North Tenmile Creek Snowshoe

Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,097 ft - 9, 932 ft
Elevation Gain: 835 ft

A view of frigid Ten-mile Creek with Wichita Mountain (10, 855 ft on the left)

North Ten-mile Creek is a trail right at the second Frisco exit (coming from Denver) so it is an easy choice if you are in Summit County and don't want to drive too far. It is not high on views but the sojourner at least has a sense that mountains are nearby with occasional meadow crossing and open areas.

The trailhead

I was going to title this post North Ten-Mile at Ten Below because that is how cold it was and that did not include the wind chill. Even with long underwear under my ski pants, my legs became quite chilled. It seems I need to calibrate my gear every season, forgetting how warm or nor-so warm particular choices are. Long underware comes in various grades. I could have worn a warmer set for sure.

The sign indicating the split from the road to the North Ten-mile Creek Trail

As I mentioned above the trailhead for this trail is right on I-70 at the second Frisco exit. There is a large parking area and Forest Service sign that will be quite evident when you exit the highway.

A typical trail segment in the trees

The route starts up a road towards some obvious green water tanks and then veers off trail at a nice sign that points uphill. From this point on the route steadily gains elevation and winds in and out of coniferous trees.

Snow carvings

At 1.0 miles the trail levels off and comes close to Ten-mile Creek itself. Take a moment step out into the open and admire the creek. In winter, the wind carves the snow into ice sculptures and the water trickles in and out of ice flows.

The meadow where we sunk up to our haunches

The wilderness boundary is located 2 miles from the trailhead and this is where we turned around. Before getting there, however we crossed a small open area that contained much wind blown snow. We sank up above our haunches in this zone in the fresh snow that no one had traversed in a while.

The wilderness boundary

It being far too cold to lounge, we quickly sipped some hot chocolate out of a thermos and headed back to the trailhead. On a warmer day we might have continued. I have never done this trail in the summer but may have to put it on my list.

How you dress for -10°F...Facemask, goggles, and down coat under the jacket

Treeline Loop Snowshoe

Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 10, 407 ft
Elevation Gain: 630 ft (cumulative)

Typical Segment of the inner portion of both the Treeline Loop and Powerhound Loop

The Treeline Loop on Tennessee Pass near Leadville and Ski Cooper is not the most exciting trail but it sure is popular. Exceptionally well marked, blue diamonds and large wooden signs guide cross-country skiers and snowshoers through the loop options, which is good, because otherwise it would be very easy to get lost.

The Treeline Loop starts in the trees past the bathroom and comes out just out of view to the left of the photo.

The route starts on Tennessee Pass in a large parking lot directly across from the entrance to Ski Cooper. For this parking lot there are 4 possible routes. The Treeline Loop and the Powderhound Loop are the shortest and together form a very mushed numeral 8. The middle portion of the 8 is the same for both loops.

The first trail marker. Both the Treeline Loop and Powderhound share the inner portion.

You can take either loop in any direction, but we chose to start at the western end of parking lot. This segment is coincident with the Continental Divide Trail and a sign within 50 yards lists mileages to Copper Mountain Ski Resort to the north (23 miles), and Hagerman Tunnel (see summer hike to that area) to the south (14.9 miles). Shortly beyond this is another sign showing the turn for the Powderhound Loop continuing up the Continental Divide Trail and both the Treeline Loop and Powderhound heading up the middle. This is the direction we chose.

Coming into the open meadow at the top of the ridgeline

The initial portion of the trail is totally in the trees and winds east and west as the trees permit. This is the first trail I have been on where there was a separate track for skiers and snowshoers. I found this particularly tedious because the two tracks interwove continuously so we were constantly trudging back and forth.

The trail sign at the end of the middle portion (at 1.34 miles)

After 400 ft or so of elevation gain we came to the top of the ridge. Here there were a few open meadows but still no views. There were so many tracks that it took us a while to find a blue diamond and our route. Don't let the meadow bushwhacks fool you, there is another wooden trail sign at the apex of the 8 (at 1.34 miles) and you should persist along the ridge until you come to it.

There are a few more open areas on the lower portion of the Treeline Loop, but not many.

Our original intent had been to do the Powderhound Loop, but we were frankly so bored with the area that we wanted out of there as quickly as possible and so chose to head left on the shorter Treeline Loop.

The junction with the Continental Divide Trail (at 1.92 miles) indicating the Treeline Loop heading left. The back side of this sign says "Colorado Trail" and points to the right from this angle.

From this point the trail heads sharply downward through yet more trees until it reaches the other side of the Continental Divide Trail. This junction at 1.92 miles is also marked with a wooden sign. From this intersection the Treeline Loop heads left and back up to the parking area.

Don't get excited by this "peek-a-boo". It lasted for a couple of seconds and was the only one we saw.

Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows I don't like being in the trees. Whether hiking or snowshoeing I like the wide-open view. Having done the Bemrose Ski Circus off of Hoosier Pass near the Breckenridge Ski Resort the day prior, this trail seemed like a snore-fest. Don't let my jaded attitudes prevent you from trying it however. It is ideal for novices since it is relatively flat and well marked and it would be ideal on a day when the nefarious Leadville winds are blowing. If you are in the area and want something more challenging with better views, check out Vance's Cabin, the Lower Mosquito Pass Road or my all time favorite Mayflower Gulch near Copper Mountain.

Mesa Cortina Snowshoe

Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 8,824 ft - 9,473 ft
Elevation Gain: 649 ft net (790 cumulative)

Bathroom at Trailhead: No

Dogs: Off leash until wilderness boundary (0.9 miles)

Tags: #snowshoe, #silverthorne, #coloradooutdoors

View from the Mesa Cortina Trail of family frolics 

The Mesa Cortina Trail is a popular trail in Silverthorne CO that in summer can be used as an after work doggie outing or connector trail to South Willow Falls. In winter, it makes for a pleasing snowshoe because it alternates between deep forest and open meadows.

The initial part of the trail travels through Aspens.

The trailhead is located in a residential area of Buffalo Mountain. There is a parking lot but no bathroom.

Looking back towards Lake Dillon from one of the early meadows

Shortly after the trailhead, the trail narrows and winds downwards through thick Fir trees covered in thick globs of snow. Protected and dark, I suspect this snow stays on the trees all winter. The only thing missing from this winter tableau was a Starbucks kiosk selling eggnog lattes.

The narrow Fir-laden part of the trail

Below this section is one of my favorite local meadows. The official route stays on the upper side with views of the Williams Fork Range, but the steep slopes and piles of snow are inviting and many a track attest to those who chose to frolic in the open.

Crossing another meadow

Beyond the meadow, the route begins a steep climb through a stand of mostly dead Lodgepole Pines. Stark and lonely, this segment will at least get your heart rate up.

Looking towards the Williams Fork Range

While in summer, I have traveled the entire length of the trail, in winter, I usually go out after work when time is limited and will stop after the trail levels out and begins its shift back towards the north. If you have plenty of time, you can continue all the way to the intersection with the Gore Range Trail. The scenery won't change much, though if you do.

Heading up hill into the trees. This segment is steeper than it looks.

Placer Trail Snowshoe

Distance: 3 mile loop
Elevation: 9,083 ft - 9,466 ft
Elevation Gain: 514 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Off leash (Forest Service)

Sun glints through the high clouds in the clear area between Ryan Gulch Road and I-70.

On the slopes of Buffalo mountain between Ryan Gulch Road and I-70 is a swath of Forest Service land filled with social trails that interconnect in a million different ways. Since I frequent the area, this zone has become my place for after work or mid-day doggie outings.

Standing in the meadow near the trailhead and looking south towards I-70 and the Eisenhower tunnel

Mt. Guyot (13,370 ft) is usually visible from the meadow.

This post covers one route through this maze. It it not meant to be a guide to a particular trail but a taste of the area, particularly since there is no parking any where near our starting point.

Crossing the second meadow with Peak 1 in the distance

The right turn to cross the creek and stay on the Placer Trail

My route started at the trailhead due south of the Silver Queen West Condominiums and headed straight across a large "meadow" that is really a clear cut area. At the far end of the meadow, the trail splits. I took the left fork and headed down the hillside to another junction in a large meadow. The junction is marked by a large wooden sign that says Placer to the right and Columbine to the left. I took the right fork.

The flat zone of the Placer Trail

Looking down on I-70

The Placer Trail at this point heads down to the creek and around a bend. In the summer, I cross here and head north towards the Salt Lick Trail. In winter, the trail forks again with one route heading due east and the other crossing the creek at small pumping station. Both routes were well tracked. I crossed the creek.

Heading east again after descending from I-70

From this point, the route stays in the trees and follows a level path that might be an old flume or a irrigation ditch. It heads steadily towards I-70 and eventually comes out right below it. I took a quick jaunt up the hill to look 0ut on the zooming traffic. Directly across from this ascent the trails heads back down hill to small valley and then heads west.

The trail eventually heads north again across a small valley. The Salt Lick Trail is ahead in the trees.

Before long, the trail veered north across another valley and crosses the Salt Lick Trail. The Salt Lick is the one official trail in the area. The trail head is located at the first switchback of Wildernest Hill and the trail goes straight up the valley until it intersects the trail to Lilly Pad Lake.

