Monday, January 14, 2013

# 6 St. Mary's Glacier

This outing is not for beginners or even a novice snowshoer.  When you have experienced a few moderate to challenging winter hikes, this is one to put on your "To Do" list.

Getting There:  Take I70 west to Fall River Road/St. Mary's/Alice exit then follow the signs north about 8 mi. to the St. Mary's Glacier parking lot.  Be sure to being small bills for the pass machine.

Trail:  From the TH its a .5 mi. hike to St. Mary's Lake.  Elevation gain is only 200' in this span. In another .5 mi. you will be at the foot of the glacier.  For the inexperienced, this is your turn around point.

For those who are prepared to continue it's another 1.5 mi. and 1.000' gain to 11,600' and a saddle.  There you can view James Peak if it's a clear day.

Level of Difficulty:  Option 1 = Moderate to base of glacier
                             Option 2 = Challenging to James Peak

Skill Level:  Option 1 = Novice to glacier base, Intermediate to top of glacier
                   Option 2 = Expert to the peak

Elevation:  Option 1 = 600'
                 Option 2 = 2,700'

Map:  TI #103 Winter Park, Central City, Rollins Pass

Contact:  Clear Creek Ranger District, Arapaho Nationa  Forest (303) 567-2901 

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