Summary 
| Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
| Length | 2.8 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6450 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+400, -400 feet |
| Navigation | Marked trail and road |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | Late December through early April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Loon Lake |
| Start | Loon Lake Chalet at Loon Lake. From Highway 50 turn north onto Ice House Road. Drive 24 miles to the intersection where you must turn right to stay on Ice House Road. Turn right and continue for 5.3 miles until you reach the Loon Lake Chalet. |
Description
This pleasant tour on a road is ideal for skiers seeking a short, easy tour. Enjoy lunch on the flank of Chipmunk Bluff while taking in the view to the east of Tells Peak and the Crystal Range; Tells Peak is the pyramid-shaped peak.
Chipmunk Bluff from above Berts Lake
Tells Peak and the Crystal Range
Be aware that the last 75 vertical feet to the summit of Chipmunk Bluff are not skiable and are dangerous to climb due to the precipitous angle and the presence of cornices along the summit.
You can combine a tour to Chipmunk Bluff with a tour to Berts Lake as described in the Berts Lake and Chipmunk Loop tour.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
There are two trailheads adjacent to Loon Lake Chalet. To locate the one to Chipmunk Bluff, stand in front of the Chalet facing the front door and extend your right arm out to your side; it will be pointing directly at the Chipmunk Bluff trailhead.
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.5
Elevation change:+100, -50 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski southwest and then southeast on a snow-covered road for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach a power line (2).
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.5 - 1.3
Elevation change: +150, -50 feet
Continue to ski south on the snow-covered road for 0.8 mile until you reach an obvious location from which you can leave the road and angle up toward the base of Chipmunk Bluff (3).
Road to Chipmunk Bluff after new snowfall
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 1.3 - 1.4
Elevation change: +50 feet
Leave the snow-covered road and angle up towards Chipmunk Bluff for 0.1 mile until you reach the ridge to the northeast of the peak (4).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.4 - 2.8
Elevation change: +100, -300 feet
Retrace the route for 1.4 miles back to the trailhead (1). As an alternative, start your return trip by skiing northeast along the ridge before getting back on the road.
