The Los Alamos Mountaineers are heading to Monarch Pass, on the continental divide in Colorado, for a weekend of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing Courtesy photoMOUNTAINEER News:
Winter has set in with full force in southern Colorado, opening the way for snow adventures of many kinds.
Over the upcoming MLK weekend, the Los Alamos Mountaineers will head north to take advantage of the snow, now five feet deep at Monarch Pass. They will make their base in the small town of Salida, and spend their days doing winter sports in the Monarch Pass area.
Most Pajarito season passes offer three free days at Monarch ski are, and daily tickets are otherwise relatively inexpensive. Monarch is a high Continental Divide ski area with wonderful views, and offers downhill skiing of the old-fashioned kind, without the glitz and expense one finds farther north in Colorado.
For backcountry enthusiasts, the Monarch Pass area offers several snowshoe and/or cross-country options; a classic is the old Monarch Pass trail. Salida is an historic town with fine restaurants and galleries, and even hiking options along the Arkansas River on a warm winter day.
The Mountaineers will travel to Salida on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 12, spend the next three days playing on the snow, and return Monday, Jan. 16, perhaps squeezing in a morning outing along the river before driving home. Carpooling is most likely available. Persons interested in joining this Mountaineer trip should contact Bill Priedhorsky at bill@priedhorsky.net.
The Los Alamos Mountaineers offer outdoor adventures for all abilities. Overnight trips like this one require club membership; it is straightforward to join the club by paying the nominal annual dues. The only other costs for the trip are lodging and ski passes.
