Crag Crest Trail in Grand Junction, Colorado

by Visit Grand Junction

source: http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/crag-crest-trail-grand-junction-colorado

The Crag’s Crest trail in Grand Mesa is one of the area’s most dramatic trails.

 The spectacular Crag Crest Trail is literally atop the spine of Colorado’s Grand Mesa near Grand Junction. The Mesa, as locals call it, is a scenic beauty, a recreational paradise and a natural wonder.

At 350,000 acres, it is thought to be the world’s largest flat-topped mountain. The lowest point of the Mesa’s surface is at roughly 10,000 feet, with occasional pinnacles, spires and ridges soaring hundreds of feet higher. Dimpled with some 300 lakes, graced with deep forests of Colorado pine, spruce, fir and aspen and laced with trails, it is equally alluring to anglers, hikers and mountain bikers.

Just one paved road, Colorado Highway 65 (the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway) crosses the Mesa between the eponymous hamlet of Mesa on the north and somewhat larger Cedaredge on the south. The Crag Crest Trail (FS Trail 711) near the southern end of the highway is a 10-mile loop, designated as a National Recreation Trail.

“Looking down to the south over one of the many lakes below the Crag Crest Trail.”

You can hike the entire loop from trailheads at either end, the upper or lower section as an out-and-back hike, or just the 6.6-mile upper or 3.4-mile lower section one-way with a vehicle shuttle. The upper section is for foot and equestrian traffic only. Mountain bikes are permitted on the lower portion, but in truth, few people ride there.

The west trailhead is near mile marker 27. The east trailhead is at the Crag Crest Campground, off FS Road 121 (Trickle Park Road), one of many unpaved forest routes branching from CO 65. Short side trails also connect the lower trail with the Grand Mesa Visitor Center and the nearby Ward Lake and Cobbett Lake Campgrounds, which essentially means there is a third entry.

If you are camping, you will most likely start at the closest trailhead. If you are day hiking, the west trailhead is the most convenient. The rewards are almost immediate. After just a few hundred feet, the trail leaves the trees and crosses one of many wildflower-filled meadows. High above, to the left, are the rooster-comb cliff bands of the crest itself.

If you want to get the hard part over with while you are still fresh, make the Crest your morning goal. Hike one mile, and at the well-signed junction of the upper and lower parts of the loop, bear left (straight) up a lung-busting series of switchbacks for approximately one-half mile where the Cottonwood Lakes Trail FS comes in from the left. Continue straight across the meadow to the crest portion — call it the best portion — of the route.

Columbines near the summit.

For two miles, you will be hiking on a narrow ridge flanked by dizzying drop-offs on both sides and spectacular Colorado vistas all around. The San Miguel, La Plata and San Juan Mountain ranges are visible to the south. The West Elk Range spreads to the east. The stark and eroded Bookcliffs, Roan Plateau and Battlement Mesa spread panoramically across the northern horizon. Utah’s small LaSal Range can be seen to the west.

The ridge feels like the top of the world. The high point is at 11,189 feet, and at about 4.5 miles along, you will begin descending (sometimes steeply) past Bullfinch Reservoir Number 1, Upper Eggleston Lake and the east trailhead. Eggleston Lake is at the lowest point of the route. Continue along the gentler, lower section of the Crag Crest Trail (FS Trail 711-1A) that again meanders through forests and clearings to the west trailhead.

The usual Colorado cautions are in order. Carry plenty of water (drink regularly) and snacks. Use sunscreen, insect repellent and sunglasses. Start early so that you are off the highest, most exposed sections of the trail by afternoon when rain and, more significantly, thunderstorms are common. You really don’t want to be on the exposed ridge when lightning starts cracking.

The Forest Service discourages winter use but does not prohibit it. The upper trail is only suitable for parties of well-equipped and experienced winter mountaineers. The trailhead parking lots are not plowed, so park at the Visitor Center near mile marker 25. From there, a shorter loop comprising two connectors (746/747 and 749) and the western portion of the Crag Crest Trail is nicely “snowshoeable” but it is not marked. It’s better to stick to the adjacent marked and groomed Ward Lake winter trail system.

Crag Crest Trail No.711 Sign

by Visit Grand Junction

source: http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/crag-crest-trail-grand-junction-colorado

13 Cold Weather Camping Hacks

by Vince Tuscano

Winter camping means having to deal with harsh elements and cold weather. The latter is perhaps the most outstanding feature of the winter camping experience. Cold weather can be a source of great discomfort for many, but for some survivalists, camping in the snow poses an exciting challenge and is a way to put your skills to the test. If you’re well prepared and know what you’re doing, winter camping can help you better understand your capabilities as well as your limits.

Get Prepared: This Awesome Stove Charges Your Phone and Cooks Your Food

Winter Camping Tips

While winter camping is not everyone’s idea of fun, it can still be made enjoyable and comfortable. The important thing is to be prepared as you will be needing more gear than you would while camping in the summer.

There are lots of benefits to be gained from winter camping. There are fewer campers, more space, and cheaper fees. You won’t be bothered by bugs. If you are properly equipped, you will enjoy a restful sleep. The campfire also becomes more enjoyable in the snow.

