The Full Telluride Palmyra Peak Experience (Insane 2.5 Hr Hike + Descent)

The full in-bounds hike up Palmyra Peak in Telluride, Colorado. This grueling 1,335-foot hike takes over 2 hours to complete-and ends with a high-consequence descent down some of Colorado's most extreme terrain.
Intro 0:00
Lower Hike on Groomed Path (5-10% Up) 0:43
Warning from Employee (20% Up) 1:38
Dihedral Face (30% Up) 2:44
Black Iron Bowl (35% Up) 3:08
Extreme Elevation Gain Begins (50% Up) 3:53
Capitol Entrance (60% Up) 4:44
Rock Scramble (67% Up) 5:41
Upper Terrain Becomes Visible (75% Up) 6:48
Final Stretches (80-95% Up) 7:30
Palmyra Peak 9:22
Descent 10:12
Final Thoughts 19:24
See our full Telluride mountain review here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
BUY OUR MERCH: www.peakrankings.com/store
Follow us on other channels!
Instagram: / peakrankings
Twitter: / peak_rankings
Facebook: / peakrankings

[@Jason-vi8ny]

'Doesn't seem to be a lot of rock-💥.......nvm' lol

[@rngcarriedironman]

Lol

[@SkiVR]

I'm most impressed by the ski patrol and the sled at the top

[@zaviwaher9536]

Looks awesome! Big thing to remember if you are coming from lower elevation, do not try to do this on day 1. Spend couple days just riding lift or doing shorter hikes to acclimatize. You can get serious altitude sickness going up to 4000m from the sear level. Crushing headache, nausea etc. feels like you are getting a stroke. Not fun.

[@arjunski]

So jealous, that looks just unbelievable. I think this hike's a bit out of what I'd be willing to do on a normal ski day but I'd love to do at least the Gold Hill Chutes at some point!

[@SoldAnemone-bv5kb]

gold hill chutes are awesome for sure chute 10 is almost never open so if you ever see it open do it for sure

[@pinnacleskier0552]

Looks breathtaking, in more ways than one.

[@derekmarkovic]

I absolutely love this video. Thank you for the beautiful footage.

[@timothymiller7898]

Your definition of untouched snow vs mine are so vastly different…😅

[@heartbraden]

Untouched means no tracks at all lmao

[@kboyle1127]

That was the most skied out untouched snow I’ve ever see

[@backbonz]

Dude is oxygen deprived give him a break. Hallucinating is real.

[@Mr._Keeps]

Epic video!! The commentary really made it seem like I was right there with you.

[@McQzv]

0:30 arduous is the word you were looking for. Awesome vid! Hope to get there

[@ericd8739]

Awesome job and a great video. I need to go back to Telluride and do the Palmyra Peak climb and descent, as well as spend more time at the Gold Hill Chutes. Telluride doesn't always have the best conditions, but it is easily the most aesthetic of any resort I've been to, including Revelstoke. Keep up the great work, I always look forward to your videos.

[@bgw9906]

great run! I had that same April dump at Snowbird- whata spring!

[@A-Shitty-Snowboarder]

dude, so sick!!!

[@A-Shitty-Snowboarder]

Your narration and excitement all the way down was FANTASTIC!!!!

[@gabesolomon4887]

I've only done Palmyra once and I actually poked my head up over the top to say I did it, then went back to the marker where it's a smooth path into the face. But that's me I was just there for the powder not trying to squeeze through 50 mandatory jump turns. Big props to those who go over the very top, you've got much tougher knees than I do.

[@larryk1865]

I'm with you. Why climb an extra 1,000 feet for jump turns over barely concealed rocks? I thought the point of the climb was to get to GOOD snow. You got the best. Good call.

[@mtadams2009]

@@larryk1865 This was a very bad snow year. In a good year I am sure it’s much better.

[@josiahsimmons9866]

That terrain must be dreamy this year. Already we've gotten so much snow!!

[@MOWFWDU]

Thanks!

