This segment located off the summit of Molas Pass passes by beautiful high alpine lakes and meadows of snow in the middle of the towering San Juan Mountains. Adventure Adviser: At 9,000 feet above sea level and about a mile above the Colorado . This offers steep climbs in one direction and flowy descents in the other without the worry of clipping trees along the way. Bryce Canyon National Park and vicinity, cross-country skiing is allowed in the national park. Durango Restaurant Week is Here Durango Restaurant Week is Here Both prix fixe menus and specialty items are available from April 1-9 throughout La Plata County! You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. If you encounter something different, please message us so we can update the information. Total distance, round trip is about 5 miles. Part of the La Plata Canyon trails system. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Located just west of Durango, La Plata Canyon is the physical valley that sits between the two mountain ranges that make up the La Plata Mountains. 06.29.23 Trail damage from runoff ln ramparts south and large tree blocking Ramparts North. It felt so nice to just go fast, whichh is exactly what good corn allows you to do. Skiing can be difficult if you're unfamiliar with the sport, if you need to take some lessons or go with someone who knows what they're doing. Junction Creek Road is a great area for touring skiing and fat biking (once compacted). Parking: Plowed parking area adjacent to raod. We enjoy it, and we hope you do too! The La Plata River at Highway 140 in Colorado. Between the madness of the Holidays, quarantine blues, and Netflix binges, we could all use a little outside time. The groomed trail begins between the store and the laundry mat, look for the trailhead register. These trails feature a variety of interconnected loops over rolling terrain approximately 10 miles north of the top of Lizard Head Pass and are groomed for cross country skiing. 06.29.23 Forest service roads are now open to snow line (approx 11,000 ft). The Durango Nordic Center is the ideal location for getting into the sport of cross-country skiing for beginners and is an excellent location for experienced skiers as well. Dogs are not allowed on any groomed trail on the Valley Floor. Visit my website by clicking the image below and give me a call: We at 14erskiers rely heavily on GAIA to guide us while backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and hiking! Ski clinics are open to all levels and include a womens only event. If youre a powderhound, youll have endless fun in the steep and deep skiing or snowboarding around Durango! For reference, the La Plata Mountains are the peaks that are visible from downtown Durango if youre looking west. Sorry. dches@azstarnet.com. For non-emergency situations you may contact the Chief Ranger's Office, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. La plata canyon hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Before you head out, it's also best to check the recent snowfall and cross-country trail conditions with the trail's managing entity; links to these agencies are typically listed in the Related Links box for each trail on TrailLink.com. Groomed trail from parking lot to trailhead is 1.75 miles. Each trail is also rated for different difficulty levels so new skiers can ramp up the difficulty as they grow more comfortable. Durango and its surrounding areas are a paradise for nordic skiers and Winter enthusiasts, but the number of trails and places to go for nordic skiing can be a little overwhelming. Skiing in the La Platas 5.21-5.22.16 June 7, 2016 Frank Konsella 0 Comments (Last Updated On: June 12, 2016) The La Plata subrange of the San Juans has long intrigued me. 06.29.23 Lower Elbert is good to cabin and then snow. Parking is limited. Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors. Nordic/Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing. Local trail sawyers have cleared downed trees on West Cross Creek Trail (Stagecoach), the Colorado Trail from Hotel Draw Road to Scotch Creek and first 2 miles of the Southside of Blackhawk. District of Columbia, Maryland - 184.5 miles, Asphalt, Ballast, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel. 06.29.23 Rico Trail Alliance reports that downed trees have been removed and Salt Creek is good to go. 06.29.23 Road to Ice Lakes now open but with limited parking and camping. Please note, registration is required to join us for trailwork; please click below to register. 06.29.23 Junction Creek Road USFS 171 blocked by landslide by Neglected Mine Road. