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The Tennessee Pass area always has snow and a number of trails and roads drivable during the summer can be used for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing during the winter. One favorite activity is to drive to the top of Tennessee Pass and ski down the Colorado Trail for 2.5 miles and back to US 24 on FSR100 to Crane Park Trailhead, reference the “West Tennessee Creek” map, trail notation (a). Leave a car or two in the parking area at Crane Park Trailhead. How to get there: Drive the group to the top of Tennessee Pass to the large parking area on the west side of US 24, reference parking area (P)4 on the map. There are decent restrooms located next to the parking area. If you want to make it a longer trip after you have descended to the Colorado Trail you can ski up to Lily Lake or beyond. Also, you can ski past the car camping area (campsite 2) mentioned earlier in this chapter or even up the Colorado Trail to Longs Gulch. Longs Gulch is considered intermediate to advanced due to steepness. These areas are recommended for a Scout's second or third cross-country ski adventure. At least a half day’s practice is needed with some basic lessons on snowplowing and how to get up with your skis before such trips are made. A suggestion is to practice on the groomed trails at the Leadville campus of Colorado Mountain College before you try the backcountry trails. Other cross-country ski trips starting at the top of Tennessee pass: Head northwest from the parking area (P)4 on the Powder Horn Loop trail, noted as trail (b) on the “West Tennessee Creek” map; in .5 mile it will intersect with the Old Railroad Run Loop, noted as trail (c) on the map. You can take the loop to the right which makes a longer (5-6 miles) trip or you can turn left, noted as trail (d) on the map, and take the trail uphill for .5 miles, when you get to the top take the Tree Line Loop, noted as trail (e) along a ridge, it takes you back to your vehicles.
Created on: 2024-09-07 22:03:46