South Colony lakes in winter

So far, I have had more weekend plans than weekends to do it all. Now that the mountains are snow-covered, I am struggling to make plans as to where to go. I am thinking of buying snowshoes and going to the mountains anyway (I will also do some desert trips of course). It's a little scary, but I thought that South Colony lakes may be a good first hike.

Has anyone done this trip in winter on snowshoes? I would like to do it, and would appreciate any advice. My questions are:
- when is the best time to go (which month)?
- how close to the trailhead can you get by car (4x4 truck)?
- is there avalanche danger?
- any other tips/suggestions/books/websites would be helpful.
- if someone is doing such a trip in southern/southwestern Colorado, I would love to join them.

Thanks for your time!

Hey Momo - sorry that I can't help with any info on Colony Lakes, but I'm sure you'll get some answers soon.

I wanted to suggest that before you shell out $$ for snowshoes, you can rent them at REI, EMS, and probably some other similar stores. There are many different styles and sizes, and being able to test out a few different types before purchasing may save you some time and money.

I know that a lot of people like the rigid styles like MSR, but I'm a big fan of the Atlas shoes with flexible webbing. Lots of styles and I'm glad that I tried several before buying.

I swear by Atlas snowshoes. If you want the buckle system, go with the 1225's (about $189). They work very well for stiff winter mountaineering boots. I also picked up a "retired" rental pair at REI for my wife. They were $55 and in great shape.

Thank you guys for the advice on snowshoes. I did not even know there were different kinds. I will do some online research and see what I find.

I haven't been there in winter, but the jeep road is pretty rough, so if its covered with snow, the closest you could get to the trailhead is about 5 miles. So it would be about 7 miles one way. I imagine there would be some avalanche danger, as you'd be walking alongside some pretty steep slopes after you get to the trailhead. I'd guess that late or early winter (Oct. or April) would be best, when the lakes aren't completely iced over and covered with snow and there's a chance that the road could be passable. That's about all the info I can provide.

I would also go with the Atlas snowshoes. My first pair lasted about ten years. Finally had to get a new pair last year. Sorry I am no help with the Colony Lakes area.

I own both Atlas and Redfeather snow shoes. I've found the decks to be similar between the two, but the webbing harness for the Redfeathers is easier for me to work in the snow and stays tighter than the Atlas. That said, my Atlas shoes are bigger than any offered by Redfeather and if I'm hiking off-trail or backpacking, the extra floatation is very useful. I think the Atlas are a 36" deck, while the Redfeathers are a 30" deck.

I've hiked Colony Lakes from the bottom in the summer but it has been 10-12 years. The jeep road is rough and on a north facing slope for the first portion and I would guess that in the winter you'll not be able to go very far on this road. If you've never snowshoed before, I would not suggest this as a first outing. If you haven't hiked this trail in the summer before, I wouldn't suggest that you do it the first time in the winter. In the summer, with packs (@65lbs, full of climbing gear) it took us 3-5 hours to cover the 7 miles to South Colony Lake and it was exhausting. There is alot of vertical climb to the lake. My rate of travel is much slower on snowshoes than walking, and I find that traveling in them is much more tiring than normal hiking. I don't remember whether there would be alot of avalanche danger along the trail to South Colony. Up at the lakes should be OK as there is lots of runout in the bowls and the steep slopes shouldn't hold too much snow.

Thank you Mel. That was very thorough. I guess I will save that trip for next summer, unless someone experienced invites me to go. It sounds like I cannot go wrong with buying Atlas snowshoes.

Thanks Darren! That website is awesome. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do tonight.