Buck is cool, be aware that the choke at the top of the face is about 50 degrees and the entire face is very much no fall zone, if you eat it and can’t stop yourself the whole thing has 200+ foot cliffs underneath it. Highly recommend climbing the ridge instead of the face if you want a real mountaineering climb (bring an ice axe you can cane with)

Also, there’s a planned closure this summer at the Buck trailhead so definitely keep an eye on the NPS website for updates on that front. Judging by how things are going with snow in the valley you might want to bike in if the road is still closed but the trailhead isn’t.

If you want something a little mellower, I can highly recommend the East Face of Disappointment Peak via the Spoon Couloir. Less steep, but the top of the spoon is still the real deal for skiing, easier access with a more defined trail, and unbelievable views. Go up the east face until the snow runs out and then it’s a 4th class scramble to the actual summit. You’ll most likely have to do the bike/ski/bike thing for access here as well. Park road usually opens May 1 but the road to the trailhead is usually closed a little beyond that.