[@toddthepanamericanbrooks888]

Great job! Similar to some of the hikes I've done in the French Alps at Les Arcs!

[@eriknodland8352]

Lol. I’ve done that hike and I was rolling on the floor with your progress estimates! Glad you did this, the telluride experience isn’t complete without it!

[@bruschi8148]

Epic!!

[@daneg]

vertigo just watching you go up. props and a half man.

[@Sl0thOfficial]

This is amazing man, Colorado the most beautiful place in North America!

[@neiljones8010]

Another excellent video that really captures the challenge of the hike before you do the actual run, thank you! How steep is Palmyra at the to. 40degrees+?

[@PeakRankings]

Probably a bit more than that!

[@kevinl8440]

"Ankle deep in April! This is insane!"... Anyone from Utah: "Meh"

[@lumac3251]

Great job with the hike. Many props to ya and thanks for taking us along for the ride. However, it is obvious that you are not from Colorado when you make comments about how untouched the snow you rode was and how light and fluffy the snow was. You had some freshies for sure but most of the run looked moderately cut up and tracked out. Also, if the temps are in the forties and/or it is April, that ain't the light fluffy stuff, lol. Still super jealous though. Great work! Those views... OMG!

[@jdp11284]

Was thinking the same exact thing. 😂

[@stebolavirus]

If you go to Beaver Creek - be sure to bring your own food and eat it outside of Beano's Cabin. They love that shit!!

[@natefrawg9544]

Done this so many times, senior's and roy boy are fun as hell.

[@troxlocogaming1102]

Whats the big difference with senior's and roy boy?

[@natefrawg9544]

@@troxlocogaming1102 nothing really just what side of some rocks your on

[@troxlocogaming1102]

is roy boy much harder or easier to ski than senior's?@@natefrawg9544

[@TommyPMTB]

Man, I come from mountain biking and I thought the sad, hurt people in the Pinkbike comments were bad. Cool guy skiers put the “have I told you lately how amazing I am?” bikers to shame! Great video. Solid, in control, safe skiing, and 100% positive vibes. Keep up the good work and don’t let the non-contributing zeros get to you.

[@cherlgolja5402]

Amazing , I’m living vicariously through you ⛷🎿❄️

[@maverick114e9]

The scariest part is that traverse right as you start on Seniors at 10:37 Im not the best with tight paths on skis, so this looks scary for me, thats kind of embarrassing for me to admit but that just shows how crazy skiing on Palmyra peak can really be

[@peteravolio2695]

Untouched 😉

[@wyomingadventures]

A backpack sunscreen and water. You can get dehydrated fast at that elevation. That time of year, the snow will get compressed even if nobody has been on it. Even with some fresh snow. Nice job! My nephew has skied there. I've only been out of bounds in Wyoming and Montana. Teton pass has some crazy hike and ski places. Beautiful area!

[@JB-rt4mx]

Try West Wall at A-Basin!! Good Too !!

[@TheLandscapeGiant]

Sick

[@joeg5414]

I live near Pagosa Springs. Not far from here... couple hours. 1 hour from Durango. Normally go up to wolf creek though, it's only like 30 min away. I need to get back into snowboarding. It's all I did in college. Then i had to get a job and slowly lost interest

[@Enaresbclimber]

black iron bowl is super fun! Too much hiking to the summit!

[@mtadams2009]

I am just wondering if you have ever used Boost, it’s oxygen in a can. I used it last year and I am not sure if it helped or not. Looked like a great hike and ski. Thanks for sharing

[@MidwestPowSeeker]

I used a small can while hiking the Highland bowl in Aspen and I do think it made a huge difference. Just grabbed it from my bag every 5-10mins when I started feeling short of breath and I truly believe it helped me get to the top more comfortably

[@CadenArmes]

What camera do you use? The shots look amazing

[@thomasrossi6358]

I sincerely hope you hiked for the exercise and not the snow conditions because come on dude I can hear it in the snow. That sounds like Kant-Mak-M on an overskied 4-inch powder day. I guarantee if you came back 3 weeks after the ski area closed you would be slushing down that thing lol loving life.

