A Day in Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW)

Today began with the usual highway - you can never go fast enough for some people - stresses.  Once I was in Boulder Canyon, the fast-paced world faded quickly.  A small java from the Nederland coffee shop kept me awake until I reached the TH.  Mountain fog is the only element mother nature threw at me today.  It would dissipate before my snowshoes were cinched down.

As I left my vehicle the sound of snow crunching under my shoes, and the swirling wind sweeping through the trees ahead suddenly captured my attention. The spur trail is well trodden all the way to the junction with South St. Vrain.  Pine trees in the area are doing a good job of holding huge amounts of powder.  It reminds me (as an eight-year-old) of the miniature plastic trees I positioned every Christmas, with my Lionel Train.  Each tree had a glob of white on each branch.

St. Vrain trail 1.7 mi. from trailhead.

My plan is to continue on St. Vrain to the junction with the Waldrop trail and follow it back to my vehicle.  I don't see a single person all morning.  Problem is there is no wildlife moving in this environment either. Lots of tracks, some made today, others days or weeks old.


At the 1.5 mile mark, trail becomes less used.  A thin layer of fresh snow has covered the deep gashes in snow made by dozens of snowshoes.  In fact, the new white coat enhances the freshest animal tracks which appear to be that of a snowshoe hare, squirrel, or chipmunk.

I encounter a few moderate ups and an equal number of descents before reaching the junction with Waldrop trail.  My watch indicates lunchtime.  In less than five minutes, I have a rolling boil of water, to which Ramen noodles and powdered chicken broth are added.  Although temps are in the mid-twenties, heat resonating from a hot pot of soup is the best answer for cold fingers.

Day trip kitchen (L-R): Stove w/wind screen; behind the pack is the snow bench (table).

My timing is good today.  All the people (3) seen today, will approach and leave this trail junction while I am having lunch.  I can hear two guys talking to each other minutes before I see them.  I gather from their conversation, the pair of Xcountry skiers are frequent users of trails in IPW

As I am breaking down the kitchen, a solo shoer approaches on the Waldrop trail.  He stops to ask which trail from here is the South St. Vrain?  My map is unclear.  We agree on trail leading to the left side.  We bid each other to " Have a good day."

XCountry skier is last person seen today.

I can slow the pace on the return, and enjoy the beauty of nature in winter.  There is an option to take a spur trail direct to the road leading to my vehicle but, I elect to remain on Waldrop to the end.  
IPW has beauty beyond measure.  I trust it has sustained some of its original landscape from the period when the Arapaho tribe lived and hunted in the area.

Total miles/kilomewters = 5.6/9.0