Rewarding locations for all skill sets are available

By Steve Graham

(from the Thirst Colorado archives)

There is an upside to all that white stuff on the ground slowing down your commute. Here are five trips that are each less than two hours from a Front Range city — and you don’t even have to compete with ski traffic on Interstate 70.

These trails should have snow through April at least, but check conditions before heading out. They also vary in difficulty, so mind your skill level and take necessary precautions, including wearing layers, and carrying water, food and emergency supplies.

One hour from Colorado Springs

Just uphill from Colorado Springs, the trees and the snow can get really thick, making you feel further into the backcountry than you really are. Take U.S. Highway 24 up to Divide and turn left on Colorado 67. Just past the entrance to Mueller State Park, turn left onto County Road 62 to reach the Crags Trailhead.

The popular Crags Trail is a 7-mile out-and-back with a steady climb that gains 820 feet. Note that the gate to the main parking area is closed for the season, adding a mile each way. Most of the route is moderately easy, with a more technical climb to the top of the crags.

The crags are high and exposed, so be prepared for more wind and colder temperatures near the top. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.

Two hours from Denver

You can bag a 14er in the winter, and it’s only two hours up U.S. Highway 285. Turn right onto Colorado 9 in Fairplay. About halfway to Frisco, turn left onto McCullough Gulch Road to reach the Quandary Peak Trailhead. You probably don’t want to tackle Interstate 70 on weekends, but Quandary Peak also is accessible from Breckenridge. Turn off the interstate at exit 203.

No matter how you get there, prepare for a difficult hike, especially on windy afternoons. Be ready to climb 3,350 feet in less than four miles, at a really high altitude.

Leashed dogs also are allowed on this route.

One hour from Boulder

The Pawnee Pass Trail to Lake Isabelle is another snowshoe challenge. It’s a difficult but rewarding 11-mile round trip, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Drive up Lefthand Canyon through the town of Ward and park at the Brainard Gateway Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The gate is closed, adding to the mileage.

If you don’t want to trek all the way to Lake Isabelle, a network of other trails offers all levels and distances of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat bike touring. For example, it is two miles each way from the trailhead to Brainard Lake.

The area is popular and packed in the summer. Before June, fees are waived and crowds are lighter.

One hour from Longmont

The Alberta Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is an easy introduction to snowshoeing. You needn’t worry about getting lost or stranded on this trail. It’s pretty heavily trafficked (though it’s often not quite as busy as the trails leading out of Bear Lake).

Take U.S. Highway 36 up the canyon and through Estes Park. Pay to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, and turn onto Bear Lake Road.

Park at the Glacier Gorge Junction trailhead. Hike less than a mile to the frozen or possibly snowed-over Alberta Falls, or extend the journey toward Sprague Lake or Bear Lake.

Pets are not allowed on any trails in the national park. Also, Bear Lake Road remains open, but many other parts of the park are closed for the season or because of wildfire damage.

Two hours from Fort Collins

The Poudre Canyon drive up Colorado 14 is lined with potential snowshoe trails. How far you have to drive up the canyon depends on recent snowfall levels. But snow is almost guaranteed over Cameron Pass and in State Forest State Park. I’ve seen snow in June on the trail up to Lake Agnes.

In fact, spring might be the best time to trek 5.5 miles on the moderate Michigan Ditch Trail to the lake, which can get buggy in the summer. Most of the trail is a gentle incline, with a steep final approach to the lake. Check the forecast for Cameron Pass, as some exposed ridges on the trail can be challenging on windy days.

A $9 vehicle pass is required to enter the state park, and dogs are allowed on leash. There is a campground near the trailhead, but it is closed until summer.