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad also departs from town year round. Cross Country Skiing. Donate to Durango Trails or volunteer for trailwork to help give back to the trails you love. You can rap into the canyon or hike down on the trail to the base. Silverton groomed ski trails are fantastic for fat biking and cross country skiing (skate and classic), located at Kendall Mountain and Memorial Park. From the intersection of the Town of Hesperus, US 160 & La Plata Canyon, turn onto La Plata Canyon Rd (CR124).Travel approximately 10.6 miles up the canyon. ungroomed Directions: From Durango, go 10 mi. Alpine Loop (including Engineer and Cinnamon Pass) is now open. As you float over the powdery snow, you get the chance to experience a world rarely seen, with iced-over alpine lakes and untouched natural wonders scattered around you. Snowshoers must travel on designated snowshoe trails, or fresh snow (ungroomed surface). With some of the most unique terrain in the lower 48, the San Juan Mountains offer one of the most exciting high alpine experiences for skiers and snowboarders alike. A trail fee is required. Groomed trails and nordic centers are a great spot for when you're really looking for a workout more than anything, or just don't have all day to explore areas that might be a little further out there. The cabin is well insulated and can be used year-round. Or maybe its just that they look really interesting from the Colorado Trail between Blackhawk and Kennebec pass, on the way to Durango. Start just past the lower gate. Discover this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Hesperus, Colorado. to end of plowed road. Southern Maryland Athletic Conference. With nearly three quarters of a mile of riverfront to enjoy, this stretch of La Plata River has excellent fishing with small brook trout and some cutthroat trout as well. Named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains (la plata is Spanish for "silver"), this county is home to the San Juan National Forest, the Weminuche Wilderness, the Colorado Trail, and the San Juan Skyway, a designated national scenic byway. If you are a resident of another country or region, . 1018 ft . You may park in the Museum parking lot or near the picnic area, along the headquarters loop. My friend Will lives in the area and was happy to show me around for a couple of days. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. In the dry season, this road is a popular jeeping and 4WD route in the area. This would be a long one, but Ive done longer, harder, steeper routes with greater vertical before. Winter trails will be available once there is an appreciable amount of snow and the park has begun to groom the trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Located in the La Plata Range, the pass falls along the Colorado Trail and can be accessed on foot, bike or horseback. To reach the Kennebec Pass Trailhead, a 4WD vehicle is required to climb the challenging county roads into Cumberland Basin. La Plata Canyon - Durango Trails Wilderness Journeys Pagosa. Possibly the most scenic of all the routes on this list, the Colorado Trail starts in Denver and runs all the way down to Durango. The trail system is operated by the Chelan Ranger District with the Lake Chelan Nordic Ski Club; Sno-Park permits and NW Forest Passes are not honored here. Bolam pass can be taken all the way to Rico (near Telluride) if you have the time and energy. La Plata County, Colorado . If you're like us and can't wait to hit the snow in the winter, you can use TrailLink.com to find cross-country skiing trails and trail maps. 06.29.23 Reports of solid snow for 1 mile on both sides of Bolam Pass. Follow Brittany's account of her trauma on July 6th and her recovery since! 06.29.23 Trail user Craig reports that there are no snow patches or downed trees 8 miles up Cascade Creek Trail. 8.83km from La Plata Canyon. Be sure to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website before enjoying some backcountry pow. Snowmobiles are allowed on the road but typically it is to access cabins or backcountry terrain. But, Jackson Lake is not frozen enough to cross, and not thawed enough to row. The top of this road reaches the Colorado Trail (at high country) on the top of Kennebec Pass. Stay up to date by checking the Trail Conditions report and following us on Facebook or Instagram. Guide to Cross Country Skiing in Durango The end of the trail is marked with a sign; travel past that point is not permitted. There is also a full service snack bar, ski . Unfortunately due to ice and snow dangers the petroglyph panel cannot be accessed. But you will be out and about in the winter, so wear warm clothes. Many of the routes in Cascade Canyon are well under a pitch tall, making the area a great spot when you cant afford to ice climb for a full day. west on Hwy 160, turn north on CR 124 & go 5 mi. Creating "social trails", cutting switchbacks, or ignoring trail closures leads to greater erosion and impacts on ecosystems. Little Molas Lake opening delayed. Perins Peak closed by CPW through July 15. 02 :37 hrs . In the winter La Plata Canyon Road is often groomed for a few miles, providing an in-town area for out-and-back fat biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Nordic/Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing - Mesa Verde National Park He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter. Lavender Peak . 