To make the most of your winter camping experience, you need the right gear, the right attitude and these tips that we have collected:

1. Prepare for winter camping.

To bug out or not becomes a critical decision when we are faced with an emergency, disaster or when SHTF. Winter is a season that involves a lot of preparations for everyone. But for preppers, winter preparations don’t just mean planning your winter wardrobe and arranging Christmas decorations. It should also involve carefully organizing a winter bug out kit just in case the unexpected occurs. Read more…

2. Go to bed warm.

Warmth originates from within, and any insulation from a sleeping bag or clothing is merely concerned with keeping it there. It’s pointless bedding down if you’re already freezing, so get warm by doing star-jumps before going to bed or performing sit-ups or press-ups in your sleeping bag. Click here for the full post.

3. Eat for warmth and energy.

If you are expecting a cold night or period you should adapt your food to it. Your body basically burns sugars to create heat for itself. Therefore it is a good idea to add a bit more butter to your menu. Also pasta is a great energy source. These foods are long-term sugars. Your body will stock them in the form of fat and convert them to sugar when needed. Of course you should add short-term sugars too during the day to keep going. This is what I would eat on a day of winter-expeditioning. See more…

4. Pack the snow.

Before set­ting up your tent, pack down your camp­site. If you have skis or snow­shoes, that means tramp­ing around hard until all the snow is packed.  If you’re shod only in boots this will take some time, but if you don’t do this, you run the risk of step­ping into a soft bit of snow in your tent and tear­ing the floor. Continue reading.

5. Stay dry.

If your inner layers get wet, you will be cold. Bring extra clothes that you can put on when you get wet (even if you don’t plan to use them). This also extends to your gear: if it starts raining, sleeting, or snowing, cover your gear with a waterproof layer or put it in your tent, the trailer, car, shelter, etc. When there is wet weather – stay out of your tent as much as possible. When we go in there unnecessarily we take a lot of ice/water with us into our tent and everything gets wet. If it’s wet it will be cold! When you pack your extra clothes in your backpack, put them in a plastic bag to help keep them dry. Read more…

6. Start fall and winter trips early in the morning.

I will never forget the ski trip I did one November where we didn’t start quite early enough in the morning to reach our cabin before dark. We’d forgotten how early the sun goes down in November and we hadn’t budgeted enough time with the trail breaking we were doing in deep snow. We never did reach that cabin and it was a long ski back to the cars by headlamp as we finally arrived at the vehicles near midnight. Lesson learned! Short days require a very early start if you have many miles to cover before reaching camp. (And another reason to choose a trip that’s short and easy). To read the whole article, click here.

7. Snow is a variable matter and only rarely is one situation is like the next.

In soft snow you will have to dig down a little and tread the snow before you pitch your tent. Next time the snow may be rock hard and you set up your tent as you would in summer. It is desirable to get your tent somewhat lower into the snow, but never further than half the height of the tent. This way it is less exposed to the wind and it prevents the wind from getting under the tent. You can also support your tent by shoveling some snow against the sides. But do not dig your tent down too deep! Wind and snowfall may cover you tent altogether or at least block the entrances. See more….

8. Keep your matches in a metal, not plastic, container.

Plastic can break if frozen. Always pack way more than you think you’ll need. For the full list, click here.

9. Put boiling water in your water bottle and sleep with it at your feet.

Fill your water bottle with boiling water (make sure it’s able to withstand boiling temperatures, like a Nalgene) and put a sock around it. Keep it in your sleeping bag for extra warmth. In the morning, you’ll have non-frozen water to drink.Continue reading.

10. Don’t go alone.

You should always camp with someone else when the weather is cold, in case of emergencies. Always leave behind a detailed trip plan and do not deviate from that plan. Read more…

11. Improve zipper pulls.

Most of the ones on jackets, pit zips, and leg vents aren’t necessarily designed to be used with big gloves or bulky mittens. I add pieces of lanyard roughly 3 inches long. – See more at: http://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner/winter-camping/winter-camping-tips/

12. Regulate your temperature on your hike.

It’s easier to stay warm than it is to re-warm. Don’t let yourself get chilled, or sweaty. Anticipate upcoming temperature and layering changes to stay ahead of them. For example, it’s smarter to layer up just before reaching a windy ridge top than it is to top out, get chilled, and then fight against the wind while layering up. Click here to read the whole article.

13. Don’t cook in the tent.

Cooking inside a tent can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning –ventilation is critical. Set up a cooking tarp with good ventilation. See more…

source: http://survivallife.com/2015/02/10/winter-camping-tips/

25 HELPFUL TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME SKIERS

3-12-2015

I’m that person that people refer to when they say, ‘If so-and-so can do it, then so can you…’ in regards to anything athletic, so if I survived my first ski holiday, I’m positive you can, too! And hopefully these tips for first-time skiers that I’ve learned from veteran skiers and from my own {humbling} personal experience will help you out a bit, too!

