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.

Another snowshoe outing in Colorado's North Fork valley

Several miles below McClure Pass, in the North Fork Valley, the landscape is a mix of ranches and public lands.  There's a little known trail here, straight west of Chair Mountain, that we tried to find yesterday.  No luck on that front, but we did have a good time snowshoeing over the ridges and through the gullies of this area near the Ragged Mountains.  Breaking trail is hard work, and our best progress was made when we rotated the lead.  Though less than six weeks from the winter solstice, the sun is already climbing in the sky, and despite the mix of clouds yesterday, I managed to get a little sunburn on my face. 

Huntsmans Ridge in Winter

Snowshoeing up Huntsmans Ridge this morning, I was puzzled as to why, the higher I went, I still hadn't seen anyone.  When I crested the ridge, about 1,500 feet above McClure Pass, I saw my answer.  The skiers that preceded me skied off the north side, into the valley below.  The south side, while much safer, and the route everyone takes up, was pretty settled and it would have been a challenge to carve turns there.  The snow on the north side was probably outstanding, but one needs to have good avalanche knowledge and some well-equipped friends before trying such a thing.

Huntsmans Ridge extends north of McClure Pass, on highway 133.  It has its own parking area, or you can park at the top of the pass and walk downhill a hundred or so yards.

Scenic Winter Vista

I first discovered this point several years ago when I was hiking up Huntsmans Ridge in the summer.  After reaching the ridge, I saw a game trail leading down it, and followed that out to the end, where one is treated to a nearly 360 degree view.  To the north, you can see Mt. Sopris, and to the south, the North Fork (of the Gunnison) valley.  This shot is taken to the southeast, with (from left to right) Treasure Mountain, Ragged Mountain, and Chair Mountain most prominent.  You also get a nice view of the Crystal River Valley at the bend where the settlement of Placita used to exist.

I never dreamed of being able to enjoy this view in winter, but was able to reach it by snowshoes this weekend.  I broke a lot of trail on Saturday, so when I returned on Sunday, was able to go even higher.  I would have liked to shoot this from closer to the edge, but didn't want to risk having the cornice give way, and take me on an express ride to the bottom.

Huntsmans Ridge can be reached from McClure Pass, near Marble and Redstone, Colorado, a half hour north of Paonia.  The trail runs north of the pass, while to the south is Ragged Mountain Road, an easier and thus more traveled route.

Snowshoeing fun!

Combining ten photos into a gif file made this interesting "mini movie" of Mark and Angela descending on snowshoes.

Click on the image if it's not animating for you.

Snowshoeing up Huntsmans Ridge

After crossing this clearing, I heard some voices behind me, and descended a few yards so I could capture this photo.  Despite temperatures just below freezing, the sun and hard work of climbing a thousand feet through deep snow warm you up quickly, making a t-shirt the only thing you need to wear.  When I return to the ridge today, I'm bringing a dry shirt to put on when I get to the top.

I broke several miles of trail yesterday, and see no reason not to take advantage of that by following in my own footsteps today.  I'll probably seek out some fresh snow for part of my descent, as running down a snow-covered mountainside in snowshoes is almost as much fun as skiing down it (and much easier when the snow is thick and heavy).

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.

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.

Snowshoeing in the Colorado winter landscape

Even with snowshoes on, we were sinking over a foot deep in the snow.  Had we been wearing only boots, I can't imagine how difficult it would have been to travel very far.  The cold weather this winter is preserving the snow and keeping it light and fluffy.  I was really surprised it hadn't settled more.

Starting  near the Bogan Flats group camp, downstream of Marble, Colorado, we traveled up the Crystal River until the steep slope turned us back.  A snow squall was fully upon us by the time we returned to the car.  Earlier the area was bathed in sunshine. 

The winter landscape, especially when the blue skies are obscured by clouds, is rather monochromatic.  Thus shooting landscapes in black and white, instead of color, just seems like a natural thing to do.  I like the results.

Snowshoeing in the Raggeds Wilderness

Starting at Erickson Springs, we snowshoed up Anthracite Creek into the Raggeds Wilderness Area.  This trail is called Dark Canyon, probably because the steep sides prevent the winter sun from reaching the bottom.  The photo above was taken after we came out of the canyon, and is looking westward, or downstream.

Erickson Springs is between Kebler Pass and the Paonia Dam, in western Colorado.