DOCSLIB.ORG

Chapter 2. Design Criteria and Applicable Forest Service Direction

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Chapter 2. Design Criteria and Applicable Forest Service Direction 2013 MASTER PLAN JANUARY 2013 Prepared by: R Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. I-1 A. LOCATION .......................................................................................................................................... I-1 B. RESORT SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. I-2 C. BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY ............................................................................................ I-4 1. 1940s and 1950s........................................................................................................................ I-4 2. 1960s ......................................................................................................................................... I-4 3. 1970s ......................................................................................................................................... I-4 4. 1980s ......................................................................................................................................... I-5 5. 1990s ......................................................................................................................................... I-5 6. 2000s ......................................................................................................................................... I-5 D. LOVELAND’S MARKET NICHE ................................................................................................................. I-5 E. ABSTRACT OF THE PROPOSED UPGRADE PLAN .......................................................................................... I-6 1. Valley Projects ........................................................................................................................... I-6 2. Basin Projects ............................................................................................................................ I-6 F. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS MASTER PLAN ........................................................................................ I-7 II. DESIGN CRITERIA & FOREST SERVICE DIRECTION ......................................................................... II-1 A. DAY SKI/REGIONAL DESTINATION RESORTS ............................................................................................. II-1 B. BASE AREA DESIGN ............................................................................................................................ II-1 C. MOUNTAIN DESIGN............................................................................................................................ II-2 1. Trail Design ............................................................................................................................... II-2 2. Lift Design ................................................................................................................................. II-4 3. On-Mountain Guest Services .................................................................................................... II-5 4. Capacity Analysis and Design ................................................................................................... II-5 D. BALANCE OF FACILITIES ....................................................................................................................... II-6 E. APPLICABLE FOREST SERVICE POLICY AND DIRECTION ................................................................................ II-6 1. 1997 Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland ................................................................ II-7 2. Scenery Management and the Built Environment Image Guide ............................................ II-10 III. SITE INVENTORY.......................................................................................................................... III-1 A. TOPOGRAPHY AT LOVELAND ................................................................................................................ III-1 B. SLOPE GRADIENTS AT LOVELAND .......................................................................................................... III-1 C. SOLAR ASPECT AT LOVELAND............................................................................................................... III-2 IV. EXISTING FACILITIES .................................................................................................................... IV-1 A. SUMMARY OF THE EXISTING GUEST EXPERIENCE ..................................................................................... IV-1 B. EXISTING LIFT NETWORK .................................................................................................................... IV-2 1. Lift 1 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-4 2. Lift 2 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-4 3. Lift 3 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-4 4. Lift 4 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-4 5. Lift 5 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-5 6. Lift 6 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-5 7. Lift 7 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-5 8. Lift 8 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-5 9. Lift 9 ......................................................................................................................................... IV-5 10. Carpet ...................................................................................................................................... IV-5 Loveland Ski Area i Loveland Ski Area 11. Platter ...................................................................................................................................... IV-6 C. EXISTING TERRAIN NETWORK .............................................................................................................. IV-6 1. Terrain Variety ......................................................................................................................... IV-6 2. Developed Alpine Trails ........................................................................................................... IV-7 3. Undeveloped and Gladed Expert Terrain ............................................................................... IV-16 4. Terrain Parks .......................................................................................................................... IV-19 D. EXISTING CAPACITY ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................ IV-19 1. Comfortable Carrying Capacity .............................................................................................. IV-19 2. Density Analysis ..................................................................................................................... IV-22 3. Lift and Terrain Network Efficiency ....................................................................................... IV-24 E. EXISTING GUEST SERVICES FACILITIES, FOOD SERVICE SEATING & SPACE USE ANALYSIS ................................ IV-26 1. Guest Services ........................................................................................................................ IV-26 2. Space Use Analysis ................................................................................................................. IV-27 3. Food Service Seating .............................................................................................................. IV-34 F. EXISTING PARKING CAPACITY ............................................................................................................. IV-35 G. SUMMER ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................ IV-36 H. EXISTING RESORT OPERATIONS .......................................................................................................... IV-37 1. Ski Patrol/First Aid ................................................................................................................. IV-37 2. Snowmaking Coverage .......................................................................................................... IV-37 3. Grooming ............................................................................................................................... IV-37 4. Maintenance Facilities ........................................................................................................... IV-38 5. Waste Water Treatment .......................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Colorado History Chronology
    Colorado History Chronology 13,000 B.C. Big game hunters may have occupied area later known as Colorado. Evidence shows that they were here by at least 9200 B.C. A.D. 1 to 1299 A.D. Advent of great Prehistoric Cliff Dwelling Civilization in the Mesa Verde region. 1276 to 1299 A.D. A great drought and/or pressure from nomadic tribes forced the Cliff Dwellers to abandon their Mesa Verde homes. 1500 A.D. Ute Indians inhabit mountain areas of southern Rocky Mountains making these Native Americans the oldest continuous residents of Colorado. 1541 A.D. Coronado, famed Spanish explorer, may have crossed the southeastern corner of present Colorado on his return march to Mexico after vain hunt for the golden Seven Cities of Cibola. 1682 A.D. Explorer La Salle appropriates for France all of the area now known as Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains. 1765 A.D. Juan Maria Rivera leads Spanish expedition into San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains in search of gold and silver. 1776 A.D. Friars Escalante and Dominguez seeking route from Santa Fe to California missions, traverse what is now western Colorado as far north as the White River in Rio Blanco County. 1803 A.D. Through the Louisiana Purchase, signed by President Thomas Jefferson, the United States acquires a vast area which included what is now most of eastern Colorado. While the United States lays claim to this vast territory, Native Americans have resided here for hundreds of years. 1806 A.D. Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike and small party of U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan
    Squaw Valley Real Estate, LLC Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan THE VILLAGE AT SQUAW VALLEY 6/28/2016 This Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan (EPEP) has been prepared for The Village at Squaw Valley Specific Plan (VSVSP) project under the supervision of Placer County and in coordination with Pete Hnat, Chief Executive Officer, Emergency Management Consultants. The focus of the EPEP is primarily on emergency preparedness and evacuation protocols as related to emergency events, such as fire. However, other hazards are addressed as well, including avalanche, seismic and flood protection measures. Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 4 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Project Summary .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.3.1 Location .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.3.2 Project Description ................................................................................................................ 6 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Snowmass Ski Trail Enhancements and High Alpine Lift Replacement Environmental Assessment
    SNOWMASS SKI AREA SNOWMASS SKI TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS AND HIGH ALPINE LIFT REPLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DECEMBER 2014 USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Aspen-Sopris Ranger District The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. SNOWMASS SKI AREA SNOWMASS SKI TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS AND HIGH ALPINE LIFT REPLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO Proposed Action: Responsible Official: Further Information: Snowmass Ski Area Scott Fitzwilliams Scott Kaden, Project Leader Forest Supervisor Aspen-Sopris Ranger District White River National Forest 620 Main Street Location: Glenwood Springs, CO Carbondale, CO 81623 White River National Forest [email protected] Pitkin County, Colorado (970) 963-2266 x3127 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Aspen-Sopris Ranger District White River National Forest Pitkin County, Colorado Abstract: This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze a proposal for Snowmass Ski Area (Snowmass) to replace and realign the High Alpine lift, install snowmaking on Green Cabin and Trestle trails, perform six glading projects across 84 acres of terrain, and develop two new ski trails designed to improve skier circulation across the ski area.
    [Show full text]
  • By Funitel to the Mont Parnes Casino Near Athens Rejuvenated Funicular
