SNOWSHOE AND CROSS-COUNTRY TRAILS
Exploring Colorado's great outdoors on snowshoes or cross-country skis are activities that quickly can turn into a passion. We’ve detailed a few trails throughout the state to get you started.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Boulder Ranger District, Boulder)
Note: No camping is allowed in this recreation area.
Trail name: Brainard Lake Road
Trail length (one-way): 2.2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: TraCMC Trail (No snowshoeing allowed)
Trail length (one-way): 2.5 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: Lefthand Park Reservoir Road
Trail length (one-way): 2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location for Brainard Lake Road, TraCMC Trail and Lefthand Park Reservoir Road: Take Highway 72 to just north of Ward. Turn west on Brainard Lake Road. Drive 2.8 miles to the winter gate closure. Be conscious of "No Parking" signs posted along the south side of the road; parking is allowed along other sections of the road.
Cameron Pass Area (Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Fort Collins)
Trail name: Blue Lake
Trail length (one-way): 5 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: Park at the Blue Lake Trailhead along Colorado Highway 14, just northwest of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail starts from the west corner of the parking lot near the informational kiosk.
Trail name: Laramie River Road
Trail length (one-way): 20 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: Parking is located at the trail’s intersection with Colorado Highway 14. Pull off the road as far as possible without damaging plant life. Trail sharing with snowmobilers may be required. The route begins with a climb for the first few miles, and then drops into Laramie River Valley.
Trail name: Michigan Ditch
Trail length (one-way): 4 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: To access the trail, park at Cameron Pass and cross Colorado Highway 14.
Guanella Pass Area (Clear Creek Ranger District, Idaho Springs)
Trail name: Waldorf Road
Trail length (one-way): 4 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: From I-70, take exit 228 to Georgetown and follow the signs to Guanella Pass Road. Drive up Guanella Pass for about 2.5 miles. Look for a brown sign on a sharp left switchback that reads, “Waldorf.” This road is also called Leavenworth or Argentine Pass. Park along the side of the road, well out of the way of traffic.
Trail name: Mount Evans Road
Trail length (one-way): 3 miles to Mount Goliath
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: Squaw Pass Road
Trail length (one-way): 2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location for both Mount Evans Road and Squaw Pass: Take exit 240 off I-70 and head south on Highway 103. After traveling 14 miles you will arrive at Echo Lake and the trailhead. There is ample parking at the lake.
Visit Colorado Department of Transportation’s website, COTRIP.org, for the latest Colorado road and weather information.
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