Sourdough South Snowshoe

Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,252 ft - 10,053 ft
Elevation Gain: 838 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Dogs: Off leash
Tags: #snowshoe, #coloradooutdoors

Trailhead

The Sourdough Trail north of Nederland on Highway 72 is a popular spot for local winter enthusiasts who don't mind the crowds or limited views. The trail is actually quite long, traversing from County Road 116 in the south to County Road 112 (Brainard Lake Road) in the north. This post profiles a southern segment from the trailhead to the Peace Bridge over Four Mile Creek at 2.7 miles one way.

Map of the route. Star at the end marks the location of the Peace Bridge.

Sourdough is mostly in the trees

The Sourdough trail ascends rather gradually at first but then turns sharply upwards at 0.8 miles where the route makes a sharp left turn at an open vista of Niwot Mountain. At 1.4 miles the route crosses an open road and at 1.9 miles there is a large sign marking the trail. There are two small drainages that are crossed that can be easily seen on the map. The bridge itself is located at the bottom of a deeper drainage and may be obscured by snow. The sign for it can only be seen from the other side. The terrain is in the trees most of the time, which can provide shelter on a blustery day.

Rare "peak-a-boo". Mt. Niwot

Old sign at 1.9 miles

While the parking lot is large and is split into three fingers, it still fills up rapidly on winter weekends, so plan accordingly. The trailhead is located across the road from the parking area and is marked by a large kiosk.

Last downhill pitch to the bridge

To get to the trailhead, travel north on Highway 72 out of Nederland for approximately 8 miles and then turn onto County Road 116. CO Rd 116 is plowed but will be snow packed. The parking lot is located a quarter of mile or so on the left.

Peace bridge

The official sign is only visible after crossing the bridge

Pioneer Union Ditch Snowshoe

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,971 ft to 10,597 ft
Elevation Gain: 626 ft
Dogs: Off leash
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #snowshoe, #coloradooutdoors
Nearby Snowshoes: Hefferman Gulch Road

Rare "peak-a-boo" along Pioneer Union Ditch

Pioneer Union Ditch near Idaho Springs is a great place to snowshoe if you hate the hordes, love the seclusion of the trees, and don’t mind finding your way. It spends only 0.7 miles on a well-defined path before diving off into a deep valley filled with interlocking mining roads.

Map showing the route up Pioneer Union Ditch

Leaving Leavenworth Road and heading into the Pioneer Union Ditch

The trail begins on north side of Guanella Pass and starts up Leavenworth Creek Road, which heads towards the Waldorf Mine. There was no street sign for this road, but it occurs at the first major switchback coming up from Georgetown. Within 0.7 miles, the route leaves the road, which continues sharply upwards towards the right, and instead dives into Pioneer Union Ditch, following old mining roads that hug the valley floor.

Hard packed snow, dogs and trees.

Typical segment along a road and in the trees

Since this is a valley, it is actually hard to get lost. Persistent power lines head west and Leavenworth Creek Road is 200 yards and several hundred feet above on the right.

Crossing a more open area

Creek Crossing

There is little or no mountain scenery on this trail, but there are Aspens, meadows, and the sound of a crackling brook. On this trip, there was little to no snow for the first 1.5 miles but after that, it picked up. Most of the elevation gain is in the first mile.

Heading back down on Leavenworth Creek Road

While we decided to turn around at 2.5 miles Pioneer Union Ditch continues to parallel Leavenworth Creek Road for miles and miles. As an alternative it is about 6 miles (one way) to the Waldorf Mine.