    September 2006 No. 170 • 31st Year In Istanbul the underground funicular from the port of Kabatas to the transport hub Taksim was officially opened on June 29 By Funitel to the Mont Parnes Casino near Athens The combination lift Sunnegga-Blauherd in An installation with a host of special features p.2 Zermatt is the first installation in Switzerland Rejuvenated funicular in Mondovì with a 50-50 split of 8-seater gondolas Designer Giugiaro styled the vehicles for the 120-year-old railway p.8 and 6-seater chairs p. 18 Detachable quad chair in Bohemia The Czech Republic’s first CEN-compliant chair lift is in the Giant Mountains p.10 RPD improves operational safety What users say about the new rope position detection system p.17 Magazine for Customers and Employees 2 Doppelmayr/Garaventa-Gruppe Gondola ride to the casino The Mont Parnes Casino Greece currently has nine gaming opera- tel from Doppelmayr, which can still be near Athens is accessed tions. The Mont Parnes Casino Resort in used at wind force 10 (storms of approx. the Mt. Parnitha National Park is the fourth 100 km/h, 60 mph). (The old tram had to by a ropeway: Since largest with an annual revenue of around stop operating at wind speeds of around March, a Doppelmayr EUR 90 million1. The resort includes the 50 km/h, 30 mph). Funitel has provided this actual casino itself, a hotel, bar/café, service. The installation restaurant and meeting rooms. High wind stability The Mont Parnes resort can be reached has a host of special by ropeway; the infrastructure is currently Wind stability is extremely important be- features: e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • June 21, 2017 Purpose: Update the Board Of
    June21,2017 Purpose:UpdatetheBoardofDirectorsontheprocessofhiringamasterplanconsultantforthe downhillskiareaatTahoeDonnerAssociation. Background: Tahoe Donner’s current Downhill Ski Lodge was built by DART in 1970, with subsequent additions and remodels through the last 45 years, attempting to accommodate growingvisitationnumbersandservicelevels.Afewyearsago,theGeneralPlanCommittee’s DownhillSkiAreaSubͲgroupworkedtoprovideacomprehensive2013report,includinganalysis ofthefollowingmetricsoftheDownhillSkiOperations,seeattached; OnAugust6,2016,Aprojectinformationpaper(PIP)wasprovidedtotheBoardofDirectors,and duringthe2016BudgetProcess,a$50KDevelopmentFundbudgetwasidentifiedandapproved bytheBoardofDirectorsforexpenditurein2017.OnNovember10,2016,TheGPCinitiateda TaskForcetoregainthe2013momentum,toidentifyanddetailfurtheropportunitiesatthe DownhillSkiArea.InAprilof2017,theTaskForcereceivedapprovaltoproceedwiththeRFP processtosolicittwoindustryleaderswithexperienceinskiareamasterplanning,seeattached SOQ’s. Discussion: 1. BothconsultantsprovidedfeeproposalsbythedeadlineofJune16th.Afterqualifying bothproposals,bothwerethoroughandwellmatched,bothwithpositivereferences. 2. BothfeeproposalsarewithintheBoardapproved$50KDFbudgetfor2017. 3. Furtherclarificationsandquestionsarecurrentlyunderwaywithbothconsultants,so thatscoringresultsandweightingcanbefinalizedandtallied.Ifacontractcanbe executedinearlyJuly,thedraftreportcouldbeavailableandpresentedatthe SeptemberGPCMeeting,whichwouldreflectnearly80%ofthecontentinfinalreport. 4. Oncefeedbackisprovided,thefinalversionwouldbecompletedwithinsixweeks.
    [Show full text]
  • Nordic and Snowshoe Trails Ski and Ride School
    Granby Ranch Grill Nordic and Snowshoe Trails Ski and Ride School Having fun is what it is all about. Trail Map Trail Vis Granby Ranch’s friendly instructors ta R idge make the learning process easy n i e with terrain that is comfortable for a dg g Vista Ri A C e everyone, no matter what your a s m b o i H n skill level. R T a r b a b i l it R un • Private lessons for kids and adults S ck Draw Expres w y e a e l Qui t i W a • Group lessons for kids and adults N r s a T e n r c u in t y b a a • Multi-week lessons C East Mountain Trail System N Nature’s Way = 4.6 km il er Tra Located slopeside at Base Lodge, The Granby Ranch Grill features Vista Ridge = 2.1 km De Low ingredient driven selections inspired by classic recipes. Reservations Loggers Loop = 2 km R Ski and Ride School and Private Lessons sell out. o ad Sweet Nancy = 1.5 km Please book in advance. recommended. See our website for hours: granbyranch.com Cakewalk Rabbit Run = 2.1 km Cabin Trail =0.6 km L Base Lodge ogge WARNING rs L GRG Happy Hour Live Music During Deer Trail = 1.0 km s T oo Every Wed-Sun ra p Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers Traci’ il Low Road = 0.6 km and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers 3pm-6pm Night Skiing Easy 4 pm– 7 pm Fraser To Granby = 2.8 km and risks of skiing, including: Changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; Intermediate trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski Home Again = 2.0 km Advanced within their own abilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Principal Facts for Gravity Stations in Parts of Grand, Clear Creek, And
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Principal facts for gravity stations in parts of Grand, Clear Creek, and Summit Counties, Colorado by G. Abrams, C. Moss, R. Martin, and M. Brickey Open-File Report 82-950 1982 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards and nomenclature. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction................................................ 1 Data Collection............................................. 1 Elevation Control........................................... 3 Data Reduction.............................................. 3 References.................................................. 4 List of Figures Figure 1 Area Location Map................................ 2 Appendices 1. Kremmling Base Description..................... 5 2. Gravity Station Map ........................... 6 3. Principal Facts................................ 7 4. Complete-Bouguer Listing....................... 8-10 Introduction During September 1980 ninety-seven gravity stations were established in the Williams Fork Area of Colorado (Fig. 1). These data were obtained as part of a U.S. Geological Survey program of mineral resource evaluation of the St. Louis Peak and Williams Fork Wilderness Study Areas. The data supplement those of the Department of Defense files for the areas. This report presents the principal facts for this data, and includes a station location map (Appendix 2). Data Collection The gravity observations were made using two LaCoste-Romberg gravity meters, G-551 and G-24. The gravity data were referenced to the Department of Defense (DOD) base ACIC 0555-3 at Kremmling, Colorado (Appendix 1), which is part of the International Gravity Standardization Net (IGSN) 1971, established by the Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center (1974).
