WINTER HIKES

Favorite Winter Snowshoe Hikes to Enjoy with Family and Friends

By Bette Erickson

When it comes to winter hiking, it’s never better than on snowshoes. Be ever-mindful, however, to snowshoe on a good, solid snowpack. Several years ago, I broke my foot when the webbing on my snowshoe caught on a tree root spiking up through shallow snow. Suffice it to say I like to think I’m much more careful when out snowshoeing these days.

Following are a couple of my favorite snowshoe destinations.

Marshall Mesa

A serene and scenic valley showcase I liked to hike with locals when I first moved to Boulder is nearby Marshall Mesa. Home to the first coal mining activity between 1860 and continuing through the 1930s, the town site that was once called Marshall provided coal for heating, railroads, and steam engines. At one time, Marshall had 900 residents and boasted three saloons. Several spots along the trail system offer historical markers with information regarding the settlement. Given a good snowstorm, the Marshall Mesa landscape is a near-ideal place to snowshoe. To begin the outing, start from the Marshall Mesa Trailhead, following the Marshall Valley Trail east (left) for just less than a mile as it leads you to Community Ditch, crisscrossing another lower irrigation ditch on the way. Next turn west (right) and follow the Community Ditch footpath almost all the way to Broadway. Saunter your way along the vast expanse, enjoying the views of the towering Front Range to the west. Eventually, where the route takes a sharp right, you’ll be set to follow the footpath back to the trailhead, completing about a 3-mile loop.

To the trailhead: The trailhead is located at 5258 E. Eldorado Springs Drive, just east of the intersection of Hwy 93 and Marshall Rd. You can get to it by following Marshall Rd west past Costco in Superior.

Distance: 2.79-mile loop

Difficulty: Moderate effort on snowshoes

Elevation gain: Rolling hills

Dogs: Yes, on leash

Information: 303-441-3440

RMNP Emerald Lake

If you’re looking for the quintessential snowshoe outing, the route to Rocky Mountain National Park`s Emerald Lake, past three other now frozen lakes, will delight as it travels through snowy, hushed, and forested terrain. Take the trail into the woodlands to your south and west of Bear Lake to tiny Nymph Lake at a half-mile into the forest. Continue 0.6 mile to Dream Lake, eventually following the trail to Emerald Lake as the route gently climbs to the large lake. Look for the boxy distinctive profile of Hallett Peak dominating the skyline. After snapping some Insta-worthy pictures and perhaps enjoying a snack, return carefully the way you came. To the trailhead: Take U.S. 36 north out of Boulder through Lyons to Estes Park. Drive west from Estes Park to the RMNP Beaver Meadows entrance station. Follow Bear Lake Road to where it dead ends at the parking lot. Fee: $30 for a day park pass, or $35 for a seven-day pass.

Distance: 3.6 miles round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate effort on snowshoes

Elevation gain: 605 feet

Dogs: No

Information: 970-586-1206

Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.