Snowshoeing at Snow Mountain Ranch

We have been looking forward to this first outing of 2014 for some time.  It meant early to rise (5:00 a.m.) in order to be at Mally Rec. Center, in Englewood, by 7:30.  There were about twenty men and women on the bus.

Outside Snow Mountain Nordic Center.

We were out of the city in good time, with new driver, Dan, behind the wheel.  A pit stop at the Conoco Plaza, at Downeyville, (THE place for people heading to the mountains who enjoy fresh, hot coffee...only a nickle, help yourself.  It's one of the few places still operating on the honor system.  Then on through the mountain town of Empire, over Berthoud Pass (11,307') and into Winter Park Resort.  Three would depart the bus at the resort spending the day on the slopes.  The rest remained on board until we reached Snow Mountain Ranch for a day on snowshoes. The Ranch is another 12 miles outside Winter Park.


This world-class facility located at 9000' elevation, hosts numerous outdoor winter activities, including: Xcountry, snowshoe, tubing, dogsled, and horse drawn sleigh rides.  It offers over 100 kilometers of trails on 5200 snow-covered acres of Rocky Mountain meadows. Families can rent cottages, hotel rooms or a yurt, depending on your need for certain comforts. 

Approaching a thick stand of Aspen.

There is a trail fee ($15/person), but we have our own gear which made it a good value day.  After cinching into our shoes and day packs, it was time to explore Snowshoe Hare trail, a 1.5 mile trek across the meadows to a junction with a loop trail named Totally Wired.

But first, we decided to climb up to Columbine Point, where one can enjoy a tremendous view of the Continental Divide from the west.  Standing at the Point, we clearly could see Devils Thumb (12,300'), Devils Thumb Pass (11,750'), Rollins Pass (11,670'), and Rogers Pass (11.860'), all in a row.  The horizon of this span of mountains makes a small part of the Continental Divide that stretches from Canada to Mexico.

At Columbine Point...with the Continental Divide in background.

The climb to the Point triggered the hungry bug in JoAnn.  The problem was she had to sit on top of a fence post for lunch. Yes, a fence post.  The snow here was 3 to 4' deep.  Rows of benches used by guests in summer for outdoor nature demos were almost covered with snow.  All that could be seen above snowline was the tops of the back of each bench and the top of the log fence surrounding the area.

JoAnn has lunch while sitting atop a fence post.  The fence and outdoor benches peek out from 3 to 4 ft. of snow.

Next we returned down slope to the junction with the loop.  Heading counter-clockwise we encountered the challenging part first, a long and steady 'UP.'  A number of mini breaks helped us climb the 400+ el. gain in good time.  In this area trail  snakes through stands of Aspen as it makes its way to a sharp turn, then another climb of over 150' el. to a spot where trail turns down slope back to the starting spot.  Total loop distance 1.6 mi.

We learned early in the day, if we tried planting a pole mere inches outside the immediate trailbed of packed snow, the tip of that pole would drop 3 to 4 ft. instantly.  The same would occur if a snowshoe found its mark off the snow-packed surface.  The sun remained bright in the near cloudless ski above all day.  The air was cold, but, no breeze to contend with, making the entire day one of great fun.

Snowshoe Hare Trail.

We make our way back to the Nordic Center again on Snowshoe Hare, passing a number of other energetic soles out for a day of excellent exercise.  As we step over a section of groomed Xcountry trail, families with young children pass by, out possibly for the first time on Xcountry skis.

Inside the Nordic Center on the second level, we each have a hot chocolate at the Skinny Ski Cafe, while I wolf down a late lunch.  Our fingers and toes are well thawed by the time 2:30 rolls around.  The time designated by Dan to meet the bus for the return trip.

Everyone must have been exhausted.  Not a sound was heard most of the way back to Englewood.  Traffic entering the Denver Metro area was not at its usual high density level.  We made good time arriving at the Rec. Center before sundown.


Total Miles = 6.0

                                                                                     Total Elevation Gain = 695'