    [Show full text]
  • UPUB CW Julaug 26 4 2009.Pdf (11.07Mb)
    Newsletter of the Water Center of Colorado State University July/August 2009 Volume 26, Issue 4 Co-Sponsored by Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University Extension, Colorado State Forest Service, and Colorado Climate Center Highlights In Every Issue Colorado Floods: A Hydrology Perspective Editorial 2 by Neil S. Grigg 1 by Reagan Waskom Social Impacts of Flood Events: Learning Colorado Climate Center from Hurricane Katrina Colorado’s Weather and Water: Spring 2009 5 by Laurie Schmidt 21 by Nolan Doesken Learning from Colorado Flash Floods: Water Resources Archive Driver Behavior in High-Water Conditions 24 Gilbert Stamm and Teton Dam 8 by Eve Gruntfest, Isabelle Ruin, and Cedar League by Patricia J. Rettig CWCB’s Role in Statewide Flood Hazard Colorado State Forest Service Restoring the Purgatoire River Watershed System Mitigation and Floodplain Management 26 by Shelly Van Landingham and GayLene Rossiter 10 by Tom Browning History Drought, Climate, and Early Warning Colorado’s Gunnison Tunnel Celebrates 100 Years 13 by Roger S. Pulwarty 29 by Denis Reich Internet GIS and Online Disaster Response Faculty Profile 16 by Melinda Laituri and Kris Kodrich 35 Lori Peek Hydroclimatic Variability in the Upper Water Research Awards Colorado River Basin 18 by Margaret A. Matter 36 Calendar Tornadoes in Colorado 37 23 by Robert Glancy 31 CSU Professor Receives NSF Award 32 CWI Announces Funded Student Projects COLORADO WATER is a publication of the Water Center at Colorado State University. The newsletter is devoted to enhancing communication between Colorado water users and managers and faculty at the state’s research universities.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Contributions of Winter Sports in a Changing Climate
    University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Earth Systems Research Center Space (EOS) Winter 2-23-2018 Economic Contributions of Winter Sports in a Changing Climate Hagenstad Consulting, Inc. Elizabeth Burakowski USNH, [email protected] Rebecca Hill Colorado State University - Fort Collins Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/ersc Part of the Climate Commons, Recreation Business Commons, and the Tourism and Travel Commons Recommended Citation Hagenstad, M., E.A. Burakowski, and R. Hill. 2018. Economic Contributions of Winter Sports in a Changing Climate. Protect Our Winters, Boulder, CO, USA. Feb. 23, 2018. This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Earth Systems Research Center by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF WINTER SPORTS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE FEBRUARY 2018 MARCA HAGENSTAD, M.S. ELIZABETH BURAKOWSKI, M.S., PH.D. REBECCA HILL, M.S., PH.D. PHOTO: JOHN FIELDER PREFACE CLIMATE ECONOMICS AND THE GYRO MAN PROTECT OUR WINTERS BOARD MEMBER AUDEN SCHENDLER One night this December, I walked back to my hotel after the annual Powder Awards in Breckenridge. It was one of the driest and warmest starts to the Colorado ski season in memory. Having missed dinner, and being, well, a skier, I had spent four hours drinking Moscow mules and beer, growing increasingly hungry, but taking energy from the community feeling of the event.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Missions Website
    Missions 2019 - 136 • 2019-01: 01/01/19 15:09 Team paged for two overdue skiers in the Berthoud Falls area • 2019-02: 01/03/19 16:21 Team paged code 3 for two overdue hikers that were climbing James Peak • 2019-03: 01/06/19 11:20 Team paged code 3 for a 57 YOM snowshoe’r unresponsive in the Jones Pass area* • 2019-04: 01/09/19 15:14 Team on standby for possible search for two overdue skiers in the Jones Pass area • 2019-05: 01/17/19 16:26 Team paged code 3 for uphaul of injured party involved in auto accident off HWY 103 • 2019-06: 01/18/19 14:49 Team paged code 3 for avalanche with unknown burial in Loveland Ski area • 2019-07: 01/20/19 13:15 Team paged for overdue skier in the Loveland Pass area • 2019-08: 01/20/19 20:48 Team paged for overdue 75YOM hiker in the Lookout Mtn - Beaver Brook Trail area. Jeffco • 2019-09: 01/21/19 07:00 Team paged for recovery near the Lookout Mtn - Beaver Brook Trail area. Jeffco* • 2019-10: 01/27/19 09:40 Team paged search of missing 28YOM in the Turkey Creek-Deer Creek Canyon area. Jeffco* • 2019-11: 01/30/19 09:50 Team paged for assist to Evergreen Fire for a car over the edge off Red Tail Trail. Jeffco • 2019-12: 02/01/19 12:39 Team paged for possible missing skier on Berthoud Pass • 2019-13: 02/23/19 11:54 Team paged code 3 for unresponsive hiker on Fire Tower trail off HWY 103* • 2019-14: 02/24/19 14:51 Team paged for recovery in Mayhem Gulch in Clear Creek Canyon* • 2019-15: 03/04/19 13:50 Assist-RMNP on 3/5/19 for search of missing 70yom in the Glacier Gorge trail area.
