Melissa and I are planning a couple more short trips to the SJ's this winter, and we'd like to do some snowshoeing while there. Keep in mind that she is a little bit belly heavy at the moment, being 6 months pregnant and all. As such, we're looking for some easier, scenic stuff.
Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on January 8, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Well here's what I've found out so far....the Molas Pass area is great for snowshoeing. You can find some easy stuff there as the Molas meadows have a network of groomed snowmobile trails all over the place (which means you'll have to deal with snowmobilers, of course). You can start from the Molas Pass rest area, Molas Lake, the turnout to Little Molas Lake (which is plowed), or another plowed pullout on the east side of 550 just before the road begins its descent to Silverton. The turnout to Andrews Lake is also plowed for parking and you can snowshoe/ski to the lake and beyond.
I've also been doing some research on where to snowshoe in the Telluride area. Its really hard to find info beyond guided tours, but I did find out that a popular (and novice rated) snowshoe/ski/snowmobile route goes from Lizard Head Pass down to Trout Lake. Its an out and back on an old railroad bed so you just go as far as you'd like and turn around. It sounds scenic, but I've yet to try it. Another option is to utilize the groomed nordic/snowshoe trails at the top of chair 10 at Telluride. No doubt that would be scenic. You can find info on that here.
I've heard that the county roads out of Ridgway (5 and 7 anyway) are plowed to a point and then can be skied/snowshoed from there, but I haven't really investigated that further. You may want to look into that as well. Maybe one of the locals from the area can tell you more.
Thanks for the information, Guy. Rich Durnan also made some suggestions. Molas Lake sounds interesting, as does the Telluride trail to Trout Lake.
Posted by Sarah Marino on January 9, 2009 at 1:45 AM
Hi Bret -
On a few occasions, a friend of mine who lives in Telluride has recommended the Alta Lakes Trail as a good option for snowshoeing. If you are heading south out of Telluride, the turnoff is on the left about 5 minutes past the Mountain Village turnoff. The route follows a rugged road to lakes, which are ~ five miles in (probably too far for your wife), but I hear it is very scenic along the way and I plan to try this out soon myself. The Bear Creek Trail leaving from Telluride might also be another option right around the town - shorter and easier.
One of my favorite hiking areas in the San Juans is the Wilson Mesa area between Ridgway and Telluride (great photo opportunities of Mount Wilson, Wilson Mesa, Woods Lake, and ranches in the area if you take the detour to the Wilson Mesa Loop). I have seen a few guidebooks that note this same area as a good snowshoeing destination. If my memory is correct, you turn on Fall Creek or Silver Pick Road to access the Wilson Mesa area. This area is also really quiet during the fall and a great area for fall colors photography (we only saw one other couple during a full day in this area during peak fall colors this last year).
A new edition of Snowshoeing Colorado by Claire Walters just came out. Of the books on this topic, this one is my favorite and you might want to check it out. Also, I am not sure about the avalanche danger in any of these areas.
Have fun!
Posted by Bret Edge on January 10, 2009 at 2:58 AM
Awesome information, Sarah. Thank you! I'll go hunting the local bookstores for that book tomorrow.
Posted by Bret Edge on January 12, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I don't know if anyone else is following this thread but I got some more information from a Telluride local last night. I stopped him for speeding and told him I'd give him a warning if he'd give me two good areas around Telluride for snowshoeing. You guess which option he chose.
His recommendation for a good, easy stroll was the Valley Floor Trail. I guess it's owned by the City of Telluride and is full of groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
I asked him what he'd recommend from a photography standpoint and he quickly responded, "Trout Lake". Big views of big mountains, I guess. Can't wait to test out his recommendations, as well as some of the others ya'll made!
Posted by Sarah Marino on January 12, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Sounds like a good deal for the speeder! Trout Lake is very pretty, but one thing to think about is that it is surrounded by buildings (mostly homes). Thus, you have to get closer to the mountains to get buildings out of your shots, if I remember correctly. The middle section of the Telluride visitor's guide magazine has a good list of trails close to town, too. That magazine is a good place to get info on the trails like the one mentioned by the speeder.
Discussion
6 repliesAny and all ideas will be greatly appreciated!
I've also been doing some research on where to snowshoe in the Telluride area. Its really hard to find info beyond guided tours, but I did find out that a popular (and novice rated) snowshoe/ski/snowmobile route goes from Lizard Head Pass down to Trout Lake. Its an out and back on an old railroad bed so you just go as far as you'd like and turn around. It sounds scenic, but I've yet to try it. Another option is to utilize the groomed nordic/snowshoe trails at the top of chair 10 at Telluride. No doubt that would be scenic. You can find info on that here.
I've heard that the county roads out of Ridgway (5 and 7 anyway) are plowed to a point and then can be skied/snowshoed from there, but I haven't really investigated that further. You may want to look into that as well. Maybe one of the locals from the area can tell you more.
On a few occasions, a friend of mine who lives in Telluride has recommended the Alta Lakes Trail as a good option for snowshoeing. If you are heading south out of Telluride, the turnoff is on the left about 5 minutes past the Mountain Village turnoff. The route follows a rugged road to lakes, which are ~ five miles in (probably too far for your wife), but I hear it is very scenic along the way and I plan to try this out soon myself. The Bear Creek Trail leaving from Telluride might also be another option right around the town - shorter and easier.
One of my favorite hiking areas in the San Juans is the Wilson Mesa area between Ridgway and Telluride (great photo opportunities of Mount Wilson, Wilson Mesa, Woods Lake, and ranches in the area if you take the detour to the Wilson Mesa Loop). I have seen a few guidebooks that note this same area as a good snowshoeing destination. If my memory is correct, you turn on Fall Creek or Silver Pick Road to access the Wilson Mesa area. This area is also really quiet during the fall and a great area for fall colors photography (we only saw one other couple during a full day in this area during peak fall colors this last year).
A new edition of Snowshoeing Colorado by Claire Walters just came out. Of the books on this topic, this one is my favorite and you might want to check it out. Also, I am not sure about the avalanche danger in any of these areas.
Have fun!
His recommendation for a good, easy stroll was the Valley Floor Trail. I guess it's owned by the City of Telluride and is full of groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
I asked him what he'd recommend from a photography standpoint and he quickly responded, "Trout Lake". Big views of big mountains, I guess. Can't wait to test out his recommendations, as well as some of the others ya'll made!