|
(in our back yard!) Hope you had a good year skiing - we will see you again next year!
Nancy Marion Hesperus - The closest ski area to Mancos, with 80 skiable acres served by eight lifts. A mere nine miles east of Mancos, Hesperus has some tough advanced runs and offers night skiing and some sledding. Easy runs take up 20 percent, intermediate runs take up 55 percent, and difficult runs take up 25% of the mountain. Information: 1-800-525-3455 Other downhill ski areas Telluride (1-800-525-3455 ), Wolf Creek (970-264-5629) and Durango Mountain (Purgatory) (1-800-525-0892) are also within driving distance of Mancos. |
|
|
You can ski above abandoned Anasazi Indian ruins or view the spectacular scenery of the "Switzerland of America". The trails range from the well maintained double track of the Chicken Creek trail, to opportunities to break your own trails into the high country. All the trails are free. Snow conditions can vary yearly and by location; call the San Juan National Forest offices for the most up-to-date information.
(1) Mancos-Chicken Creek Area - Trails are groomed by volunteers with the Mancos Recreation Committee. 5.6 miles of double track and skate lanes plus 5.1 miles of single track in various loops and spurs offer a variety of choices for all levels of skiers. Detailed maps can be obtained at most Mancos stores. The area offers beautiful views of the Mancos Valley, La Plata Mountains and Mesa Verde National Park. These are currently the only groomed trails in the area. Rating: All levels from novice to advanced 3/9/05 -- Brad checked out the trails yesterday and found that the Bauer loop is no longer skiable and there are many areas of frozen slush on the upper loops. So to minimize wear and tear on the equipment we have decided to call it good for this year. You are welcome to ski the upper loops, which can be accessed from the Chicken Creek road closure, as long as the snow remains, but no further grooming will occur. For those of you who don't want to let ski season go just yet, remember that the Telluride Nordic Association maintains trails around Lizard Head pass, usually through the month of March, (www.telluridetrails.org), and there is also a nordic center at Durango Mountain Resort. This is your friendly neighborhood ski area, signing off. Scott (2) Railroad Trail - This ski route follows an historic railroad grade which makes the elevation change very gradual. The trail takes you through an oak brush plateau, aspen groves, and eventually to the Cherry Creek turnoff which is marked with the number 2568. This last mile drops 480 feet, finishing your trek with a quick downhill schuss. Rating: Beginner / Intermediate. Madden Peak Road - This trail has a
steady uphill grade for the first 6 miles; the intermediate turnaround point is
at the 2nd power-line crossing. The road continues; however, this longer
tour has steep grades and is recommended only for advanced and well-conditioned
skiers. (3) Boggy Draw/Norwood Road - Lots of gently rolling terrain on trails along unplowed roads, open fields mixed with woods. A nice area to take the family. Rating: Varying degrees of difficulty. (4) Mesa Verde National Park - Cliff Palace / Balcony House Road is an easy 6 mile loop that offers views of Cliff Palace, Sun Temple, Balcony House and many other Anasazi Indian ruins. Mesa Verde offers skiers unique opportunities to combine archaeological education and ski touring. The setting is a pinion-juniper forest above sandstone-shale canyons with abundant wildlife. Bring your camera for seldom-captured scenes of the park in winter. Skiing in the park is strictly limited. Get permission from the Park Ranger's office 970-529-4461 before you ski. Rating: Beginner. (5)
Taylor Mesa - The
road gradually climbs through a mixture of evergreen, aspen and cottonwood trees
3 1/2 miles to Little Taylor trailhead, on the right. Beginners should
turn back from this point. Intermediate/advanced skiers may continue up
Taylor
Creek. (6) Scotch Creek - The historic toll road was used a century ago to freight supplies to the Rico mining district. The trail stays on the left side of the creek for the entire three mile route, passing through the high canyon walls. Turn around when the road cross the creek. Also investigate Hillside Drive and Roaring Fork Road in the same area highway 145, with many similar features. Rating: Novice/Beginner. (7) The Meadows - This is a continuation of Forest Road 535 into the Meadows area, a sub-alpine meadow on the edge of the Lizard Head Wilderness Area. There is a lot of wide open terrain and deep snow. Side trips can be made up Forest Road 311 which accesses several primitive roads. You can also make this a shuttle trip, leaving one vehicle at Dunton, the other on Highway 145 just north of the Cayton Campground where 535 meets the Highway. The last leg of the trip down 535 is a four mile grade that should give you a good final run. Rating: Moderate. (8)
Cross Mountain Trail - The trail
starts at the Cross Mountain Trail sign, west of the highway. The sign is
not visible from the road. The trail is mostly uphill; watch for a level
clearing which is the turnaround point. Beyond this point, avalanche
danger
increases. |
||
