The Cog is the Sherb of the West Side, except it has a train track splitting it in half. While there are mixed opinions on whether or not the Cog Railway should exist, the swath cut to either side of it does offer some nice skiing, as well as an approach to the Great Gulf. Start by skinning up along either side of the tracks, you will pass a fire pit with some seating after the initial hill, then a water tank higher up. After the water tank, you will need to cross to the left side of the tracks, as the hikers right side pinches off. This next section is known as Jacob’s Ladder, an elevated section of tracks. This section is often wind scoured and difficult to skin. Ski crampons are helpful here, and if you don’t have them, you may want to consider bootpacking. It’s common for skiers to turn around above Jacob’s Ladder and ski from there, but on days with good weather, it’s possible to ski all the way from the summit. The terrain above Jacob’s Ladder is low angle, and generally blown down to the most recent ice layer. But skiing over this rime and glare ice alongside the tracks is oddly fun. The most intense skiing comes alongside Jacob’s Ladder, where one has to content with a double fall line, rocks, and narrow space for turns. After getting back below treeline, the swatch widens a bit and the angle is a bit more gentle. This makes for a great turns, and can often be a powder stash during storm days. Ski across the bridge back to Cog Parking. Note: It costs $10 per car to park at the Cog and if you forget to pay, they leave a huge sticker on your car window, that leaves behind paper and glue all over your window when you rip it off. It takes forever to get the glue off and a car wash won’t do it, or so they tell me.