Dillon area snowshoeing

[Eph 2 5]

I'm going to be in Dillon sometime in the next few weeks and was wondering what would be a good place to snowshoe. I'm really looking for 2 options : 1 for an easy snowshoe of only a couple of miles or so (but still with decent views) and another more challenging (but non-technical) snowshoe/hike which would, hopefully, get me above treeline or at least have really nice views of the higher peaks (up to 10 miles or so RT). The top priority is to have basically no avalanche danger. I've done almost no research into this yet, but was thinking of lower altitude areas of the Gore's, the west side of Grays and Torreys (Peru Creek ?), Loveland Pass, or the Breckenridge area. I'm open to any suggestions, though. I've done several hikes in the Breckenridge area, but haven't hiked in the other areas I listed. Thanks for your help.

[davebobk47]

Some of my favorites in the Frisco/Dillion area:
Mt Royal: 4mi RT 1400ft gain, excellent views of Grays, Torreys, Quandary, and many other montains.
Sapphire Pt Loop: 1 mi Rt (yes only 1 mile), 0ft of gain, great views of Tenmile range
Mt Sniktau from Loveland Pass: I think its about 4 mi RT and around 1500ft of gain. Decent views, gets you over 13K
also from Loveland you could do Cupid and/or Grizzly.

I'd consider all of those fairly avy safe

[Eph 2 5]

Thanks for the info. Could you tell me where the Mt Royal and Sapphire Loop trailheads are? They both sound good. Thanks.

[randalmartin]

As far as easier snowshoe trips you may want to check the Breckenridge Nordic Center and Frisco Nordic Center. At the Breckenridge Nordic Center you pay $17 to access groomed trails and they have a wide range of difficulty. Here is a link http://www.breckenridgenordic.com/maps1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; that has maps to both areas.

[cwm]

The golf course at the north end of Silverthorne usually has cross country and snow shoeing trails and there is also no fee.

Off Swan Mountain Road head towards the lake on the road down to the Prospector campground. Good views across the lake of the Eagle's Nest area.

The Keystone Nordic Center at the River Golf Course has snow shoe trails but there is a fee.

I don't think Sniktau, Cupid or Grizzly would be be very easy on show shoes.

[scott goldberg]

here's another link of some trails in the area...

http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/win ... l_list.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[davebobk47]

Thanks for the info. Could you tell me where the Mt Royal and Sapphire Loop trailheads are? They both sound good. Thanks.

The Sapphire Pt TH is off of Swan Mtn Road, there are plenty of signs and a parking lot there.

Here is the summitpost page for Mt Royal: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... royal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree that Grizzly may be a bit difficult but if you are in decent shape Sniktau or Cupid should be no problem.