[@sanguisbibimus]

Just look at it!

[@dominofive5075]

Holy smokes! Do people snowboard from up there too?

[@dash15yearsago67]

16:48 perfect timing 😂

[@dogwapofthebarnowlbakery3655]

Cool video, but the phase, "Shut up and Ski" never applied more.

[@opinion56]

the people without a backcountry backpack carrying skis and poles on their shoulder are psycho

[@actualstarfish3449]

Part of the reason why that ski patroller is up at the top, for better or worse. That level of service doesn't exist in Europe or Japan.

[@humblegenius5553]

Hell of a hike for something so tracked out, can taste the blood in my lungs just watching lol.

[@ambertudor]

Great video, telluride needs to put up a poma lift at least a little way up the path, and then it could claim the greatest terrain on the continent (it probably does anyway) and then put up a chair (as u r going down) on the right mtn rib and open some incredible expert runs, wow!!

[@danjf1]

Living in New England is a major joy. Low-altitude skiing, large metros close by with all the amenities. And also, lovely camping spots and nature in general. There are also great fishing opportunities as well. But 13,000 foot+ skiing opportunities? No. I'm glad I got to do a fair amount of Rockies, Cascades, Tahoe, and other western mountain skiing when I was younger. Honestly, I don't know if my 40-year-old lungs could take the thinner air of places like Telluride or Crested Butte, or Breckenridge which I was privileged to have skied for four entire seasons. If you have the opportunity to ski In CO and UT specifically I definitely recommend going - if you can afford today's overpriced, well, everything. Have fun! --- yeah you sound like a pretty young guy and getting to the top of Palmyra peak is a nasty hike unless you are prepared; H20 hydrated (no alcohol!) and fit enough for a long steep trek if not, ski patrol is not gonna have fun bringing you down... Thanks for showing us the beauty of the Rockies!

[@GwenGreenberg]

Amazing video! Some didn't like the snow. Some didn't like the turns. Actually 99.999% of us would have a better chance of walking on the moon than doing this hike and run. Thank you!

[@axskifree]

Link some turns together brehh😄

[@sunshinecycling]

I've never hiked to ski. Are you walking for 2 hours in your ski boots?

[@PeakRankings]

Yep.

[@modymangames9804]

Do you just do these hikes in your normal ski boots or do you have some sort of special boots?

[@PeakRankings]

Normal boots, but touring boots might have been nice in this situation!

[@midgetmoney1]

You hiked all that way to hit the most clapped out turns? Sorry but you should come hit some of the crazy shit in the PNW and BC mountains. Not as sunny but siiiiiick terrain. And way more snow.

[@slck9404]

May I ask when this was filmed?

[@PeakRankings]

April 1, 2022

[@ajlsrv5490]

Cool adventure, but looks like you needed another foot or two of snow.

[@nou99094]

I cant believe there was no wind up there. Is it usually windy or no?

[@PeakRankings]

It can get windy quite a lot. But if it does, there’s a good chance they’ll close off the hike.

[@calebgonzalez5711]

11:15 ofc your stoked but just ski the damn run🤣

[@misterx2131]

I hate you to show us this 😄 But your video is great, as usual

[@Bognerman14]

Nice run. I would have dropped in at about 95% where it was more untouched. Too many people dropped in from the peak and chopped it up.

[@JustinUrban1]

Unfortunately I feel like I’m beyond my prime to try snowboarding down that amazing run. I could probably make it halfway up lol.

[@jeffprostar1909]

Can you link any turns together?

[@richrobinson202]

Double rainbow!

[@davidbrice8238]

Heavenly 🙏

[@kylecarscaden3953]

is it steeper than main chute baldy at alta?

[@charlesmcintyre2977]

yes 14 degrees steeper

[@HappyBuddhaBoyd]

You should really try Alta and Canyons in Utah. You will have knee deep powder for at least 6 months of the year.

