|
|
THE VIRTUAL DILLON RANGER DISTRICT SNOWMOBILING ROGs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE VIRTUAL DILLON RANGER DISTRICT SNOWMOBILING ROGs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 SNOWMOBILERS: 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 riders must yield to up-slope riders. Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking another snowmobiler. 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 riding 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 SNOWMOBILING 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. RETURN TO MAIN WINTER RECREATION PAGE RETURN TO MAIN RECREATION PAGE
EASY TRAILS 1. BOREAS PASS ROAD CR 10 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,306 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,489 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,489 feet. The elevation gain is +1,183 feet. A large portion of this trail passes above timberline. For this reason be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip. Wind has a tendency to cause big snow drifts on this trail, especially at the summit. At the start of the tour you immediately have spectacular views of the Blue River Valley and the majestic Ten Mile Range. The tour travels .4 miles before reaching Rocky Point where the entire Ten Mile Range is visible. The road continues past Baker's Tank to the summit of Boreas Pass, on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 11, 489 feet. From 1872 to 1938 the road was used as a narrow-gauge railroad and gained fame as the nation's highest narrow-gauge railroad, running from Como to Breckenridge. The road follows the old South Park and Pacific Railroad bed, climbing on a gradual 3% grade. The trail difficulty is rated EASY. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. For a Summit Historical Society Pamphlet on Boreas Pass, please click HERE.
2. MINERS CREEK ROAD FSR 1000 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 9,134 feet and ends at an elevation of 9,918 feet, with a highest elevation of 9,988 feet. The elevation gain is +784 feet. Follow the road up and across the bike path. Your first attraction will be Rainbow Lake, which is on the right-hand side. Toward the end of the road you will notice the Peaks Trail - THE PEAKS TRAIL IS FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING ONLY! The trail difficulty is rated EASY. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. 3. VAIL PASS WINTER RECREATION AREA - THIS IS A FEE DEMO AREA! THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! There are many trails available for use. You can expect to encounter other snowmobiles and other snow equipment, especially on weekends. These trails in particular are used by sno-cats, so expect packed conditions for all or part of the trail length. A list of the trails in the Dillon Ranger District is: TRAIL NAME LENGTH TRAIL USE DIFFICULTY A: Shrine Pass Road 2.61 miles Heavy Easy to Moderate B. Shrine Pass Bowl 2.83 miles Heavy Moderate C. Wilder Gulch 3.59 miles Heavy Moderate D. Ptarmigan 4.35 miles Low More Difficult The trail difficulties are rated EASY to MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. To view the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area Map & Text, click HERE. USE ZOOM TOOL IN ADOBE READER TO ENLARGE MAP & TEXT
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN WINTER RECREATION PAGE MODERATE TRAILS 4. DEER CREEK ROAD FSR 5 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,570 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,342 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,342. The elevation gain is +1,773 feet. Private land exists near the beginning of this route. Please respect all private property. A large portion of this trail travels above timberline. For this reason, be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip. Also, be aware of avalanche danger in terrain above timberline. A loop can be made, which is shown on the reverse side 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 Webster Pass Road and back to Montezuma. Montezuma was discovered by miners and settled during the silver boom in 1863. The trail difficulties are rated MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. 5. SPRING CREEK WINTER RECREATION RECREATION AREA - ALL OF THESE TRAILS BORDER THE EAGLES NEST WILDERNESS AREA. NO SNOWMOBILING IS ALLOWED IN THE WILDERNESS AREA. THESE TRAILS ARE USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! There are many trails available for use. Trail elevations and elevation gain depends on which trail you are using. The Spring Creek area offers miles of snow covered roads through beautiful spruce and fir forests. Open meadows allow a chance to ride in the open, but watch out for stumps! The Spring Creek area is one of the least used snowmobiling areas in the Dillon Ranger District and it offers some of the finest terrain to ride in. The trail difficulties are rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. 6. SWAN VALLEY WINTER RECREATION AREA - THESE TRAILS ARE USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! There are many trails available for use. Trail elevations and elevation gain depends on which trail you are using. From the North Fork of the Swan you can ride to the top of Wise Mountain, elevation 12,052 feet. From the Middle Fork of the Swan snowmobilers can travel to the top of the Continental Divide, elevation 12,264 feet, near Sheep Mountain. From the South Fork of the Swan snowmobile riders can travel to the top of the Continental Divide and Georgia Pass, elevation 11,585 feet. A large portion of this area is above timberline. For this reason, be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip. Private snowmobile guides also run their tours in this area. Some of their trails may be groomed. Although this area is open to the public, as well as the permitted guide services, please be considerate of the guides' trail work and their tours. A list of the trails in the Dillon Ranger District is: TRAIL NAME LENGTH TRAIL USE DIFFICULTY A: North Fork 3.68 miles Moderate Moderate B. Wise Mountain 1.48 miles Moderate Moderate C. Middle Fork 7.73 miles Moderate Moderate D. South Fork 6.23 miles Moderate Moderate The trail difficulties are rated MODERATE. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN WINTER RECREATION PAGE MORE DIFFICULT TRAILS 7. WEBSTER PASS ROAD FSR 285 - THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING! PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS! The trail begins at an elevation of 10,950 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 large portion of this trail above timberline. For this reason, be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip. Be aware of possible vehicle traffic on this road, please share the road. A loop can be made, which is shown on the reverse side of the ROG sheet. This loop is rated "MOST 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 to Montezuma. Montezuma was discovered by miners and settled during the silver boom in 1863. Webster Pass was opened in 1878. The town hit its peak in 1880 when the population reached 800. The trail difficulty is rated MORE DIFFICULT. For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN WINTER RECREATION PAGE
|
