winter river valley snowshoeing

I'm sorry for not having posted in a long while.  It's not because I've avoided the outdoors, nor did I leave my camera at home, but forgot I should be sharing photos and stories with you.

Most weekends from November through January, when I wasn't shoveling I was snowshoeing.  I kept the trail packed up until the big snowfall that so far has been the last big snowfall.

winter expands the wilderness

McKee Pond and the Raggeds

Though the official boundaries remain unchanged, the practical boundaries of the wilderness areas expand in the winter, as the areas accessible by vehicle contract.  Even venturing out by foot -- snowshoeing is one of my favorite winter activities -- you don't have to go far to feel like you're far out there, and you don't have to go far to get in trouble, either.

Upper Elevation Snowpack is About Average Heading Into Memorial Day Weekend

The relatively mild winter could fool one into thinking that high country hiking and backpacking will be hazard-free, but late snows and cool temperatures in April and May brought the mountain snowpack levels up to the average (Aspen SkiCo is opening Ajax Mtn this weekend for skiing).

If you're going up high, or will be on north-facing or shaded trails, wear gaiters and be prepared to post-hole.  Also expect high water stream crossings, as the warm weather is accelerating the snow melt now.

To get up-to-date snowpack data, follow this link: SNOTEL

The ghost town of Independence

CDOT opened Independence Pass on Thursday, so Friday I drove up there to see the twenty foot walls of snow and take both photos and videos.

On the way down, I stopped at the ghost town of Independence.  You can see the snow is very deep.  Well above average snowpack at the higher elevations this year will either delay spring hikes or make them more challenging.  I was post-holing on top of the pass, where the wind prevents it from getting too deep (though it's very deep just below the top).

It's time to start looking at my favorite low-elevation and south-facing trails to see where I can get out and explore.  Or I can bring snowshoes, and check out the other trails...

Snowshoeing on Huntsmans Ridge

Midway between Redstone and Marble, Colorado, in the Crystal River Valley, is the road to McClure Pass.  From the top of the pass, Forest Service roads run north and south.  The southern route is Ragged Mountain Road.  To the north is Huntsmans Ridge.  The latter offers great views of the Crystal River valley, Chair Mountain and the Raggeds (as well as Treasure Mountain, just outside of Marble), and continues around the south and west sides of the Coal Basin.

Most foot traffic, including skiers and snowshoers, follows the easier Ragged Mountain Road.  While pleasant enough of a hike, the views and experience, in my opinion, are superior on Huntsmans Ridge.  Climbing about 1,000 feet per mile, it's relatively steep, but that's just what my friend Dana calls "efficient."

Today, I was able to follow the tracks of backcountry skiers who had skinned up much of the way.  From then on, I was breaking trail, which wasn't too bad, because I didn't sink so much in the heavy snow that fell this past week.  The trees were blanketed in snow, which made for some interesting photos.  The views were spectacular.  I think I'll go back up there tomorrow.

Winterscape with mountain and river

Chair Mountain, lit by the morning sun, is reflected in the Crystal River one winter day in Colorado.

One of my favorite places to shoot, this bend in the river is known as Placita, and is midway between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

Beaver Lake in Marble, Colorado

It won't be long before we'll be able to travel past Beaver Lake into Lead King Basin.  For now, however, this is the end of the road.  A late April, early May storm is leaving lots of snow behind, even though much of it melts as the sun comes out in between squalls.  It was during one of these breaks yesterday morning that I drove into Marble to get some shots of the cloud-shrouded mountains reflected in both Beaver Lake and the pond downstream of town.

I love this view!

Of course there are thousands of views I love.  Colorado is one of the most spectacular places to hike, backpack, ski, snowshoe.... or just live. 

The scene above is looking southeast towards the Ragged Mountain chain, with Chair Mountain on the right.  I took this from just below McClure Pass, on Highway 133, between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

The longer days mean more photo ops, and I may be coming in late to work if the conditions warrant it.  Spring is a time for fog in the Crystal River valley, and foggy mornings can produce incredible landscape images.

Snowshoeing is the way to go

Snowshoeing was much easier this weekend, as we enjoyed the warmest weather since November.  The snow was much more settled, and we didn't have to wear nearly as much clothing. 

A friend took us to visit some friends of his.  Their house is accesible only by snowshoe and snowmobile in the winter.  We parked by the road and hiked about a third of a mile uphill.  Then we went farther up with our hosts, exploring the landscape high above the river.

Fresh Tracks

The wilderness areas that we hike in all summer are too snow-bound for day hikes in the winter.  Many trailheads are inaccessible, the trails themselves are in avalanche-prone areas, and we just can't go as far on snowshoes in deep snow as we can in hiking boots on dirt trails. 

So we stay closer to home, and explore the local areas that are easy to overlook in the summer.  Today we we went up Basalt Mountain Road, on Missouri Heights.  Cross-country skiers, many with dogs, were drawn to this route.  Most of the snow was trampled, but I found a few clean patches, including this one with the tracks of a mouse that had run across it.

Winter Landcape

A hike up Avalanche Creek on a cold wintry morning yielded this photo of steam rising from the rapidly freezing water. Avalanche Creek is in the Crystal River valley, south of Carbondale, Colorado.

See more photos from the day, as well as photography from other outings, at:
www.flickr.com/photos/silbecl

More from the Crystal River

Another snowstorm, another snowshoe outing.  The pillowy shapes formed by the snow on the rocks and river banks make the scene look like a fancy dessert.Snowshapes on the river keep drawing me back for more.

Colorado National Monument

A cold morning outing was well worth it for the images I brought back.

 

The trails are snow-packed and icy, but hiking around the base of the Monument isn't difficult.  Winter is a great time to visit many of Colorado's desert destinations.  Not only are they uncrowded (often empty), you'll see them in a very unique way.  The contrast between the rock and snow makes the vistas more striking than the same views in summer.

Nightscape

The January full moon, otherwise known as the Drive Without Headlights Moon, is high and bright, and it's abundant light reflects off the snow to create some fantastic landscapes. I think the shutter was open for about twenty seconds in this one.

 

Once in a while you need to leave the warm comfort of home and head out into the winter night to enjoy views like the one above. 

Snowshoeing on the Crystal River

Winter offers a completely different set of opportunities and challenges - both to exploration and photography.

Snowshoes are my favorite way to explore the backcountry in winter.  It takes about twice the energy to cover a mile as it would hiking in summer, but the rewards are great scenery and an incredible experience.

I recommend carrying spare camera batteries in a pocket that's close to your body.  The cold weather saps the juice from your camera batteries rather quickly.  Other than that, the only other challenge I've found to winter photography is fogging - of the lens, the viewfinder, and my eyeglasses.  My DSLR behaves like a champ in much colder temperatures than my 35mm could handle. 

If you're planning a ski vacation to Colorado, consider taking a day or two to explore the backcountry by snowshoes or cross-country skis.  You probably don't get our here too often in winter, so take advantage of a bad weather day to try a new outdoor activity.