February 16, 2014 - Butler Gulch

Title: February 16, 2014 - Butler Gulch

Trail head: Henderson Mine

Hike Info:

Type:  Cross-Country Skiing/Snow Shoeing

Trail:   Butler Gulch

Destination:  Butler Gulch

Distance:  4.03 miles*

Start Time: 11:43am

End Time:  2:45pm

 Travel Time: 3:01  (1.34 mph)

Moving Time: 1:59 (2.03 mph)

Elevation Rise: 706'

Maximum Elevation: 10,998'

Steven, Andrea and David

Description:
We were a bit slow in getting up and going. David made waffles for us. Like usual, pretty good. While the others were getting ready, Andrea Steven and I went to get Steven added to the car rental agreement. But we went throughout Lakewood trying to find an open Enterprise place. First two places were closed on Sundays. The third one the GPS suggested was no longer there. So we took off and met the other at Starbucks in Dumont.

From there, we headed off to Henderson Mine, up Highway 40. Weather not bad-sun shining, but a bit windy. There are clouds gathering. But we take off about noon. David, Andrea and Steven on ski's; Sherri, Rachel, and I are on snowshoes. We parked at the lower lot and walk up to the upper lot, about a quarter mile or so. The skiers ski it up. There is now a light snow which falls somewhat periodically-I suspect it may be snow blown off of trees and ridges.

Red Mountain

The snow is packed and we do pretty good. The first bit is along the Jones Pass Road, until it headed up, westward. We take the left road, going southward. This quickly leads us across Clear Creek, where the road stops and the trail starts. We are able to see some of Colorado eye candy to the east of us-Red Mountain shows itself to us. Also you can see that California is not the only state impacted with less water this year.  At this point, we enter this path through the forest. It climbs up amongst the the pines and firs, with the snow still laying in the trees. 

I walk with Rachel and Sherri, at a slower pace than the skiers. We enjoy the air, the snow, the exercise. That is until Rachel's hips start to bother her. She continues on. She has her lunch of almond butter and jam. Feels better, but hip still bothers. So Sherri and her turn around, this is close to two mile along the trail, most of the way along a Meadow, beside the trail.

Sherri and Rachel

I continue on up the trail until I find David, Andrea, and Steven. They have been doing runs down a slope at the end of Butler Gulch. We have our sandwiches and then start back. The skiers enjoy the downhill and I have a good pace going on my snowshoes  We get down it pretty good.

The end of the day is pizza at BeauJo's in Idaho Springs. Then back to Denver. We top off the day by watching the The Life of Pi.

David, Steven, Andrea, and Gary