Gold Run N.C. - Breckenridge

All 14 people on board the bus at Malley Recreation Center in Englewood today were either into XCountry or snowshoe...no downhillers.  Unusual? Maybe.  It reminded me of the last visit to Gold Run...also with Malley...in January 2012, when 13 made the trip and only one downhiller in the group.  Maybe it's saying something about the popularity of the facilities at Breckenridge and condition of the trails at Gold Run Nordic Center.

It was nice to end the day in this warm and cozy spot.

A Day in Wild Basin - RMNP

Temperatures in and around Denver hovered in the 60's as we boarded the bus outside Washington Park Recreation Center.  Every seat was filled as 12 snowshoers plus 2 DP&R staffers (Skler and Amber) made the trip.

A stop for java in Lyons, rejuvinated everyone before making the final approach to Wild Basin off CR 7, at Allenspark.  Conditions in the parking lot provided us a taste of what to expect the rest of the day as strong winds whipped fresh snow across the lot while we cinched into shoes and day packs.

RMNP - Wild Basin Trail System.

Snowshoe at Caribou Ranch

A cold Tuesday in January for some might be a day to relax in ones favorite easy chair with a good book.  Not the case for a group of adventurous outdoor enthusiasts from the Denver Metro area.

Time to cinch into shoes and packs for the day.

I was fortunate to have landed a seat on the bus provided by Denver Parks and Rec. for a day of snowshoeing. 

Arriving early at the City Park Rec. Center on MLK Jr. Blvd., I checked the inside of the center while waiting for the bus.

With shoes and poles in hand, I stepped on the bus to be greeted by a good friend and fellow-day hiker, Luisa, from the High Country Hikers, based in Aurora.

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.

2013: An exceptional year.

It began with the carryover of activities from last year, including Spanish classes for JoAnn, and snowshoe day trips with Malley Rec. Center, plus weekly yoga classes at Scheitler Rec. Center for me.

January, my birth month, would be celebrated more for my ability to fight off the progression of Parkinsons one more year.  The coming year will add more challenges for sure.