We are still getting lots of questions about hiking out of The Beavers. This is a paradigm shift for some and will take adjusting to some peoples' mindsets. For this season and for hiking out of The Steep Gullies in future seasons, hiking out of this zone is going to be much easier than it has been in the past. If you stay in-bounds, all routes eventually lead to either the Grand Portage or The Steep Gullies Hike Back Trail. The Grand Portage meets The Steep Gullies Hike Back Trail at Rendezvous Point. From Rendezvous Point, there is a relatively easy 30 minute uphill hike to the bottom of Pali Lift. For strong, fit skiers and riders, this hike will only be 15 minutes.
This new hike will be visually more appealing than hiking up to the road and hitch hiking. It will be physically much easier (no climbing up that steep, loose fill bank). It will be logistically much easier (no hitch hiking and walking across the parking lots). It will save time and make the experience of getting back to Pali much more enjoyable.
The ski area boundary around The Beavers will be closed with the exception of a "Backcountry Access Point (BAP)" along the Western boundary above timberline. If you choose to exit the ski area boundary through the BAP, you are on your own and may want to hike up to the highway. If you stay in-bounds, you cannot cross the closed boundary. If you stay in-bounds there is no hiking up to the highway.
I know some people are adamant about continuing to hike up to the highway. I encourage you to check out this new route. You will discover how much nicer, easier and cleaner of a way it is to ski this terrain and return to Pali Lift.
From the Summit webcam this morning
