We went x country skiing today. Grand Mesa Nordic Council has three areas of groomed x country trails (gmnc.org). It was 60 degrees in Grand Junction when we returned from skiing but 20-30 degrees at Grand Mesa. Where we were skiing was at 10,000 feet. Grand Jct is 4500. The Grand Mesa beyond the Powderhorn downhill area is amazing. We were on groomed trails today but you can ski forever in the National Forest. The woods are very open and you can ski anywhere. There is even a warming hut with a wood stove!
We ran into someone who is part of gmnc. She said Ward is a good area for a combination of groomed trails and back country. Today we were at Skyway and skied over to County Line which is another trailhead. She said the season gets going in Nov, gets good Dec - Mar and some in early April. The road is always plowed but may close occasionally for avalanche work. In the summer she said go to Crags Crest Trailhead. Very nice 10 mile loop. She said summer is hot in Grand Jct and in July and Aug you have to get out early. Powderhorn downhill area doesn't look very exciting but may be worth checking out some day.
Today was mostly sunny and spectacular. They do a great job grooming and there are a lot of trails. We went 8 miles and went on maybe 30% of the trails at Skyway and County Line. As I mentioned earlier endless skiing in the woods. Pretty amazing driving one hour and going from warm and no snow to winter!
Driving up there:
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