Coming out at the Salt Lick Condominiums

Heading straight north up the center of the clear cut area towards Buffalo Mountain

After crossing the Salt Lick, my route headed uphill through a small gully filled with interesting rock formations and came out right at the Salt Lick Condominiums. From here the trail forked in many directions, but it was obvious which trail headed west towards Buffalo Mountain and our starting point. I followed this trail as it veered southwest and eventually ended up at the Columbine/Placer sign. From there I turned north again and retraced my steps across the clear cut area to the trailhead.

The sun begins to set

If you live in or visit Wildernest, these trails are a treat any time of year. There are golden Aspens in the fall, fields of Fireweed in the summer, and fluffy snow in winter. I have taken great great sunrise photos from this area and hope one day to capture one of the resident Moose. Don't be afraid to enter the maze. With views of Buffelo Mountain, Peak 1, and I-70 it is difficult to get lost.

Mt. Guyot (13,370 ft) and Bald Mountain (13,684 ft) through the clouds

Bemrose Ski Circus Snowshoe

Distance: 3.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 11, 541 ft - 11,989 ft (highest)
Elevation Gain: 1,173 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Off Leash (National Forest)

The views looking west from the Bemrose Ski Circus can't be beat

The Bemrose Ski Circus is a series of winter trails on the west side of Hoosier Pass near the Breckenridge ski resort. For the most part, the trails are unmarked and the skier or snowshoer can go where they will. We were in the Ski Circus to try out the Flume Trail, a flat trail that bisects the area. Our plans changed dramatically upon arrival, a fortunate event because the best views in the area are up high and NOT on the Flume Trail.

Trailhead sign

Map of the area courtesy of the US Forest Service

Both guide books we were using indicated that the Flume Trail was the only marked trail in the area and was marked with blue diamonds. Additionally, the National Geo and Forest Service Maps both showed the Flume Trail splitting off from the right border trail a couple of hundred yards from the trailhead.

Starting out directly behind the trailhead sign. Blue diamonds could be seen in the trees.

The reality is the Flume Trail starts right at the trailhead with an immediate left. The right border trail, in contrast, starts directly behind the sign and is marked with blue diamonds. Of course we did not know this until much later.

There were lots of interesting views to the south from the trail

We followed the blue diamonds as anticipated, continually looking for when they might split off to the left and start the Flume. We never saw this and kept climbing higher along the right border of the area. One other party had broken trail for us, so it was not terribly difficult to keep climbing. We knew we were not where we were supposed to be but the views of Mt. Lincoln, North Star Mountain, and Quandary Peak that were filling the sky line behind us, which drove us higher.

Out of the trees now and heading upwards. We knew we had missed our turn off by this point but the route look too interesting to back track.

The tracks we were following cut north near 12K feet and headed for the top of a small rise. Below was a Sprint cell phone repeater. The rise was covered in willows that made for rough going as the snow collapsed around them. The tracks headed back down the mountain via the antennas but we decided to turn back around and retrace our steps to see if we could find the Flume Trail.

Higher up both North Star Mountain and Quandary Peak form a winter tableau.

Once back down we kept looking for any blue diamond that might lead off to the right. Finally, we saw one on a telephone pole out in the middle of a meadow. We could see no others but dove into the knee deep snow to see.

Our tracks coming down the unmarked but highly inviting hillside that finally dumped us on the the Flume Trail

Standing beneath the pole the meadow dipped down sharply in two directions. One followed the transmission right of way and the other headed down into some trees. Deciding to just play, we headed down the slope, sliding, laughing, and enjoying the fresh powder. After a bit we could see a well trod trail heading north. We figured this had to be the Flume. Blue diamonds were quite plentiful for 50 yards or so.

The recessed Flume Trail. The ditch reminded me of a Civil War era sunken road.

After a quick lunch we headed up this trail that immediately dove deep into the trees in a sunken ditch that is the flume. 5 minutes of this monotonous scenery, and we were ready to turn around and go up again. Fortunately, the Flume Trail crossed a drainage and we immediately turned up it, breaking trail as we went.

Our second journey upwards

We kept going right up the gut until we crested a small rise where we could look down onto the Bemrose Creek Drainage. To our right was a ridgeline that looked easily scalable. Our GPS told us we were farther east than our turn around point on the other side. Had we the time we might have gone over the ridge to make a loop. We'll save that for another day.

The open meadow through which we climbed was bordered by a ridge to the south and trees.

Back down to the Flume Trail, we retraced our steps and at the junction where we came into it, we took the obvious turn to the right and followed this out to the trailhead. We did not see any Blue diamonds in this section, so who knows what the real route is supposed to be.

Our final turn around point. A small pass with Mt. Lincoln (14,286 ft) and North Star Mountain (13,614 ft) in the background.

The Belmose Ski Circus turned out to be a nice surprise. The view above the trees is stunning. The routes one can create are varied in both views and difficulty. Unless you are a total novice, do include a route that goes up the hillside, you won't regret what you see.

Our GPS track. We started on the lower part of the map then did the upper.

Altitude Profile