Virtual Dillon Ranger District - Welcome to the Virtual Dillon Ranger District located in Summit County, Colorado

	THE VIRTUAL DILLON RANGER DISTRICT MODERATE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING ROGs CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING TRAILS
THIS WEB SITE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE USDA FOREST SERVICE

Before venturing out into the forest and backcountry be sure that you are familiar with current weather conditions and forest regulations. Each visitor should study the information on the trailhead bulletin board and/or go into the Forest Service office at 680 Blue River Parkway in Silverthorne to obtain the latest copy of the RECREATION OPPORTUNITY GUIDE (ROG) before heading out on any particular trail.

FOR CURRENT AVALANCHE CONDITIONS CLICK ON THE AVALANCHE ROSE

FOR THE WINTER RECREATION SURVIVAL GUIDE CLICK BELOW

TIPS FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS AND SNOWSHOERS:

Always wear warm clothes and dress in layers. It is advisable when entering the backcountry to be prepared for avalanche conditions by carrying an avalanche beacon, probing poles, warm clothing, plenty of food and water and a cell phone if you need to call for help. Down-slope skiers must yield to up-slope skiers. Likewise, snowshoers must yield to cross-country skiers. Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking another skier or snowshoer. Always control speed because unexpected obstacles may appear suddenly. Avoid damaging fragile alpine environment by traveling on marked trails only. Always treat the land with care and respect by observing the principals of "Leave No Trace". CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON LEAVE NO TRACE. Always be prepared for sudden afternoon snowstorms with adequate backcountry gear. Be careful not to accidentally leave any litter along the way; including cigarette butts. Always be careful with fire - a camp stove is the preferred method for cooking or heating in the backcountry.

If you plan on backpacking into the backcountry and set up a campsite you should check out our pages that have all the BACKPACKING and DISPERSED CAMPING regulations.

If you see a particular CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING or SNOWSHOEING trail that interests you, click on the trail name and you will be taken the ROG sheet for that trail. The trail links contain the same Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) sheets that you can get at the Dillon Ranger District office. The front side of the ROG sheet contains route information such as: route difficulty, length, directions on how to get to the trailhead, interesting information on the route and any important information that route users might need to know. The back side of the ROG sheet contains a custom topographic map highlighting the route along with an elevation profile.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN WINTER RECREATION PAGE

TO VIEW THE ROG SHEETS FOR MODERATE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING TRAILS:

1. SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE TO SEE A TRAIL DESCRIPTION FIRST

2. GO STRAIGHT TO THE ROG SHEET BY CLICKING ON THE ROG NUMBER ABOVE

MODERATE TRAILS

17. GOLD HILL FDT 79 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 9,205 feet and ends at an elevation of 10,030 feet, with a highest elevation of 10,292 feet. The elevation gain is +827 feet. The trail passes through a series of clear-cuts that were cut in 1988. The thick lodgepole pine in the area average 70 to 100 years in age. These trees, because of their density and age, are especially susceptible to disease and fire. Small clear-cut areas are designed to minimize the danger to the overall forest by creating age differences and open glades. The trail passes through an interesting evergreen forest as it climbs over Gold Hill providing views of the Blue River Valley eastward and the rugged Ten Mile Range to the west. People are encouraged to watch this area as a new healthy ecosystem reclaims the spots where the clear-cut areas are. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

18. HUNKIDORI MINE ROAD FSR 276 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,302 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,022 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,022 feet. The elevation gain is +720 feet. Along the way you will enter a stand of red bark spruce. This species of Englemann spruce are over 200 years old. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

19. MOUNT BALDY CR 528 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,605 feet and ends at an elevation of 13,666 feet, with a highest elevation of 13,666 feet. The elevation gain is +3,061 feet. The trail passes through several private property areas, please be respectful of the private property owners. Travel east through the lodgepole pine forest. As the trail gradually rises you will enter stands of Englemann spruce and sub-alpine fir. An old mining building on your left marks the end of the easy 1.8 mile portion of the trail. Above this point the slope becomes steeper making an excellent area for practicing telemark turns. Spectacular views of Mt. Guyot and the Front Range can be seen from the ridge 1,000 feet above the lower mine building. A high avalanche danger may exist because a large portion of this trail travels above timberline. Wind has a tendency to cause large snow drifts on this trail, especially at the summit. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

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20. NORTH TENMILE FDT 37 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 9,209 feet and ends at an elevation of 9,433 feet, with a highest elevation of 9,614 feet. The elevation gain is +224 feet. Don't let the initial steep grade discourage you. After the first mile, the trail levels out and stays close to the creek. For the next 2 miles you will be traveling past beaver ponds, before you reach an open slope to the north. The Gore Range Trail (FDT 60) crosses just past this open slope. Skiing past this junction will provide views of the snowcapped peaks of the Gore Range. The return trip will go very fast, especially the last mile so be careful. The trail and valley floor are intersected by potentially dangerous avalanche paths. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

21. PEAKS FDT 45 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 9,123 feet and ends at an elevation of 10,039 feet when beginning from Frisco, with a highest elevation of 10,238 feet. The elevation gain is +720 feet. This trail may be accessed either from near Main Street on the west side of Frisco or the Peak 8 area in Breckenridge. On the Breckenridge end most of the lodgepole pine are the same age. You will travel through some small clearings with were harvested in recent years. These trees were cut to increase the wildlife habitat, improve the forest health by creating age and species diversity and cross-country and snowshoeing access. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

22. SHRINE PASS ROAD FSR 16 - THIS IS A FEE DEMO AREA!! THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWSHOEING AND SNOWMOBILING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,611 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,105 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,171 feet. The elevation gain is +494 feet. You can travel up Shrine Pass Road from the Vail Pass Rest Area to the ridge top where you can take in beautiful panoramas of the Tenmile Range, Gore Range, and toward Copper Mountain Ski Area, Jacque Ridge. This trail is very popular due to its spectacular scenery. You can expect to encounter snowmobiles and other snow equipment, especially on weekends. This trail is used by sno-cats, so expect packed conditions for all or part of the trail length. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

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23. WEBSTER PASS ROAD FSR 285 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWSHOEING AND SNOWMOBILING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,590 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,083 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,098 feet. The elevation gain is +1,493 feet. A high avalanche danger may exist because a large portion of this trail travels above timberline. Be aware of possible vehicle traffic on this road, please share the road. A loop can be made on the trail, which is shown on the back of the ROG sheet. This loop is rated "MORE DIFFICULT". Route spotting is recommended in some places. The loop can be made by Radical Hill to Deer Creek Road or over Glacier Ridge to Saints John and back through Montezuma. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet.

24. WILDER GULCH FDT 75 - THIS IS A FEE DEMO AREA!! THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWSHOEING AND SNOWMOBILING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,539 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,769 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,769 feet. The elevation gain is +1,230 feet. Leave the Vail Pass Rest Area parking lot to the south. Upon reaching the trail, travel southwest up the valley away from the interstate. The trail climbs continuously as it parallels the stream where numerous beaver ponds are found. After approximately 2.5 miles the trail swings toward the left and then winds up to Ptarmigan Pass at the head of the valley. Ptarmigan Pass offers a fantastic view of the Sawatch Range and the west side of the Gore Range. You can expect to encounter snowmobiles and other snow equipment, especially on weekends. This trail is used by sno-cats, so expect packed conditions for all or part of the trail length. The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map of the trail please see the ROG sheet. Photos of this trail may be viewed by clicking HERE.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING TRAILS