Steamboat snowshoeing adventures under the moonlight
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Looking for a weekend away from lift lines and crowds?
A snowshoe adventure is the answer.
Although it’s not the flashiest snow sport, a simple pair of snowshoes can launch any hiker into a winter wonderland of snow-laden aspen groves, meadows and trails running along frozen creeks.
Whether it’s a walk at Steamboat Lake State Park or a run on Rabbit Ears Pass, snowshoeing is an activity for all ages and fitness levels that’s considered low-impact cardiovascular and endurance training.
Walk to the sides and stay off groomed Nordic trails used for cross country skiing.
This holiday season, get outdoors to explore somewhere new with one of Yampatika’s snowshoe adventures.
The local nonprofit, which is dedicated to educating visitors and residents of Northwest Colorado, also offers a variety of other programming that includes the Ski With a Naturalist program at Steamboat Resort on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They also offer a Hire a Naturalist program, a customized snowshoe experience set at $60 for the first four people.
FRIDAY, DEC. 21
Uranium Mine Snowshoe Tour
Winter Solstice Moonlight Snowshoe Adventure
3:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Rabbit Ears Pass | Cost: $30
This adventurous snowshoe tour will take place on Rabbit Ears Pass. The group will leave during daylight and return by the light of the moon. This program is geared toward people who have experience and are comfortable traveling on snowshoes at night in the dark.
SATURDAY, DEC. 22
Emerald Mountain Snowshoe Tour
10 a.m. to noon | Howelsen Hill – Blackmer Trailhead
Moonlight Snowshoe Tour
4:40 to 6:30 p.m. | Emerald Mountain – Blackmer Trailhead | Cost: $20
Join a Yampatika naturalist for a moonlight snowshoe tour. The group will start as the sun is setting. If the sky will be clear, the full moon can be seen from the meadow before heading back down the trail illuminated by the light of the moon.
MONDAY, DEC. 24
Snowshoe Adventure
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Rabbit Ears Pass
This moderately strenuous snowshoe tour will take place on Rabbit Ears Pass. Explore the winter wonderland with a naturalist looking for animal tracks and learning about what animals do during the winter.
FRIDAY, DEC. 28 and SATURDAY, DEC. 29
Snowshoe Adventure
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Rabbit Ears Pass
This moderately strenuous snowshoe tour will take place on Rabbit Ears Pass. Explore the winter wonderland with a naturalist looking for animal tracks and learning about what animals do during the winter.
MONDAY, DEC. 31
New Year’s Eve Snowshoe Adventure in North Routt
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Meet at the U.S. Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Drive
This moderately strenuous snowshoe tour will take place in North Routt. The trail will be selected closer to the program date to choose the best area for snow conditions.
TUESDAY, JAN. 1
New Year’s Day Animal Tracking on Snowshoes
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Meet at the U.S. Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Drive
This moderate snowshoe tour will focus on animal tracking, so be ready to do a little off-trail adventuring. Trail to be selected closer to this date.
To learn more and register online visit yampatika.org.
To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1.
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