North Rock Creek Snowshoe

Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,180 ft to 9,780 ft
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Dogs: Off leash until the wilderness boundary

North Rock Creek, near Silverthorne, CO is in the lesser-used area and is one of the many trails that head west from Highway 9 and into the Eagles Nest Wilderness. With a little bit of everything, it has a lot to offer. There are sweeping views of Ptarmigan Peak and Old Baldy to the east, some huge Aspen groves, an expansive meadow, and lot of “peak”-a-boos to the west. For both the snowshoer and the skier, this trail is very easy. There are a couple of short hills to ascend, but nothing major. If you are new to snowshoeing, give this one a try.

To start, head up Rock Creek Road, a plowed road right across from the Blue River Campground on Highway 9. The plowed section ends right before the large switchback you see on the topo map. There is medium-sized plowed parking area on the left marked by a sign that says Rock Creek Trailhead. Don’t be confused here. The road actually heads sharply up behind this parking area while a more prominent spur road continues due west. This road is not on the map, so it may easily be confused with the main route. It dead-ends shortly at a gate for some private homes.

After a series of switchbacks, the trail straightens out and heads due west. The first mile is open and filled with young Aspens. 

There are several easy milestones on this trail to keep you aware of your distance. It is 1.5 miles from the winter parking area to the summer trailhead. 0.1 miles beyond that is the boundary for the Eagles Nest Wilderness. 0.3 miles beyond the wooden wilderness sign is the intersection with the Gore Range Trail, which is prominently marked by another wooden sign. We always take a group of novice snowshoers out early in the season. In the past, we have chosen Peru Creek for its wide road and easy grade. Rock Creek may supplant Peru Creek because of it constant rewards.

Fall in the Rockies

2013 is an unprecedented year for reds

Fall has finally arrived in Summit County. Now is the time to get out and wallow in the cooler temps, blazing blue skies and red-toned Aspens.

The Lilly Pad Lake Trail (Frisco Side) is a great Aspen walk. Another great trail to try near Silverthorne is the Ptarmigan Trail.

Lower Straight Creek

Distance: 4 miles round trip (much further possible)
Elevation: 9,385 ft-9,885 ft
Elevation Gain: 500 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 1 July 2013

One of the open meadows along the lower portion of the Straight Creek Trail

So why you ask would any outdoor lover worth their Nalgeen bottles want to hike on a dirt road that parallels noisy, dirty, aggravating I-70? Because sometimes we humans sacrifice our sensibilities for our four-legged companions who don't like to stay on the trail, disregard wilderness boundaries, and otherwise make a nuisance of themselves. For those reasons, Lower Straight Creek is an ideal guilt-free afterwork outing.

The trailhead.  The route starts at the gate on the left

Crossing Straight Creek

The Forest Service says that to get to the trailhead, take exit 205 off of I-70 (Silverthorne/Dillon) and travel south on highway 6 toward Dillon. In approximately 1.2 miles turn left at the traffic intersection of Hwy 6 and Evergreen Road. Then make an immediate right onto County Road 51 and follow this for approximately 1.7 miles until it ends at a gate and the trailhead parking area.

The Straight Creek Trail is an old road so it is wide and rutted in parts

A truck cruises by along I-70

The Straight Creek Trail parallels I-70 the entire way up to Eisenhower Tunnel but I only went up 2 miles. Because of recent clear cutting, there are some wide open expanses jealously guarded by Marmots and a few darker, more confining segments that at times felt downright primeval. In the more open areas are some nice views of Buffalo Mountain.

Looking back at Buffalo Mountain

I-70 is, as you might expect, very close but up 300 ft-600 ft berm and at times much lower but further away. I paid close attention to Ginger, the hyper one, to make sure she stayed away. Fortunately, the shrubs, trees, and critters near the creek were far more enticing.

Ginger searches for critters in the downed trees.  Even after this outing, she still got me up at 6am to go again. Geesh!