    [Show full text]
  • Reunion Keepsake Directory
    COLORADO COLLEGE CLASS OF 1970 KEEPSAKE DIRECTORY EAR REU YY N T IO F I N F OFFICE OF ALUMNI AND FAMILY RELATIONS Colorado College 14 E. Cache La Poudre St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: (719) 389-6775 Email: [email protected] Published October 2020 50TH REUNION DIRECTORY CLASS OF 1970 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 ...... AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL PAGES 98 ...... IN MEMORIAM 99 ...... CLASSMATE REMEMBRANCES 104 ...... DIRECTORY 126 ...... MAIDEN NAME LIST EAR REU YY N T IO F I N F KATHY ADELSHEIM Fifty years ago this week I arrived at CC for the and as program director the for the American biggest adventure of my life. I loved academics Lung Association. We left the corporate world and meeting so many people from so many behind in 1992 when we moved to Santa Fe. places. We started our own business, a video store. I continued to ski, working as a ski patrol in June 1970: graduation, my engagement to Stu Minnesota and New Jersey and loving our own Waugh, his becoming a 2nd lieutenant in the Ski Santa Fe. U.S. Army. September 1970 we were married and moved to Aspen for two wonderful years of In 2000 we got our first RV, a small motor home skiing and working many jobs. Then to Senegal, which we drove more than 120,000 miles with West Africa, for two years of teaching English three trips to Alaska and one to Newfoundland in the Peace Corps. Then to Minnesota and and Labrador. We slept in that RV in 49 states grad school for my Master’s in Education.
    [Show full text]
  • COLORADO CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION VISIT COLORADO! Day & Overnight Hikes on the Continental Divide Trail
    CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DAY & OVERNIGHT HIKES: COLORADO CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION VISIT COLORADO! Day & Overnight Hikes on the Continental Divide Trail THE CENTENNIAL STATE The Colorado Rockies are the quintessential CDT experience! The CDT traverses 800 miles of these majestic and challenging peaks dotted with abandoned homesteads and ghost towns, and crosses the ancestral lands of the Ute, Eastern Shoshone, and Cheyenne peoples. The CDT winds through some of Colorado’s most incredible landscapes: the spectacular alpine tundra of the South San Juan, Weminuche, and La Garita Wildernesses where the CDT remains at or above 11,000 feet for nearly 70 miles; remnants of the late 1800’s ghost town of Hancock that served the Alpine Tunnel; the awe-inspiring Collegiate Peaks near Leadville, the highest incorporated city in America; geologic oddities like The Window, Knife Edge, and Devil’s Thumb; the towering 14,270 foot Grays Peak – the highest point on the CDT; Rocky Mountain National Park with its rugged snow-capped skyline; the remote Never Summer Wilderness; and the broad valleys and numerous glacial lakes and cirques of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. You might also encounter moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, and pika on the CDT in Colorado. In this guide, you’ll find Colorado’s best day and overnight hikes on the CDT, organized south to north. ELEVATION: The average elevation of the CDT in Colorado is 10,978 ft, and all of the hikes listed in this guide begin at elevations above 8,000 ft. Remember to bring plenty of water, sun protection, and extra food, and know that a hike at elevation will likely be more challenging than the same distance hike at sea level.
    [Show full text]