Winter 2011

January 1 thru March 2011

We spent most of our time at Gaskil Barn area in Grand Lake, learning to cross country ski.  One of the biggest problem was the snow. Too much snow if you can believe it.  Record season in the Grand Lake and Rocky Mtn National Park area.  I would say we never saw the top of our skis until early March.  It was truly amazing.  There was one weekend that was great, the others were a battle with the snow and weather.  Temperatures were extremely cold this winter.  This area had several days of temperatures below 40degrees  That is not including wind chill factors. The Colorado River Trail head area had snow that was taller than my pick up truck.  i would say about 6'2" high.  Snow on the restrooms roof had at least 4" or more on top.  Incredible to see.  What is really crazy is that down in the Denver front range area there was  drought from lack of snow. Amazing.  On Berthoud Pass the snow gauge showed almost 7 feet of snow.

We were skiing in the valley with about 3" to 4" of snow underneath us.  We skied across the Colorado River. The fences in the are were buried as we skied over them.  The conditions now are very icy.  It will be very interesting with the run off once the weather warms up this spring.