[@tandybare]

you hiked 2.5 hours for a 47 degree slope not even 800 feet of drop at 13K feet? Fun.

[@runuphill]

So... how many folks plan ahead and choose to hike up in lightweight shoes w/ crampons attached? Doing this climb in ski boots seems insane -- carry them in a backpack on the way up.

[@counterfit5]

AT boots would be the gear to have. Doesn't seem like crampons would be of much use here anyway.

[@eriknodland8352]

Yeah, no point to crampons here, when it’s open, boot pack is well established. Even though you get the weight off your feet, you still have to carry the boots and have now added to your overall weight…

[@ihavenoiqq]

what are your gopro settings?

[@PeakRankings]

2.7k 60 fps with a GoPro Hero 7 Black

[@ihavenoiqq]

@@PeakRankings thanks!

[@jaredsauber6430]

You have to go to Zermatt. We just got back... it's incredible... even better than this.

[@ticklefritz5406]

Just look out there! There are hundreds of peaks you can climb and ski for free, and after all that effort you still didn't even summit the peak. If I'm paying $162 bucks for a lift ticket I'm riding that lift from the second it opens to the second it closes

[@TestingTesting-tl7pz]

Can I come next time? My partner and I will pay for you to guide us!

[@billyobrien2828]

That hike should have made for a better run than sliding down saying what a great insane run and hitting rocks😂

[@paulroggeveen8211]

Hilarious when he's talking about untouched snow at the top where it's fully tracked out and he hits the rocks

[@snoblitz]

Hahaha exactly! Trying to make himself feel better about all the effort he put in for the sh*t conditions.

[@kylewhitney1681]

Review Taos!

[@troxlocogaming1102]

taos is a great mountain

[@RT-tn4ry]

Sounded real crusty under there , not worth the hike up !

[@Kirbey]

that’s how all skiing videos end up sounding lmao

[@trevorwinnie4280]

Dude skis like it’s his first day skiing

[@snoblitz]

Hahaha right? I thought so too.

[@MidwestPowSeeker]

no, he doesn't. He's skiing like a guy who just used 99% of his energy on a tedious 2 hour hike, and now has jello legs, still making it down a 43 degree+ slope.

[@adamrichter984]

How does this compare to the Aspen Highland Bowl hike

[@PeakRankings]

Much, much harder.

[@neumichel]

Aspen Highland Bowl hike has great reward in regard to time spent hiking. The hike itself is only like 45 min.

[@adamrichter984]

@@neumichelYes very rewarding. I just did the hike about two weeks ago, and it took about an hour because the snowcat was not running. Was just wondering how it compared to this palmyra peak hike and was wondering if I could do.

[@neumichel]

@@adamrichter984 from everything ive seen about it...its a different animal. the hike is a bit of a beast. the descent (and i only know about the one this guy did) is going to be tight-ish couloir skiing on grippy (hopefully) hardpack. you'll get powder only down on the apron. whereas on highland its powder from the get go. still...its an achievement and a memory to have.

[@adamrichter984]

@@neumichel ok, well thanks!

[@vvdd903]

come bro. gotta do better on the initial drop in to the small chute. jk. u doing good

[@ChengHorn9]

I was getting winded just watching this.

[@nefariousjohnson8851]

Next year

[@theoriginalLP]

In Europe we climb 400 meters elevation in 2,5 hours every Sunday to get beer and beans at the hut.😁

[@timothyhaines556]

This is 4000 meters in height. Not 1500 meters, like most of Europe.

[@theoriginalLP]

So what? You mean it's more difficult because elevation?

[@timothyhaines556]

@theoriginalLP . Lack of oxygen has a huge impact on performance.

[@theoriginalLP]

@@timothyhaines556 Elevation sickness starts at 3500 for sensitive people. It's not really a problem with oxygen at 4k.

