Centennial Cone Park

We arrived at Centennial Cone Park, north side trailhead parking lot, outside Golden, Colorado, just before 11 a.m.  The forecast called for a few inches of new snow today...a welcome addition should it materialize.

The lot is empty when we arrive.  Looking south and west across the landscape, a weather system is in fact moving in. 

North side TH trail marker.

With our packs cinched firmly in place we are on trail in minutes.  Light snow begins falling as we make our way down the slope on the Travois Trail. This path stretches 8.5 miles along the perimeter of this 3,369 acre park.

Moments later we encounter the first of a number of sections of drifted snow.  It is packed firmly into the recesses of trail.  Large chunks of compacted snow break away from our boots as we trudge through the drifts. While planting my poles, I spot the depth so it can be measured later.  Max depth of 12".



What appears next is a surprise for sure.  Can it be...a guy on a mountain bike.  Only in Colorado, right.
We acknowledge him as he passes by on his way to the TH.  We will see tire tracks the rest of the day through snow drift after snow drift.  I would later mention to Ed, to me that is a border line extreme outdoor activity.

A lone mountain biker passes us on trail.

Centennial Cone Park is bordered by private property on the north, and Clear Creek Canyon Park on the south.  The park offers visitors 16 miles of trails, all of them easy to moderate difficulty.

The Travois Trail follows along the east side of a ridge to a foot bridge over a dried up creek bed.  There it meanders along the border with Clear Creek Canyon Park to a junction (over 7 miles) with Mayhem Gulch Trail.  We won't be going that far today.

Snow continues to fall as the wind blows flakes horizontally across the landscape.  We both have yax trax in our packs in the event they are needed for traction.  Elevation gain in the park is moderate at any given point and there are no steep sections.  Although visibility has diminished since leaving the TH, it remains a beautiful winter day. 

Logging memorable images of a unique winter wonderland..

Now close to 1:00 p.m., I notice Ed looking off to his right into a stand of pines.  I am certain he is scouting for a spot that will provide protection from the elements and get us out of the wind.

Snow continues to fall as we make our way off trail and into the pines.   A number of blowdowns force us to make small detours.  As we approach the far side of the trees, we find a rock outcropping overlooking the wall of a short canyon below.

A survey of the immediate area proves a small ledge directly below appears to be secluded enough.  Rocks are covered in snow making each step a bit risky.  An area the size of a serving tray looks to be flat enough to serve as our kitchen.  It will be a perfect spot to set up a backpacking stove.  Three sides of this small rock ledge are tall enough to fully protect a kitchen setup from wind gusts. 

Ed finds a rock just above the ledge and behind a few pines to protect him.  We are both within arms reach of one another.  Snowfall has been reduced to flurries and the wind has all but died.

Minutes later the wind screen is up and water has started the process of coming to a rolling boil.  I offer Ed a cup of instant coffee.  He accepts.  Less than two minutes later, I hand him a steaming cup of java.

Backcountry kitchen perched on a rock ledge.

After replenishing the water, the burner on my Pocket Rocket stove is turned to high.  While the stove is working, I begin stuffing a whole wheat pita pocket full of ready-to-eat tuna salad.

A peak into the pot confirms the 8 ozs. of water is starting to bubble.  By the time a pouch of Ramen chicken noodle soup is opened, the water has reached a rolling boil.

With a full packet of noodles plus powdered chicken flavored broth added, the pot is covered for another minute so the noodles can fully rehydrate.

The first bite into the stuffed pita is a reminder of a similar winter outing with my backpack buddy, Kevin, in Pennsylvania, years ago.  We were on a long weekend trek in the northern Pennsylvania mountains...Potter County, November, 2002, as I recall.  It was in Worlds End State Park.  Destination, Sones Pond, along Loyalsock Creek and trail of the same name.  We made camp among the pines, in sight of the pond, in the snow.

Unlike today, more snow was already on the ground when we began that trip, with 4+" more expected overnight.  When we awoke next morning, the tent was sagging considerably under the weight of a mid-winter Pennsylvania snow storm.

Now, as I peer out across the Colorado landscape, the trees look much like the pine forests of PA.,over a decade ago.  Snow here is much drier, however.  Here snowflakes float to the ground as if each one has been bouyed up by some kind of infinite mass of balloons.

The smell of chicken broth is now thick in the air.  Using the blade tip of my pocket knife to lift the lid handle to my cook pot I peek inside.  The noodles are fully surrounded by hot steaming broth.  Flakes of parsley are floating on top of the steaming broth.  I turn off the flame, allowing the noodles to steep a minute in their juices making my hot lunch one to savor.

Typical set-up:  Aluminum 5 section hinged wind screen, 3 oz. pocket rocket stove mounted on a 4 oz. butane fuel canister sits on an aluminum stove base; 1 pt. titanium cook pot w/lid; ultralite utensils, ultralite pocket knife, and butane lighter on a table cloth. A red nylon stuff sack holds it all in one place in the pack.

A large bite of the jam packed tuna salad pita tastes yummy.  Ed seems to be enjoying his coffee.  At a glance, his lunch of nuts and celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter is spartanesqe.  Always the health conscious guy.

Ed enjoys a cup of steaming hot java.

My first spoonful of noodles and hot broth is totally soothing as it warms every inch of my core.  Unlike some winter outings, and despite the weather today, I am toasty from head to toe.  I actually have feeling in my fingers enabling me to set up the kitchen.

Lunch is followed with a Snickers bar for the return trek to the TH.  My attempt at a large bite reminded me that out here and riding in my pack for a few hours, a candy bar can be frozen harder then in the frig. at home.

Rock hard dessert.

It took some work to remove a hunk of the chocolate-covered nut and nuget bar.  I lodged the sweet mass between my cheek and gum while dismanteling the kitchen.

Ed stands atop a rock outcropping while the snow continues to fall.

Soon, we were back on trail heading for Ed's vehicle.