Be aware that the trailhead serves two trails. Lower Straight Creek starts across the bridge to the left.  South Straight Creek starts on the right hand side of the creek.

Angler Mountain Trail

Distance: 4.4 miles round trip to Ptarmigan Trail, 5.4 miles round trip to Bench
Elevation: 8,542ft -10,112ft
Elevation Gain: 1,571 ft (cumulative)
Date Hiked: 29 June 2013
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash

The Tenmile Range and open verdant meadows are only some of the attractions on the Angler Mountain Trail

In summer, the Angler Mountain Trail in Silverthorne, CO will make your eyes pop with the number and variety of wildflowers that dot the route. In the more forested sections Colorado Columbine fill every nook and cranny while on the more open Sagebrush hillsides Lupine, Scarlet Gilia, Blue Flax, Pontentilla, Cushion Buckwheat and many more ebb and flow with each undulation of the terrain. What is also amazingly fun, is the first mile of the hike contains placards identifying these flowers as well as the local trees and shrubs.

The Trailhead

The initial steep hillside.  Elevation gain is a consistent 500ft/mile.

The overall route is on the east side of Highway 9 and takes the hiker up and down verdant hills while slowly gaining altitude. The trail ends with its intersection with the Ptarmigan Trail and from this intersection it is only 0.5 miles to the Ptarmigan Bench, a series of logs in an open clearing with stunning view of the Gore Range.

Heading into an Aspen Grove

Wildflowers line the trail

Angler Mountain is relatively new trail and therefore not any of the maps you are used to looking at. The trailhead is located within the Angler Mountain Townhomes off Bald Eagle Drive in north Silverthorne. Take Bald Eagle Drive at The Ponds, cross the Blue River, and continue around the townhomes to the south and the prominent trailhead. The route starts sharply up a dry Sagebrush hillside and then proceeds to go up and down similar hills, some dry, some covered in young Aspen trees, and some shaded by Lodgepole pines.

Another open Aspen Grove

Approaching the new road at 0.7 miles

The early part of the trail winds through homes being built in the area and crosses a new road at 0.7 miles before gradually tapering off into more pristine areas.  At 1.8 miles the route reached the top of another hill and looking down the other side, the trail seemed to end abruptly at the bottom. I stood there staring for a while because I knew the trail continued having seen its apex on the Ptarmigan Trail but I did not want to descend only to find I had taken some wrong turn somewhere and was on the wrong trail. Finally, I descended the hill to find the trail continued but was totally hidden by the shrubs.

This pleasant Aspen tunnel was the gateway to the  wilder  meadows in the upper reaches of the route. 

Views of the Gore Range abound

After winding 2.2 miles and 1,216 ft up to the Ptarmigan Trail, I decided to head to the Bench, which I thought was only a hundred yards or so further on. It was in fact 0.5 miles.

Heading off into the more open expanses

Lupine line the trail

Despite the few forested sections of the trail, there is very little shade on this route, which made for a hot, dry climb. If you can, start earlier in the day to avoid the heat and the afternoon thunderstorms which build behind the Gore Range and come rumbling eastward as the day progresses.

A sharp switchback heading up another hill with more views of the Gore Range

One of the final pitches to the Ptarmigan Trail

Lilly Pad Lake from Ryan Gulch Road

Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,619 ft - 9,915 ft (high pt is 10,003 ft)
Elevation gain: 314 ft (net), 900 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Date Hiked: 25 July 2012
Dogs: Technically on leash (wilderness)

Lilly Pad Lake

For those who live on the slopes of Buffalo Mountain in Silverthorne, an evening stroll to Lilly Pad Lake is a delightful way to escape the heat. Located at the far "up mountain" extent of Ryan Gulch Road, the trailhead with its large kiosk is impossible to miss. 

