Due to the distance this trail is rated as moderate. more information on current conditions Sign in at the Trail Register so rangers will know you are out there. Durango is known for some of the best cross country skiing in Colorado; With an abundance of trails and numerous groomed nordic centers, Durango is the perfect spot for pros and beginners alike. Free snowshoe rentals are available at the visitor center. La Plata Warriors - Official Athletic Website - La Plata, MD The top of this road reaches the Colorado Trail (at high country) on the top of Kennebec Pass. Just on the border of San Juan National Forest lies Missionary Ridge, a trail that during the winter becomes nearly perfect for winter recreation. 02 :37 hrs . Find the perfect la plata canyon stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Snow patches at 10,800 and solid by 11,000 feet. If you are a resident of another country or region, . Kennebec Pass - near Durango, CO | San Juan National Forest While snowmobiling and cross country skiing are also popular activities in the area, they dont allow you the freedom to explore as well. Take the Colorado Trail west towards Little Molas Lake, or northeast towards Molas Lake (different from Little Molas Lake), the Animas River, and Silverton. Explore Laplata Canyon | AllTrails (36 Code of Federal Regulations 212.1). 06.29.23 Lower Elbert is good to cabin and then snow. This includes La Plata (Durango), Archuleta (Pagosa Springs) and Montezuma (Dolores/Cortez). 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! Rail-trails in particular make great cross-country skiing trails since most railroads were built fairly straight with gentle (often less than 3%) grades. Cross-Country Skiing: The 16 Top Resorts in the U.S. 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. Fat bikes should not be used on trails at Priest or Trout Lake but there are designate multi-use trails on the Valley Floor where mountain bikes may be used. Uploaded by Adel. Due to its distance this trail is rated as moderate but the terrain is relatively flat. Whether you decide on cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or skiing, theres no better place to play this Winter than around Durango, Colorado! Snowshoers and walkers should stay to the right of the groomed track. Adrenaline & Extreme Tours Ski & Snow Tours. The trail is maintained for about half its length before being left to natural conditions. It also features one rope tow and one double chair lift. ideal setting for cross-country skiing. Will took the lead: The snow was decent, although it was probably great springtime powder just a couple of days earlier. Where to Cross-Country Ski in State Parks - DCNR Open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from early December to mid-March. Hans had moved to Jackson from Colorado in 2014, but we knew him from skiing in Colorado. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head west on 9th Street toward Camino Del Rio (Highway 550). 80% of the skiable terrain is lighted for night skiing. The Wells Group of Durango, Inc., (970) 259-6680, 8580 County Road 124 , Hesperus, CO 81326. For emergencies, please call 911. Start just past the lower gate. This branch of the San Juans is home to 18 unique peaks measuring over 12000 feet and is the traditional home of the Ute People. Trail user Will reports that trail from Champion Venture to High Point in poor condition with 12 downed trees (several large), large boulder on trail and overgrowth up to High Point. Map & Directions Map Coordinates: 37.436294, -108.035088 Where's the Trailhead? In addition, southwest Colorado is also home to the highest concentrations of 14ers than anywhere else making it a perfect spot for ski mountaineering. The summer recreation on the property and on the vast forest service lands in the area include excellent hiking, climbing, biking, motorcycle and ATV riding, jeep touring, fishing and of course, hunting. 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. Young girl learning how to cross country ski in La Plata Canyon, Mayday, Colorado, USA. You will find around 15 kilometers of nordic trails groomed for classic and skate skiing along the beautiful shores of the lake. Parking: Plowed parking area adjacent to raod. The Winter Trail Conditions page is intended to provide you updates on area Winter Trails available for cross country ski trails (groomed or ungroomed), hiking, trail running or fat biking. Additionally, there are six nordic skiing areas in the immediate vicinity: Telluride Town Park, the Valley Floor, the golf course in Mountain Village, the top of Chair Ten (TopAten) on the ski area, Trout Lake and Priest Lake. Connecting to a few other trails near its peak is the La Plata Canyon Trail, a nearly 10-mile-long trail that makes for great hiking, biking, and running during the warmer seasons. The area is just a few miles past Purgatory Resort at the hairpin, on Old Lime Creek Road. There also is a 20-mile cross-country ski touring concession adjacent to the PA 653 parking area. Enjoy fat biking and touring skiing up the groomed County