Mags
03-16-2009, 02:14
The backcountry ski season is winding down. Between my own personal trips coming up and the warmer weather melting the snow pack, I am starting to think trail runners rather than my wax kit.
However, all signs pointed to a good ski this weekend: A little bit of snow in the high country fell, the weather looked good...and I just wanted to ski damn it! :sun
If there was a theme this year it was "Places I have not been to before".
Rather than my usual haunts of the past few years, I wanted to explore places that I have not skied (and in many places, not too often by others).
Old jeep roads. Obscure single tracks. Places off my Boulder-area radar.
With the help of a great suggestion by my friend Andy (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=6620), I picked up an out-of-print classic (http://www.amazon.com/Skiing-Colorados-Backcountry-Northern-Mountains/dp/1555910440) that is geared for touring rather than snowshoeing or big bowl skiing like more recent backcountry winter books.
Because of this book, I have been to places I would never have thought. Places not only different from where I've skied before, but also places full of much beauty, delight and fun.
One of those places was the Peaks Trail ski tour. (http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/Colorado/Summit/Hiking/PeaksTrail.htm)
At about 10 miles +/- (websites, signs and books all differ in mileage amounts!), and 1000' total loss, this rolling trail with a great descent makes for a wonderful ski spring. Once past the zoo that is Breckenridge area, the trail can be isolated for a stretch and the free transportation to and from the trailheads makes the tour logistically easy. And of course the views of the Continental Divide were superb on this bright, sunny and wonderful day.
Our group started the day by parking our vehicles at the trailhead in Frisco. We then took the free bus to the nearby town of Breckenridge. From the bus stop, we took the gondola to Peak 7 at the resort. This brand new area (c. 2007) could make looking for the Peaks Trail a bit hard to look for. Luckily, we had people who had MTBiked this trail before and knew where to look.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19856&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Terry and Markus on the Gondola
We walked through the busy zoo that is an alpine ski area. With our Nordic backcountry gear, packs and generally beat up equipment and clothing (OK..maybe that is just me? ;)), we were in contrast to the other people there.
Once we started following the blue markers, we quickly left the zoo behind.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19860&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The trail had gentle ups and downs with nothing overly technical. Just great terrain to glide along and take in the scenery.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19868&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The Continental Divide - The 14ers of Grays and Torreys in view
The terrain continued in a similar manner for the day. About half way, though, we encountered a clear cut that seems to have been made for firebreak purposes. With pine-bark beetle kill continuing to plague the Colorado high country, this scene may become more common I'm afraid.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19876&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
A clear cut with much pine bark beetle damage nearby
The area was a mess. It looked to be a fresh cut. The trail was lost. The maps were pulled out and some 'schwacking was done up a ridge and down the drainage back to the trail. A mini-adventure that really didn't phase the experienced crew.
After some more skiing, we connected a bit to the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail. For a few of us, many good memories were reminded of from the time spent on previous journeys.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19881&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Ram is a tree-hugger!
A junction was reached and desert was had... An all downhill descent back to the cars!
After an exciting run, an awesome, open meadow was reached. Being in the warm sun with the mountains above..does it get any better????
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19885&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Sadly, even the best of trips end.
We reached the end of the trail, hooked onto the snowcovered bike path and double-poled back to the cars.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19891&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The Mandatory Group Photo (MGP)
Shoes were changed, cotton was put on and beer was called for in Frisco. ;) Sitting in the warm sun, sipping a beer and kibbitzing with my friends..well, I really had no complaints with the world.
One of the best tours I've ever had. So much fun. So much wonderful scenery. And an excellent group of fun, chill and experienced people to share it all with.
And next weekend? One last hut trip...and then two weeks of playing in Utah and Arizona!
(http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19847&g2_page=1)ALL THE PHOTOS (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19847&g2_page=1)
However, all signs pointed to a good ski this weekend: A little bit of snow in the high country fell, the weather looked good...and I just wanted to ski damn it! :sun
If there was a theme this year it was "Places I have not been to before".
Rather than my usual haunts of the past few years, I wanted to explore places that I have not skied (and in many places, not too often by others).
Old jeep roads. Obscure single tracks. Places off my Boulder-area radar.
With the help of a great suggestion by my friend Andy (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=6620), I picked up an out-of-print classic (http://www.amazon.com/Skiing-Colorados-Backcountry-Northern-Mountains/dp/1555910440) that is geared for touring rather than snowshoeing or big bowl skiing like more recent backcountry winter books.
Because of this book, I have been to places I would never have thought. Places not only different from where I've skied before, but also places full of much beauty, delight and fun.
One of those places was the Peaks Trail ski tour. (http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/Colorado/Summit/Hiking/PeaksTrail.htm)
At about 10 miles +/- (websites, signs and books all differ in mileage amounts!), and 1000' total loss, this rolling trail with a great descent makes for a wonderful ski spring. Once past the zoo that is Breckenridge area, the trail can be isolated for a stretch and the free transportation to and from the trailheads makes the tour logistically easy. And of course the views of the Continental Divide were superb on this bright, sunny and wonderful day.
Our group started the day by parking our vehicles at the trailhead in Frisco. We then took the free bus to the nearby town of Breckenridge. From the bus stop, we took the gondola to Peak 7 at the resort. This brand new area (c. 2007) could make looking for the Peaks Trail a bit hard to look for. Luckily, we had people who had MTBiked this trail before and knew where to look.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19856&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Terry and Markus on the Gondola
We walked through the busy zoo that is an alpine ski area. With our Nordic backcountry gear, packs and generally beat up equipment and clothing (OK..maybe that is just me? ;)), we were in contrast to the other people there.
Once we started following the blue markers, we quickly left the zoo behind.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19860&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The trail had gentle ups and downs with nothing overly technical. Just great terrain to glide along and take in the scenery.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19868&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The Continental Divide - The 14ers of Grays and Torreys in view
The terrain continued in a similar manner for the day. About half way, though, we encountered a clear cut that seems to have been made for firebreak purposes. With pine-bark beetle kill continuing to plague the Colorado high country, this scene may become more common I'm afraid.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19876&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
A clear cut with much pine bark beetle damage nearby
The area was a mess. It looked to be a fresh cut. The trail was lost. The maps were pulled out and some 'schwacking was done up a ridge and down the drainage back to the trail. A mini-adventure that really didn't phase the experienced crew.
After some more skiing, we connected a bit to the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail. For a few of us, many good memories were reminded of from the time spent on previous journeys.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19881&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Ram is a tree-hugger!
A junction was reached and desert was had... An all downhill descent back to the cars!
After an exciting run, an awesome, open meadow was reached. Being in the warm sun with the mountains above..does it get any better????
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19885&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
Sadly, even the best of trips end.
We reached the end of the trail, hooked onto the snowcovered bike path and double-poled back to the cars.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=19891&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=2b9de2d8688970a1a19e79f3d5a904c1
The Mandatory Group Photo (MGP)
Shoes were changed, cotton was put on and beer was called for in Frisco. ;) Sitting in the warm sun, sipping a beer and kibbitzing with my friends..well, I really had no complaints with the world.
One of the best tours I've ever had. So much fun. So much wonderful scenery. And an excellent group of fun, chill and experienced people to share it all with.
And next weekend? One last hut trip...and then two weeks of playing in Utah and Arizona!
(http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19847&g2_page=1)ALL THE PHOTOS (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19847&g2_page=1)