Trailhead

Fireweed and blue skies greet the hiker starting out for Lilly Pad Lake

If you have never done this trail before, be forewarned, the trail starts out heading sharply upwards along a wide dirt road. The angle of ascent will make you feel like you are climbing Buffalo Mountain and you will wish you had brought along your supplemental oxygen. Don't worry though, while steep, this section is short and the trail soon levels out before crossing a large clear-cut meadow with spectacular views of the Lake Dillon and the continental divide.  While shocking to some, this clear cut area is a necessary consequence to the ongoing Pine Bark Beetle infestation and without it, we would have no views on this trail. 

Where's the Moose? 

Typical crossing of one of the swampy areas of the trail

Once past the meadow, the trail dives into the trees and gets swampy.  You won't need fishing gaiters, however because there are wooden bridges or stones to keep your feet dry. In the same area are several Moose-friendly ponds to capture your interest. Do keep your eyes peeled for these tough-guys of the forest. They have been spotted more than once in the area. If you don't see a Moose, you'll for sure find wildflowers blooming in the damp soil and birds chirping melodiously from every shrub. 

Crossing a large talus pile

Typical dry segment in Aspens

For the remainder of the trip, the trail dries out and meanders up and down gracefully through Ponderosa or Aspen forest.  At times the shallow roots of the Aspen trees are exposed creating trip hazards so look down every once in a while or your'll find yourself admiring the roots up close! 

The junction with the Salt Lick Trail, which heads straight down Buffalo Mountain. 

A Clark's Nuthatch watches over the trail.

There are actually two lakes at the culmination of this trail. Lilly Pad Lake is large and shallow and shaded by many less-than-perfect Ponderosa Pines. There is also a smaller lake or pond that is actually covered in Lilly Pads and on this route is arrived at first, so don't be fooled. Head a little further down the trail and you'll come to the main lake.  The smaller lake is the more attractive, but be sure to visit both. 

The smaller lake filled with Lilly Pads 

A close up of some Lilly Pad flowers

Recall that you can also get to Lilly Pad Lake from the Frisco side. If you are new to the area or just visiting, take that route. It is far more scenic and will introduce to several of the biomes in the area. On the other hand, denizens of Wildernest will need no encouragement to take this route since it is literally out their back door.  

Fall Color on the Ptarmigan Trail

I knew when I hiked the Ptarmigan Trail in Silverthorne last spring that it would be spectacular in the fall. It did not disappoint! There is nothing like cooler temperatures, deep blue skies, and yellow Aspen leaves blowing in the wind like confetti.

Sun glints through tall Aspens

Curved Aspens frame Buffalo Mountain

Rolling hillsides covered with Aspens with Lake Dillon in the distance

A parting shot

Ptarmigan Trail to Bench

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,150 ft - 10,100 ft
Elevation Gain: 950 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked:  31 March, 2012

Aspens and the Tenmile Range dominate the view to the southwest from the "Ptarmigan Trail Bench"

The Ptarmigan Trail is one of the few trails along with Acorn Creek that ascends to the top of the Williams Fork Range in the town of Silverthorne.  This is a pity because the Williams Fork Range looks across to the more scenic Gore Range with its jagged peaks and enticing passes.  You can take this trail all the way to Ptarmigan Peak (12 miles round trip), do a lolly pop loop (~7 miles round trip), or make a shorter jaunt to an open meadow looking down on a field of Aspens and across to Buffalo Mountain.  On this trip we had intended to do the loop but were finally turned around at 3 miles by deep snow.  Elsewhere the trail was dry, except for a few icy spots when the trail drifted into a Spruce/Fir biome.

Even at the trailhead there are views

Trailhead kiosk

I can see the Ptarmigan Trail from my condo on the slopes of Buffalo Mountain but because I have always wanted to go all the way to the peak I have ignored it.  I should not have waited because this trail is just lovely and will now become a favorite after work doggie outing along with the Tenderfoot, North Tenmile Creek, and Lilly Pad Lake.

The short road segment with signs.  This portions is actually wickedly steep.

A nice view of the hill the early segment traverses.

