Cirque Creek Bluffs

In winter access is frighteningly simple. Walk down the road to Bakehouse Creek and cross the river. The crossing can be unpleasant in the dark; stripped to the waist and watch for slippery boulders. Good luck. Once on the other side, travel is straightforward (if your legs aren’t too numb) on the true right. Travel times vary, depending on how much snow is around but allow more than what you’d think, two and a half hours to the lower cirque or at least four hours if heading into the upper cirque.
Descents
There are no easy descent routes making these climbs committing. Assess the avalanche hazard before choosing a descent. Think changes in altitude. Near the top it may be winter but as you get near the bottom wet point release avalanches may occur.
For the routes left of Cul de Sac, the most popular descent is the Crosscut Bluffs, the west facing slopes of Crosscut opposite Homer Hut. Finding the entry point into the Bluffs can be tricky. Complete a rising traverse of the snowfield to some pinnacles above Gertrude Valley. Descend the true left of the left gully, crossing to the true right of the right gully above the bluffs. Easy slopes lead to the valley floor. A longer but potentially safer way down is to traverse all the way to the South Ridge of Barrier Peak and descend to Gertrude Saddle.
Rapping the routes would take a while, possibly a last resort.
For the routes right of Cul de Sac, rapping is likely the best and safest descent option. Unless the avalanche hazard is low to bomber, don’t be tempted to abseil to the shoulder to traverse left into the upper terraces of Cirque Creek. The ground in here is death on a stick.