and Lower T-Bar: the first runs encountered on climber’s left as you ascend the ski area (beware of three large fallen trees across the bottom section of Lower T-Bar—either make sure there’s enough snow coverage, or watch for them);
Aspen: the first major left-hand fork beyond Spruce and Lower T-Bar;
Columbine: the main run that leads all the way up to Trail Ridge Road at the head of the valley;
Upper Main Slope: the above-treeline terrain beyond Trail Ridge Road.
Keep in mind that there are other runs that create a network on the mountain. Most of the additional runs are tight, and some are partially overgrown. They are visible on the aerial photo, and I leave it to you to explore them at your leisure.
Looking up the Spruce and Lower T-Bar runs at Hidden Valley
THE APRÈS SKI
The nearest town, Estes Park, is littered with restaurant options. Visit www.estesparkcvb.com/dining.cfm.
When you’re ready for dessert, the caramel apples at Laura’s are divine (129 East Elkhorn Avenue, 866-586-4004, www.laurasfudgeofestes.com).
Trip 6
ROCK CREEK
THE ESSENTIALS
Nearest Town Allenspark
Distance 4 miles
Vertical 2100’
Season January to March
Elevation Range 8700’ to 10,810’
Difficulty Rating Moderate
Skiing Rating
SNOTEL Station Wild Basin (1042)
Forest Zone Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder Ranger District
CAIC Zone Front Range Mountains
USGS Quad Allens Park
Weather COZ035
THE HISTORY
Allenspark and Rock Creek have a long history of skiing that dates back to 1896, when 10 men laid out the town site. One of them, “Big Jim” Scobee, was the first to have skis. He made them himself using wood flooring boards that were 4 inches wide. Other men in town teased him that his skis were “large enough for Paul Bunyan.”
The first ski hill in town dates to 1918. Lars Haugen, who carried the mail from Allenspark to Ward, and Hans Hansen, who worked for Carl Howelsen in Steamboat Springs, built the run, which was called the Haugen Slide. Reportedly, the run was still visible in 1999, though I didn’t find evidence of it in 2008.
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