To get to the trailhead, drive up past the hotels on the east side of the Silverthorne exit until you see Ptarmigan Drive. Turn right here and drive a short distance to a small parking area on the right.  A trail kiosk is on the other side of the road.  The terrain here is Sagebrush, rocks, and relentless sun.  Even though we were hiking this trail on the last day of March, it was HOT.  I can not imagine what a sunny day in August would feel like.

American Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)

Looking southeast to Dillon Valley, a small "town" hidden by the walls of I-70

The guidebooks will tell you that the first 0.6 miles of this trail are a calf and lung buster and they are right!  After cutting along the edge of some private property the route intersects a road and then heads STEEPLY upwards for around 100 yards on the hot pavement until it heads off into the Sagebrush again.  Fortunately, there is a nice wooden sign with an arrow pointing the way and another wooden sign with the text "Ptarmigan Trail" at the point where you leave the road.  This short segment is as fatiguing as the notorious approach to Mt. Sniktau and only slightly lets up as the trail goes up and around a  large hill.  Having to photograph the area is always a good excuse to stop and gasp and I found myself turning around frequently to admire the views of Lake Dillon, Peak One, and the many Pasqueflowers that were already blooming, God help us, in March.

A critter version of a buffet line.  Grubs and insects are on the menu.  Shall I make you a reservation?

The second trail kiosk at 0.7 miles

On the other side of the hill is another trail kiosk that reminds hikers that this trail will eventually end up in the Ptarmigan Wilderness Area.  Dog owners, don't worry about this yet.  The boundary is not for another 3 miles!

Heading into the Aspens at 1 mile

A view of the Gore Range and Aspens

From this point on, the trail drifts in and out  of Aspens as it climbs more gradually northwards and upwards along the lower slopes of the Williams Fork Range.  When the trail curves inwards the biome changes from Aspens to Spruce/Fir and Lodgepole Pine, and becomes darker and damper.  These interludes are short lived, however.  Most of the trail is on exposed slopes with lots of sun and Aspens.  I had read that this trail was a Fall color bonanza and I can see why.

I caught this American Red Squirrel in the act of protesting my presence with its ear shattering call.

The turn around point for this post is an open area with majestic views of the Gore Range.  Over the years, hikers have manipulated fallen trees to form a series of benches upon which to lounge.   We did not linger too long however,  because our goal was the loop.  From this point on the trail goes deep into a Lodgepole forest, filled with downed trees that must be navigated.  It was not for another half mile that we finally came across deep snow.

Forest Service Trail #25, the Angler Mountain Trail, intersects the Ptarmigan Trail at 2 miles.  I did not even know this trail existed.  We ran into two hikers who came up this way.  They said it was steeper than the Ptarmigan Trail, which means I will have to check it out!

Slick ice prevailed in the Spruce/Fir Forest.  We had brought our micro-spikes just in case and they came in handy but we had to take them on and off. 

For those of you who have not visited Summit County this winter, the realization that we did not find snow until we were only a mile away from the tundra may shock you.  In 2011 the snow did not melt until late July and we grumbled that summer never really came.  2012 saw hardly any snow and the fact that we were hiking on bare dirt in MARCH is actually scary.  Two days before this hike, there was already a fire near Keystone.  2012 looks to be a dangerous drought year.  It will however promise to have a long hiking season.  Everything is a trade off in this world.

The bench

This is the 2.5 mile view from the bench. From left to right is Peak One (barely visible), Buffalo Mountain, and Red Peak.

The only thing that disappointed me about the Ptarmigan Trail was the fact that I had not hiked it sooner.  A favorite with the locals, it traverses four different biomes and a fifth if you make it to the tundra, so it is great for experiencing the entire ecology of Summit County in one day.  If you are just visiting, the initial ascent should be taken very slowly (or not at all...there are easier trails to be had), but for locals, this is a great way to stay in 14er shape in the off season.  Don't wait as long as I did to give it a try.