Road. The only downside is that some trailside amenities close in off-season months. Kennebec Pass tops out at 11,600 feet with a 360-degree view of the La Plata Mountains, the mesas of Durango, and the San Juan Mountains to the north. We were lucky enough to have a decent freeze, so we decided to do a warm-up run on the eastern facing part of the basin. Say "on your left" as approaching other trail users from behind. Races include several nordic events, as well as snowshoe 5 and 10Ks. La Plata Canyon - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting - Travalour Though some trails are plowed in the winter, many are left snow-covered for snow-sport uses. Visit during the Lake Chelan Winterfest January 13-22. Covering almost 2 million acres of land, the San Juan National Forest is one of the most beautiful and scenic places to ski free XC skiing, if adventure and wandering is more your style. Its clear that were all a little stir-crazy right now. 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. Visitors are asked to not hike or snowshoe . La Plata County, Colorado | Map, History and Towns in La Plata Co. They give you the ability to lap certain trails while having your car and some amenities nearby. Priest Lake and Trout Lake are located 12.5 miles south of Telluride, on the east side of Hwy 145, just past the Materhorn Campground off of Lizard Head Pass. Petroglyph Trail (mesa top portion) (map): Park in the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum parking lot. Cross Country Skiing Trails Near Me - TrailLink Please dont litter. You can rap into the canyon or hike down on the trail to the base. But its probably just that I like exploring new places to ski. And we wouldnt exist without your support! Be sure to wear the proper winter gear to avoid the chill or getting hypothermia. The Echo Ridge Nordic area boasts more than 25 miles of groomed trails. 06.29.23 Trees cleared by Durango Trails sawyers. Check out these trip reports from a unique subrange of the San Juans. Moderate . About 30 minutes north of downtown Durango, sits Cascade Canyon: an accessible and beautiful ice climbing area home to bright limestone and gushing waterfalls. Mountain Biking. Durango Nordic Center is groomed for cross country skiing and you must purchase a pass to ski. Between the madness of the Holidays, quarantine blues, and Netflix binges, we could all use a little outside time. Do no It has 13 runs, of which 30% are beginner difficulty, 20% are intermediate and 50% are of expert difficulty. You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. No fat bikes or aggressive dogs allowed. From Purgatory, follow Hermosa Park Road up to the Hermosa Creek Campgrounds where youll cross a small creek. As a fairyland of ice columns and frozen waterfalls, Cascade Canyon was recently featured in Rock and Ice Magazine, and is on the radar for local climbers. Many times you may be the only person around. Lemon Reservoir | Visit Durango, CO | Official Tourism Site Cross-country skiing is a winter sport and, pretty much by definition, will be cold. If nothing else, Im itching to get back to Zia Taqueria, that was one of the best burritos I can remember. There are some local classes available to help you be prepared for such hazards. La Plata Canyon - Durango Trails Resting on the Fort Lewis College Mesa with a beautiful view overlooking the city of Durango is the Hillcrest Golf Course. This road is perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. This trail is rated as easy to moderate. Distances noted are after branching off the groomed ski trail. For current snow conditions on this trail, call 724-455-7303, or view the Pennsylvania Cross-Country Skier's Association webcam. 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. 2023 Durango Trails Inc | Privacy Policy. Sorry. Stay up to date by checking the Trail Conditions report and following us on Facebook or Instagram. 06.29.23 DT sawyers have cleared downed trees and additional overgrowth of aspen saplings. The volunteers are part of the Vallecito Nordic Ski Club which has been grooming and managing trails during the winter for nearly 30 years. Cross Country Skiing In Utah [Maps, Trails, Info] | Visit Utah Reservations are required! 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 . 06.29.23 Junction Creek Road USFS 171 blocked by landslide by Neglected Mine Road. Better yet, this vantage point gave us a great view of a dogleg couloir on Babcock Peak that looked like fun: Next up, we headed towards the aesthetic couloir we had just been looking at. The electric is supplied by solar panel/battery system and a powerful propane generator. 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! Part of the La Plata Canyon trails system. 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. Often you'll find that you have the trail all to yourself in the winter months. Lastly follow the groomed trail back to the museum parking lot. Cross the Mesa Top Road and follow the Cliff Palace Loop road which will eventually loop back to the Mesa Top Road and Cliff Palace Road intersection.