06.29.23 There is some standing water on Dutch Creek Trail but downed trees have been cleared. CROSS COUNTRY Varsity GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY . Tucson, AZ. Purgatory Bike Park now open from 10am to 5pm daily until August 13, 2023 (then weekends until October 1). Join us for trailwork on the Haflin Creek trail, July 26th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Rail-trails in particular make great cross-country skiing trails since most railroads were built fairly straight with gentle (often less than 3%) grades. Besides, Durango is a great town (or is it a little city?) The electric is supplied by solar panel/battery system and a powerful propane generator. Total round trip distance is 3 miles. This blog takes a tremendous amount of our time and effort. menu Meetings & Events Offered by Frank Konsella, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Today Realty & Associates: Click the image below to give it a listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android! With no entrance fees (donations are appreciated as it is maintained by volunteers) and located in the middle of Durango, Hillcrest is a great spot to get some laps in when you don't have all day, or just want to make sure a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate is always nearby. PO Box 8 Soda Canyon Overlook Trail (map): Park at the north end of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum parking lot. Far View Sites Community: Park in front of the Far View Sites gate. When engaging in winter activities follow these safety guidelines to ensure a great experience: Pets are not allowed on the trails. At the end of the appointment, the doctor sat me down and said, Lets talk about skiing. In my head I said, I thought youd never ask! But, I refrained. . Mount Moss : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost The property has a small cabin which is heated by propane. Walking without snowshoes is not permitted on any groomed trails. 06.29.23 East Vallecito Road at Mile 1.5 603 opened on 05.02.23. La Plata Canyon (#11) - San Juan National Forest More photos and information can also be found on the Durango Trails Facebook, Instagram, andTwitter pages.We appreciate your help in keeping this report accurate. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! If nothing else, Im itching to get back to Zia Taqueria, that was one of the best burritos I can remember. 06.29.23 Multiple downed trees, large boulder and overgrowth from Champion Venture to Walls Gulch. For those seeking freedom from the couch, Netflix, or political debates with family, the weather around Durango, Colorado has provided the perfect escape. Map & Directions Map Coordinates: 37.436294, -108.035088 Where's the Trailhead? You'll have to bring your equipment with you, but there is parking nearby so you won't have to go too far on foot. Classic ski tracks are set to the edge of the groomed trail and will have two parallel tracks about 8 inches apart running parallel with the groomed trail. Check out these trip reports from a unique subrange of the San Juans. They offer nordic and skate skis along with a pass for around $35. Hesperus Ski Area is 8,880 feet above sea level. Wolfcreek Snowmobile Tours (Pagosa Springs) - All You - Tripadvisor Durango Nordic Center is groomed for cross country skiing and you must purchase a pass to ski. When I'm not skiing or biking, I love helping people with their Crested Butte and Gunnison real estate needs. Park Point: Park in front of the Park Point gate just off the main park road. The area is just a few miles past Purgatory Resort at the hairpin, on Old Lime Creek Road. Ever thought about spring skiing in the La Platas, west of Durango, CO? Reservations are required! Of course, there was the whole spiel about starting out slow, on groomers only, etc. Just past Molas Lake, look for a parking lot on the east side of the highway. Though no trails are groomed, leave it to other visitors to break trail, or if you're feeling up to it, break a new trail of your own. Sorry. The trail head is at the Forest Service facility about 500 yards past the campground entrance. 06.29.23 EMT at top has 3 feet standing snow. Please consider financially contributing to help us continue to build and maintain great trails. 06.29.23 Missionary Ridge Road (lower) 682 now open. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association also provides helpful resources, including information about how to dress for your trip, a list of retail outlets for the equipment you'll need, as well as a podcast and video tutorials for new skiers. 