February 20, 2014 - Old Squaw Pass Road

Title: February 20, 2014 - Old Squaw Pass Road

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type: Snow Shoeing

Trail: Old Squaw Pass Road

Destination:

Actual Destination:

Distance:  0.96 miles

Start Time: 9:59

End Time:  10:44

Travel Time: 0:56 (1.03 mph)

Moving Time: 0:32 (1.80  mph)

Elevation Rise: 270'

Maximum Elevation: 10,464'

Description:
It has gotten cold. At least by California wimpy standards. Where I thought we might be going today, maybe Peru Gulch,  around Breckenridge is 9 degrees, plus a wind chill. So the discussion is how to accommodate us. We decided to go up towards Evergreen area and see what we can find, rather than make a long drive and not leave the car.

David and Gary

Cold Californian's

Well, we got to Elk Meadow Preserve and there was cold,there was wind, but no snow. So David drives on and up. That up would be towards Mt Evans. So up we go. This is the same road as we went on Saturday up to Echo Lake. But instead of coming from Idaho Springs, we come from the Evergreen side. 

Now we not only get cold and wind, but we have snow. David finds the trail-head for the Old Squaw Pass Trail. It is around 10 degrees, and there is the wind chill which goes along with the 20-30 mph wind.  It looked like it was an old access road, as it followed a power line. We did pretty good. But after about 30 minutes, and a half of a mile, we decided that we were a bit cold. So we turned around. We were mostly in trees, just enjoying the time. But we did hear reports that further on there were great views of the Arapahoe Basin.

We returned to the car the same way we came up, only in about 20 minutes time. We drove on, past Echo Lake. The snow was swirling around, creating ghost spirit dancing along the road.fun being the passenger and David driving. As we descended, the temperature warmed up-both outside and in David's Subaru. We welcome the warmer inside. In Idaho Springs, we decide to get a bite to eat at Tommyknockers-a bar and grill. Good food, but service is slow. But we are not in much of a rush. Then to top off a relaxing day, it is off to the movies-Hunger Games: Catching Fire.