Devil's Thumb Ranch - A Gem

A good turnout (11) for a great day at the ranch.  Many superlatives including; best of the best, and excellent accommodations, can be used to describe this great get-away outside Winter Park, CO. 

Today, we experienced many of the services provided at the ranch.  There is a cozy eatery, an outstanding restaurant I personally want to return to, and a well stocked ski shop and rental service.  A quick browse found they have everything you may need for a day of Xcountry, downhill, or snowshoe.

Ed is anxious to get across the open meadow and into the trees.

We added a few more clothes for the day outside.  The sun was bright, and the snow sparkled like millions of diamonds had been cast across our snowshoe path.  Others enjoyed following groomed Xcountry trails.  Mike, our driver, may have been the smart one, settling into a comfy chair in a quiet corner of the eatery.

After a climb while breaking tail, Ed stops to take in the view.

Ed and I took the Redtail Trail across a meadow, then went off trail, until we used a part of the Double Pole trail to gain elevation.  That put us at a spot where we could sit and rest while a hot meal of  Chili Mac with Beef was rehydrating.

Nothing better than a backdrop of snow covered peaks.

We remained off trail most of the afternoon, as we traversed a hillside, and crossed a number of open fields. 

The most fun all day was traversing a ridge.  Snow depth here increased to 12+".

The scenery all afternoon was outstanding.  Back on the Redtail Trail for a short while before we approached the juncture with the Moose Stomp Trail.

Ones shadow is many times bigger than life and never far behind.  Scarey!!

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, while viewing most of the 5,000 acres of the Devil's Thumb Ranch.  We had an excellent view looking East of  Devil's Thumb Pass (11,747), leading to Indian Peaks Wilderness.

One of many odd looking configurations of snow and ice.

Looking South is Berthoud Pass (11,315) which the group would maneuver twice today.  Beyond the pass stretches the 12,996 acre Vasquez Peak Wilderness.  The area is thickly blanketed with Engleman Spruce and Lodgepole Pine.

The sun was our biggest ally today.  It provided a number of abnormal images.

We were having so much fun all day, the 5.8 miles we covered was a pure joy.

The great part of the day is going out...then there is the coming back part.