06.29.23 Local trail sawyers have cleared downed trees on the first 2 miles of Blackhawk on the Southside of the Colorado Trail. Pedestrian traffic is not allowed on the groomed trails; see below for places to enjoy a nice walk. Hans had moved to Jackson from Colorado in 2014, but we knew him from skiing in Colorado. Bolam Pass is part of the Hermosa Creek Trail system, To access Hermosa Creek Northern parking area: From Durango, take highway 550 north from Town and turn left at Purgatory Ski Resort. Please follow best practices and understand that the groomed trails are put in for forms of winter recreation that requires it for access, such as skate skiing, classic tracks and fat biking. Comedian Steven Wright once said, "Cross-country skiing is great.if you live in a small country," but we beg to differ and are envious of those that can take advantage of this rewarding sport. Camping. Numerous cliff dwelling viewpoints are available along the way. Here you'll find long-distance trails in both remote regions of the West and in populated parts of the East and Midwest. Located above Cascade Canyon, just after Purgatory Resort, this mellow out-and-back road offers views of the San Juans and the canyon below. (Please check the park's Hiking page for trails that are available before the snow falls and the winter trails are open.) There are still some significant overgrowth beyond High Point down to Walls Gulch. For winter trails updates, visit the Winter Trails Condition Report page. Morefield Trails (map): Park at the Morefield Campground Store for access to the following trails. Book your soak online. Snowshoers and walkers should stay to the right, off the track, and dogs are not allowed in all locations. Take a right into the. Winter trail access is from the Chapin Mesa Picnic Area, with return the same way. His friend Don also joined us, as we made our way towards Tomahawk Basin. 06.29.23 Hotel Draw is open up to Divide Road. Although one of the most unique places to ski, the San Juan Mountains around Durango are the most avalanche prone mountains in the state, so make sure you have the proper training and equipment, or that youre skiing with a guide before you go. The stunning La Plata Mountains can be found nestled into the southwestern corner of Colorado, just northwest of Durango. If a groomed trail is designated as mixed use (snowshoe and ski) snowshoers must travel at the edge of the trail opposite the classic ski tracks. As you trek along, youll be greeted by towering peaks and thick aspen groves in all directions- without the crowds! 06.29.23 Roaring Fork Forest Service Road now open and in good condition up to Divide Road. La Plata Canyon is a popular multi-use Winter recreation area, from alpine skiers, snowmobiles, XC skiers, and snowshoers, there's something for everyone here. During Winter, the area develops a well-established trail system, sporting miles of cross country skiing trails throughout the valley floor via County Road 124. The guy is strong: The funny thing was that when we topped out on this couloir, we were at the top of the exact same line that we skied the day before, just from the opposite side. He hadnt known anyone who had done it. Molas Pass - Colorado Trail Segment 25 The 16+ mile round-trip day features over 4,000 feet of elevation gain as you climb into the clouds. The trail follows the road to and around the various mesa top archaeological sites. The only downside is that some trailside amenities close in off-season months. Petroglyph Trail (mesa top portion) (map): Park in the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum parking lot. In both directions, youll be greeted by views of the 13,000 foot peaks in all directions. Durango has a handful of friendly, local gear shops known for legendary service and a strong passion for the outdoors and the Durango community. Kennebec Pass - near Durango, CO | San Juan National Forest A buyer could add a home on the property as well if they desire more living space. Just south on Highway 143, in the winter the road into Cedar Breaks National Monument closes and the area offers 7 miles of groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the . Cross Country Skiing In Utah [Maps, Trails, Info] | Visit Utah For the true weekend-warriors, we recommend trekking to the top of Kennebec Pass. Lake shorelines. He is very passionate about skiing, mountain biking, and most importantly coffee! All-in-all theres no better place to cross country ski in Durango than in La Plata Canyon. Due to the fact that it is a golf course, travel across the course and off the track is not permitted. the true summit of Babcock requires some loose class 4 scrambling, but we were content to wait for the snow. Moran could be approached from the String Lake Trailhead via Leigh Lake Trail, and that the road to String Lake opened up on May 1st. With nearly three quarters of a mile of riverfront to enjoy, this stretch of La Plata River has excellent fishing with small brook trout and some cutthroat trout as well. Do no The landscape includes approximately 52,800 acres of National Forest lands north-northwest of Durango. The Hillcrest parking lot is located at 2300 Rim Drive on the Mesa near Fort Lewis College and overlooking the town. PDF Motorized Travel Rules - US Forest Service Help support our work so you can continue to connect to the outdoors by giving to Durango Trails!