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.

February 15, 2014 - Echo Lake

Title: February 15, 2014 - Echo Lake

Trail head: Echo Lake Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Snow Shoeing, Cross-Country Skiing

Trail: Echo Lake loop, CO

Distance:  2.03

Start Time: 3:30

End Time:  5:44

Travel Time: 3:14 (0.63 mph)

Moving Time: 1:09 (1.76 mph)

Elevation Rise: 388

Maximum Elevation:  10,727'

Description:
The California group: Gary, Sherri, Andrea, Steven, and Rachel, flew into Denver in the morning and got to my brother David's a little after noon. After a bite of lunch we all took off, except for Rachel, to REI to rent skis for Steven. Then David drove us up to Idaho Springs where we took off on the road to Mt Evans. Going up about eleven miles we came to the Echo Lake turnout.

Unlike California, there was snow on the ground. The loop around the lake was pretty well packed, making for easy snowshoeing and skiing. Andrea, Steven, and David ski'd while Sherri and I tagged along and snowshoe'd. The temperature is in the mid-30's, but when we are not in the trees, there is a wind blowing, chilling us.  But as we move, we warm up.

We wandered around the shore for a ways. Nice easy time. David takes us back always towards the Chicago Creek area-not far that way. The skiers in the group take a few runs while Sherri and I trudge up to where they are then go down. In the packed snow, we do pretty good, but when we go off into the powder, I sink to my knees, even in a big set of snowshoes. But still a lot of fun.

We continue on around the lake to the closed for the season Echo Lake Lodge. We stand around for a few minutes, in the wind, and then decide we have had a good time today so it probably is better to go back. So we make good time going back around the lake to the car.

When we get back, I do about 10 minutes on Steven's skies. Fun. I got the first butt-plant of the group. Get back to Denver and David fixes us fish taco's. We watch the Olympics-I nod off during the commercials. Good first day. But no pictures. All of us forgot our cameras. But in a way, that is good. It is fun just being in the snow for its own, rather than always looking around for a shot.

Place: CO-Echo Lake

Echo Lake (Idaho Springs)
(Long, Lat)

Description:
Nice mountain lake, right beside highway 103.

Trips:

• February 15, 2014 - Echo Lake Cross Country and Snowshoe Trip

Pictures:

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References:

•  Wikipedia
•  Mount Evans
• Denver Mountain Parks
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