Gold Dust Snowshoe (Central Section)

Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 10, 333 ft - 10,700 ft
Elevation Gain: 267 ft
Dogs: Off Leash

The deep trench and shelf-like aspect of the Gold Dust Trail.(Photo by Cratch)

The central portion of the Gold Dust Trail (County Road 50 to Forest Road 801) out of Como is a serene and easy traverse along a long forgotten flume that once diverted water from North Tarryall Creek to mining operations in the upper Tarryall Drainage. This nearly flat trail weaves lazily through a mixed Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pine Forest with only a few "peak-a-boos" to the east. It exudes solitude and is a great trail for novices or those that like to feel the hush of winter.

The trailhead off of Country Road 50. Note the sign says 698. The map lists this trail as 653 (Cratch).

(On the left: A rare photo of the author who is usually behind the camera. On this trip she ignominiously forgot it. All photos are credited to Suzanne Cratch or another anonymous participant. Thanks Ya'll!)

On this trip the snow was at least 3 feet deep and piled in soft, rolling drifts. Not a pine needle stirred and the gray skies hung over the area like a comforting blanket. Some group had broken trail before us, which made the going much easier. Their passage resulted in a hip-width trench with 1.5 to 2 ft sides that had more curves to it than a bobsled run. All of the elevation gain on this trail occurs in the first quarter mile of the trail. This trail is very well marked. Blue blazes dot the trees almost every few feet or so it seemed. There are even blue arrows at strategic intersections.

As we were sloshing along, I could not figure out how this trail could be so flat and so continuously curvy until I returned home and read about the flume. My instincts had been right. There was something not quite natural about our route. The labors of long dead miners had created an artificial topography. I am sure they never envisioned the flume being used by under exercised suburbanites looking to escape the city. Burning calories was not a problem for those hearty pioneers.

A less deep trail segment (Cratch)

One of the infrequent "peek-a-boos" (Cratch)

To get to this trail, take 285 to Como (9 miles west of Fairplay). Follow Boreas Pass Road (County Road 33) until it turns sharply right at the Peabody Trailhead (Robert's Cabin). This is the junction with County Road 50, which continues straight for several miles until it dead ends at a gate. 1.0 miles up CR 50 is a small vertical Forest Service sign near a trail register and large wooden home. Both are on the right hand side of the road. Parking is just along the side of the road. This trail is well marked on National Geographic Map 109. In the winter, Como is totally shut down, so don't expect any coffee shops or bathrooms nearby. The closest are in Fairplay.

The sign for the Tarryall Creek (Cratch). Road 801 is another 800ft beyond.

Suzanne and Laura play in the deep snow near our turn around point.

Como is probably not your list of places to visit this winter, but this trail should not be overlooked by those seeking an outdoor adventure unmarred by exessive panting. I rarely recommend trails totally in the trees, but this trail touched me. Its soft lines, and quiet aspect have a meditative quality that is worth experiencing.

Just before the road is an open meadow with a nice view of Boreas Mountain (13,082 ft).

Our lunch in the snow. What you can't see is that I am sitting on an inflatable butt pad and sipping hot coffee from a thermos. We outdoor divas like our creature comforts!

Baker's Tank (Boreas Pass Rd) Snowshoe

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,350 ft to 11,050 ft
Elevation Gain: 700 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date snowshoed: 18 January 2009
Tags: #snowshoe, #coloradooutdoors, #breckenridge

Our Destination...Baker's Tank. Note the ski tracks to the left. This is where the CMC trail comes in.

On a sunny calm day, the Baker’s Tank snowshoe near the Breckenridge Ski Resort will fill you with awe. On an overcast or very windy day, this snowshoe will be a bone chilling experience, so choose your time well. This is also not a snowshoe for those who cringe at the sight of another Homo sapien because they will be there in droves, at least for the first 1.5 miles, after which they seem to thin. Still, the views are sublime, the trail is easy, and route to the trailhead is passable by passenger cars. This snowshoe will not prepare you for a winter assent of Mt. Bierstadt, but it will fill you with the joy of the outdoors. Sometimes that can be just as good.

0.5 miles from the trailhead is Rocky Point. Here the views begin.

Rocky Point

This trail is outside of Breckenridge and begins where Boreas Pass Road dead-ends into a plowed parking area. There are two options for this snowshoe. One is the road itself, which we took, and the other is a narrow trail through the trees, which cuts across to the tank. The guidebooks say this trail is more secluded, contains less people, but also has an additional 400 ft of elevation gain. We chose the road not for fear of the elevation gain but because we wanted the views. I can take the hordes if the views are worth it. Others may feel differently.

Looking south at what I believe is Mt. Argentine (~11, 300 ft)

Goose Pasture Tarn with the Tenmile Range in the distance

Boreas Pass Road is an old rail bed for one of the first narrow gauge railroads to traverse the continental divide. In its day this was an important commercial route. The destination, Baker’s Tank, is a steam engine watering tank that has been restored by Summit County. Such a history means the road gains elevation very gradually. Boreas Pass Road does go all the way over Boreas Pass to the town of Como. It would be a hearty soul indeed to traverse that distance on snowshoes. Many do continue another 4 miles to the Section House and John’s Cabin huts, which are located near the pass itself.

Boreas Pass Rd traverses several Aspen Groves. Note the people and the very wide, packed trail.

The meadow at 1.5 miles. Many people turn around here. The best views are up to this point. Just past the trees on the right is another large meadow to the south. If you only came this far, it would be worth it.

Because this route is so popular, we ended up leaving the snowshoes in the car and just used Microspikes. As you can see from some of the pictures the snow was very compressed. I can’t imagine deep snow on this trail unless you happen to live in Summit County and can hit it right after a good dumper.

Closer to the tank there are less Aspens but nice views of Bald Mountain.

The main views are of the Tenmile Range, which include the peaks of the Breckenridge Ski Area plus Quandary Peak. The mountain to the south I believe is Mt. Argentine not to be confused with Argentine Peak, which is off of Peru Creek Road. Behind Baker’s tank is Bald Mountain.

Heading back now with views of the Tenmile Range

Quandary Peak (14, 265 ft)

The first milestone one the road is Rocky Point at 0.5 miles from the trailhead. It is here that views really begin. At 1.5 miles is a very large meadow. Here you can access the tree-lined trail mentioned earlier.

The closer we got to the trailhead, the more people we began to see.

The lower end of Boreas Pass Road does traverse several nice Aspen Groves, which makes me wonder about driving this in the fall. I confess I tend to do a lot of the same snowshoes over and over again because if I am going suffer through I-70’s ghastly traffic jams, I want it to be worth the pain and agony. Baker’s tank on a sunny day has just expanded my repertoire.