[@jeffreydecker3189]

Sorry but there’s no way I’m paying to do that 😂😂😂

[@ihave3subs770]

if this guy likes powder, then he should visit loveland ski area

[@djlueck]

Untouched? It’s pretty scraped out. Cool that you hiked up but this is not realistically portrayed for KZbinrs who don’t ski Colorado. It’s April. In a sunny chute with little cover. Folks, just think before you try to follow and ski with friends.

[@nathanielwaldor2089]

i wish you would just shred the pow instead of stopping every turn to say how good it is

[@snoblitz]

Maybe it’s perspective, but to me the creator probably doesn’t possess the skills to be on that level of terrain. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MidwestPowSeeker]

seemed to make it up the hike, and down the slope just fine lol... is everyone supposed to be red bull sponsored to be on terrain like that, or maybe just vigilant and cautious since they aren't very familiar with that particular mountain?

[@jordangarrison7402]

Love the video… but more skiing and less talking please 😂🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ronnyron6939]

16:50

[@liamweston2933]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@skiwithgenerationsnow]

In the Alps they would just build a lift up it

[@actualstarfish3449]

The highest ski lifts in the Alps don't go that high

[@CrazyKarl-]

Looks like Utah 😂

[@christianwestling2019]

Beautiful video! But you guys don't have step skin for skis in America? Much better than carrying your skis. Also, walking for 2,5 hours in that weather wearing full gear? You're supposed to have a backpack/airbag were you can take off layers of clothing. Walking and getting sweaty for it to later become cold is dangerous.

[@brunobembi5276]

Pastorurri

[@patrickjordan3769]

What a great video! Is PeakRankings the best ski channel?? Like this is you agree!

[@pumpkinflipper5751]

Don’t blaspheme against Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ Amen ❤️🙏🙏❤️✝️✝️

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

Watching your shadow, this was out of your league. All I saw was basic side slipping

[@davidbanks6896]

Takes one turn then stops each time.

[@benblazek3305]

And pushes half the snow down the top of the run. I don't consider this skiing at all, side slipping yes

[@bigsmoke1223]

This man hiked 2.5 hours just to side slide

[@holymeto9981]

@@bigsmoke1223Ski it, you'll change your mind

[@theread3480]

Almost like he just expended 99% of his energy on a 2 hour hike right before

[@lindseystevewedding]

Dude, ski faster

[@edwardstrong9117]

Beautiful not me

[@JBrownNYY]

Def worse than climbing to top of Peak 6

[@jamesphoenix1850]

The commentary is so exaggerated, definitely not worth the hike, has this guy just lived on pistes and therefore isn't used to these conditions? Just go off piste and this is what you'll find. The only reason to go up there is for the view.

[@edmccaffrey1]

Stay home and watch you tube! The less people the better.

[@timothymiller7898]

You might consider talking less and focusing on your skiing techniques 😅

[@benblazek3305]

Watched the whole video and didn't see much skiing. I saw a lot of side slipping, not carved turns. That terrain was not intended for your skill level

[@PeakRankings]

There was a person right in the middle of the trail for about half the descent (which was very unsafe in and of itself). It would have been dangerous to take it any faster.

[@benblazek3305]

@PeakRankings not as unsafe as dropping into the line with someone in the middle of it. You can't be willing to disregard safety, then claim it's why you pushed all that snow down the face and didn't make any carved turns

[@eastonwest234]

​@@PeakRankingsYou should have told that guy to move. It was dangerous for him to stand there but it was also dangerous to drop in on him.

[@PeakRankings]

@@eastonwest234 in retrospect, yes. Unfortunately did not see him until after dropping in and rounding the first corner.

[@actualstarfish3449]

​@@PeakRankings Don't let the keyboard warriors get to you. You did something out of your comfort zone that you hadn't done before and were enjoying the emotional highs on the way down. Armchair experts in youtube comments will find endless reasons to nitpick and act condescending behind the comfort of their screens.

[@CountryClubSkier]

Learn how to ski first.