partners: Solo Summit
- Start Time: 5:30 AM
- Reached Summit: Noon (spent a half hour on the Summit)
- End Time: 2:45 PM
It was an early morning as Ron Z and one of his other ranch hands (shoot I forgot his name, such a nice guy!) came and let me into the Cielo Vista Ranch property in darkness. Once we filled out the adequate paperwork, I started 530am from the Headquarters. Broke Trail after the Snowmobile track after 4 miles or so.
The winter track took a southerly path before I was able to head back towards the north to rejoin the summer 4WD road at 4-WAY after several miles.
![Gorgeous morning colors on the way up.](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7802_Gorgeous-morning-colors-on-the-way-up.jpg)
Gorgeous morning colors on the way up.
![Skinning through Aspens at sunrise.](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7823_Sunrise-in-the-way-up-to-Culebra.jpg)
Skinning through Aspens at sunrise.
The morning light was awesome and I was greeted by a bright sunrise in the Aspens as I ascended in a completely calm winter’s morning to 4-Way.
![4-WAY](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7844_A-buried-sign-on-the-way-up-Culebra-at-four-way.jpg)
4-WAY
Once at 4-Way, I knew that the summer 4WD road would take me to timberline and towards the peak to the summer trailhead.
![Fallic Cairn.](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7876_The-signature-fallic-cairn-on-the-ridge-to-the-summit.jpg)
Fallic Cairn.
I then broke trail all the way to the large cairn on the ridge. By ascending the southern flanks of the western bowl above the timber.
![Awesome views to the north and down into the NW bowl.](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7867_Getting-above-the-trees-on-Culebra-at-12500..jpg)
Awesome views to the north and down into the NW bowl.
It was such a gorgous day in the southern Sangre de cristos, and other mountains came into view. As I neared the summit ridge Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest peak was visible to the south, and the Blanca Massif and the Crestones were clear to the north. I could even see Pikes peak way far to the north!
![Peak #8: Culebra Peak, 14,047' - February 12, 2016](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra-Peak3_2016.jpg)
Peak #8: Culebra Peak, 14,047′ – February 12, 2016
I was able to Summit by Noon, and this was my 4th summit of Culebra in my long Mountaineering career (1999, 2005, 2011, 2016). I got ready to ski and proceeded to skied down a thin south facing slope on the ridge where I met up with two guys (Rob and his friend), and It was rob’s last 14er.
![The thin ribbon on the south side of the ridge gave me just enough snow to ski!](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7931_Just-enough-snow-to-ski-the-ribbon-off-th-summit.jpg)
The thin ribbon on the south side of the ridge gave me just enough snow to ski!
I congratulated him an then I skied back down and was at the headquarters by 245pm. The west face/ NW Face powder was good!
![Creamy turns back to timberline in the NW face of the bowl.](http://skiing14ers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Culebra_IMG_7938_Creamy-turns-down-the-west-Bol-of-Culebra.jpg)
Creamy turns back to timberline in the NW face of the bowl.
I also got to see some huge elk in the trees about 2 miles above the park headquarters, what a treat and fine day on Colorado’s southernmost 14er, where it honestly felt like Spring was coming soon!
Thanks for reading-
Dr. Jon