After dropping one downhiller at Copper Mountain Resort, we returned to the nordic center outside Frisco. Few vehicles in the parking lot indicated it would be a quiet day on trail.
At the front desk, we were given a break on trail fees because we are members of a group. After scanning the trail map and level of difficulty, I decide to take the 1.5 KM (.9 mi.) Green Mallard trail along Lake Dillon.
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| Frisco Nordic Center |
Trail is well packed as it wanders through sparsely populated pines, to a junction with Frisco Bay XCountry Trail. There, I follow the Bay Trail another .9 KM (.5 mi.) to a picnic area. Tables and BBQ grills are partially hidden by a few inches of snow.
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| Buffalo Mountain (12,777'), in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, as seen from Green Mallard trail. |
Moving off trail, I choose a table close by and brush snow from the end of a bench. Voices can be heard at one o'clock. As I look up, my eyes catch a figure fifty yards away. The man is on break while standing on the Frisco Bay Trail.
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| Mike is looking good on his newly acquired Xcountry skis. |
It's Mike, our driver, who acquired his gear from former driver, Bob Land, now retired. Mike moves on up trail, while I recinch my pack. Since leaving trail, powder has been a bit deeper than at the TH.
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| Tubing runs adjacent to the Day Lodge. |
I decide to continue to break trail along Lake Dillon. After another .25 mi. (.4 KM), I spot a picnic table on a ridge overlooking the lake. I trust it will be a spot worthy of good views.
On approach to the ridge, there is one more junction with the Frisco Bay Trail. Continuing up to the ridge, the sun is directly overhead. Good timing. I will have a hot lunch atop the ridge before looping back to the nordic center.
There is no wind, so a wind screen is not needed. Less than two minutes later, water is boiling, for a hot cup of green tea. While the tea bag steeps, another 8 oz. of water is prepped for soup. As the water begins to boil, a package of Ramen noodles and chicken flavoring is added.
As the noodles are rehydrating, I prepare a tuna salad sandwich. The 3 oz. 'ready-to-eat packet provides enough salad for a thick sandwich.
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| Snow-making machine stands idle for now. |
Lunch over, I am on trail descending the ridge back to the junction with Frisco Bay Trail. Arriving at the junction, some Xcountry skiers are talking much louder than they realize...noise carries far in open terrain.
Ahead, a fellow snowshoer from the group is also enroute back to the nordic center. Trail etiquette says, snowshoers must not walk in the slots made for Xcountry skiers. Likewise, snowshoers must respect all groomed trails and walk beside the groomed area.
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| Racked Xcountry skis await the next trek. |
As I round a bend in trail, I notice the flagpole outside the nordic center, peeking out between some pines. A wood-burning stove, comfy lounge chairs, and good conversation is not far away.
Arriving at the nordic center, a horse-drawn sleigh passes me on the final leg of its backcountry tour.
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| Inside the cozy nordic center. |
Most members of the group have returned to the nordic center as well. The next 2+ hours are spent in conversation about past experiences.
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| Horse-drawn sleigh awaits the next patron. |
NOTE: The 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is considered the top recreation forest in the U.S. It is also home to the 2012 U. S. Capitol Christmas tree, Colorado's gift to the nation.
Within the forest, there are 12 ski resorts, 10 peaks over 14,000', and over 2,500 miles of trails. These are some of the reasons why I enjoy returning again and again
Total Miles = 1.9 (3.1 KM)
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