South Park Winter Trails

Gary E. Nichols
Director

Park County
Office of Tourism &
Community Development

TRAIL KEY

SM = Snowmobile Areas
SD = Sled Dog Areas
SS = Snowshoeing Areas
XC = Cross-Country Skiing Areas

ALMA AREA

Mountain valleys in the Mosquito Range provide terrain (snow permitting) for snowshoeing and ski touring. In addition, snowmobile trails include established roads in this area. Suggested access routes include Buckskin Creek (County Road 8), Mineral Park Road (County Road 787), Mosquito Pass Road (County Road 12), Wheeler Lake Road (Forest Road 188) and the summit of Hoosier Pass. Exercise extreme caution; many of these routes traverse avalanche slopes that remain unstable throughout winter! Portions of the routes described below refer to public roads that cross private land. Please respect private property and ask permission before entering posted or gated areas. Contact the US Forest Service Office in Fairplay (719-836-2031) for current information.

Buckskin Creek (SM, XC, SS): From Colorado Highway 9 in the center of Alma (across from the Trading Post), drive 2.8 miles west on County Road 8 (Buckskin Road) to the Paris Mill. The road is normally plowed throughout the winter to this point. County Road 8 continues 2.7 miles west to Kite Lake, providing easy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter and spring. Snowmobiles should stay on the established road to Kite Lake. Skiers and snowshoers should follow the creek bed beyond the Sweet Home Mine since the road is often blown bare. A number of obvious avalanche paths originate high above the valley between the Paris Mill and Kite Lake, but avalanche hazards are usually avoidable. Telemark skiers may continue north or west beyond of Kite Lake, but it is recommended they stay well away from the steep slopes that surround these alpine basins. Return the same way. Moderate grade to Kite Lake, steep and difficult climbing beyond.

The slopes of Mount Democrat, Mount Buckskin and Loveland Mountain offer spring snow climbing and extreme ski descents above Kite Lake. Use extreme caution, as high avalanche potential can persist here into early summer. Start early to avoid wet snow slides and lightning on spring days. Recommended for experienced mountaineers only during May and June.

Mineral Park Road (XC, SS, SM): Drive 2.8 miles west of Alma on County Road 8 to the Paris Mill. Just beyond the mill take Mineral Park Road (County Road 787) on the right and head 3 miles north to Mineral Park. This forest road winds through stands of Bristlecone pine and Engelmann spruce, with periodic views of the Mosquito Range and South Park. The route is suitable for both skiing and snowmobiling and presents minimal avalanche danger. From Mineral Park, ski mountaineers may climb 2,000 vertical feet up Dolly Varden Gulch toward the summit of Mount Bross. This climb affords a moderate-angle ski descent with minimal avalanche danger and outstanding views. Return the same way. Gentle grade to Mineral Park; moderate-to-difficult climbing beyond.

Mosquito Pass Road (SM, XC, SS) From Alma drive 1.5 south on Colo. Highway 9 to Mosquito Gulch (County Road 12). Drive 5 miles west on this road and park where the County stops plowing (usually the London Mine turnoff). Proceed west on the main road that climbs gently along North Mosquito Creek past the North London Mill. At the old Mosquito Pass stage sign, snowmobiles should stay on the main road (left) that climbs up a long, moderate slope toward the summit of Mosquito Pass. Skiers and snowshoers may head up the gentler valley to the north (right), toward Mount Buckskin. All winter users should void the steep, avalanche-prone slopes in these alpine basins. Return the same way. Easy to the North London Mill, moderate-to-difficult beyond.
Wheeler Lake Road (XC, SS, SM): Drive 2.5 miles north of Alma on Colorado 9 and take County Road 4 northwest to Montgomery Reservoir. Park at the gate near the dam and head west on the road around the north side of the reservoir. Follow the old mining road (FR 408) that climbs west of the reservoir inlet toward Wheeler Lake. The first 2.5 miles of road are moderate for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The last mile of this tour climbs steeply to Wheeler Lake. Avoid traversing or climbing steep slopes in this basin, as deep snow and high avalanche danger persist here throughout winter. The steep chutes around Montgomery Reservoir are also prone to slide after heavy snowfall. Return the same way. Moderate-to-difficult skiing with numerous hazards.

Hoosier Pass Area (XC, SS): From Alma drive 8 miles north on Colorado 9 to the summit of Hoosier Pass. From the summit parking area, ski west along the old mining road that climbs gradually for the first 1/4 mile toward North Star Mountain. Just beyond timberline (west) is a small but potentially lethal avalanche slope that releases across the road nearly every winter. It is recommended that users avoid this slide area by climbing the gentle ridge to the right (north) of the road. Beyond the slide path the road climbs a moderate slope up the southeast side of North Star Mountain. Return the same way. Moderate skiing and snowshoeing.

East of the parking area is a road that climbs gradually toward a microwave communications tower and Hoosier Ridge. From the parking area, cross Colorado 9 and head one mile east to the tower and timberline (easy). The slope just below the microwave tower is excellent for beginning telemark skiers who want to practice their turns. Skiers may continue east up a gentle slope to Hoosier Ridge, but should avoid the steep, north-facing (avalanche prone) slopes that drop into Cornice Creek. Return the same way. Easy to moderate skiing and snowshoeing.

The Bemrose Ski Trail begins on the north side of Hoosier Pass Summit. To avoid backtracking, park a second vehicle at the intersection of Colorado 9 and Summit County Road 670 on the north side of the pass. From the top of Hoosier Pass the trail follows an old water ditch for 2.5 miles to the northeast. The trail then leaves the ditch on the left and descends a series of open glades through the trees to the highway. Easy skiing in the water ditch, moderate beyond. Little or no avalanche hazard along the entire route described above.

COMO AREA

Boreas Pass Road (SM): Drive northwest of Como on County Road 33 to County Road 50. Continue driving (right) on County Road 33 as far as the road is plowed. Park and follow CR 33 to the summit of Boreas Pass. As an alternative, take a left on FR 33.2A that drops about one mile down to Selkirk Campground. Return the same way. These routes are best suited for snowmobiles.

Gold Dust Trail North (XC, SS): Drive northwest of Como on County Road (CR) 33 to CR 50. Follow CR 50 west (left) for 2 miles to the Gold Dust Trailhead. From the trailhead this narrow trail winds through dense timber for about