Before You Go

Decide what kind of holiday you’re after. Do you want an all-inclusive resort with all the bells and whistles, or will you be fine staying in a self-service apartment? Do your research and read as many reviews as you can and then…

 

Book your trip early! This is especially important if your holiday falls over a school break. Resorts and inns fill up quickly, sometimes a year in advance due to annual recurring visitors, so the earlier you can make preparations the better!

Don’t buy professional-grade gear. You’ll need up to three layers of clothing on the slopes – a base layer, a mid layer, and your waterproof jacket and trousers, plus a scarf, hat, helmet, goggles, ski gloves, and tall socks. You’d be crazy to go out and buy all of that for your first time – just use what you already have or borrow things from friends. {This does not apply to skis, boots, and poles – rent those, don’t borrow them!}

Book a ski class for at least your first day. They’re not just for kids! I know it’s expensive, especially after you’ve already paid for equipment rentals and lift passes, but I also know from experience, you will waste a lot of time on the slopes if you try to teach yourself. You don’t want to spend all this money on your perfect ski holiday just to spend half of it on your back in the snow. Save yourself the headache and book the class.

Get in shape. You don’t need six pack abs, but skiing is hard – if you’re not in good shape, you’re not going to last very long on the slopes, especially as a beginner.

When You Arrive

Rent your equipment from a reputable service. This includes skis, boots, poles, and a helmet if you didn’t bring your own. Here is an excellent guide that will help you make sure you’re properly fitted for your ski gear. Don’t leave until you’re satisfied!

Eat a good meal and go to bed early. Maybe this is a little too obvious of a tip, but the temptation is definitely there to stay up late by the fireside chatting with others in the resort. Go to bed early and you’ll feel a lot better the next morning!

Wear

A base-layer. Nothing made of cotton since it’s the layer next to your skin and it won’t be able to keep you dry. I used wicking running clothes I already had and those were perfect.

A mid-layer. This could be anything that’ll keep you warm. I just used my running jacket. A fleece pullover would work, too, as long as your outer layer is waterproof.

Outer layer. This is your waterproof trousers and coat. This is also where you could spend a lot of money, but you don’t have to. You’re just going to look big and bulky like everyone else, so you might as well save some cash and either buy cheap, or use what you have. One thing, though – you’re going to need…

 

Good ski trousers that vent. Besides goggles and ski gloves, nice trousers were the only thing we had to buy. We bought them from a discount store to save a little cash. It ended up being warmer on the mountain than we expected and I was so grateful for the zippers on the inside legs of my pants that allowed some air in. It’s easy to take your top layers off, but your trousers? Not so much.

Hat & Neckwarmer. Make sure your hat fits close to your head and bring it with you when you get fitted for your helmet. A scarf is all you need to keep your neck warm. Also, If you’ve got long hair, bring something to tie it back with. I left my hair down the first day and ended up swallowing more strands than I cared to. After that, I started putting it in a side braid. It kept it out of my face, and it looked cute. {Most important part right?}

Ski socks. Or any tall, thick socks. They’ll make your boots feel more comfortable around your feet and on your calf where the boot presses into your leg.

Goggles or sunglasses? How about both? On a sunny day without a lot of wind, you’d be fine with sunglasses that wrap tightly around your face. I didn’t care for skiing with goggles because I felt like I had limited peripheral vision with them, but they were absolutely necessary when it was snowing hard like this…

Gloves, the proper ski kind. This tip comes from my helpful instructor, Hans. He told me I could ski in a bikini if I wanted to, but to never take off my gloves. The edges of your skis are sharp, and he’s seen many fingers sliced right off in a fall. Thick ski gloves will help prevent that.

Regular gloves under your ski gloves. The ski gloves are big and bulky. When you’re not skiing, like say at lunch at the ski bar, you’ll want something covering your hands, but you’ll still want to be able to pick up your food. Regular gloves will come in handy!

Your helmet. Even if you’re skiing at a snail’s pace and you’re not leaving the bunny hill, someone else could be reckless and plow into you. Like your momma always said, ‘Better safe than sorry!’

Sunscreen. Or a balaclava if it’ll be cold enough to wear one. You just need something to protect your skin from the sun that reflects off the snow. I saw a lot of sunburned faces in Alpbach!

On The Slopes

Try to get on the mountain early. The less crowded the slopes are, the more confident you’ll feel. Plus, if you look like an idiot, less people will be around to see it. :o)

Always underestimate your abilities. You don’t want to get partway down a piste you can’t handle because there’s no going back after you get started. Stick with the beginner slopes until you’re confident enough to move on. No one’s judging you!

Never go off on your own. I know you’re smarter than that, but I still needed to mention it. Always have at least one other person with you, just in case.

Know your signage. In Europe, greens are for beginners, blues are for novices, red are for intermediates, and blacks are for experts. In North America, it’s slightly different and also incorporates shapes. The point is, know how to read the signs.

Bring a backpack. You may need to shed layers, and you’ll need somewhere to keep them. It’s also smart to bring a few snacks – skiing burns a lot of calories! Alternatively, if you don’t want the bother of extra weight, you could rent a locker, if available, from the ski station.

Bring a map. For two reasons – first, you won’t get lost. Second, knock on wood, if you do have an accident, you’ll be able to mark where you are on the map and whoever you’re skiing with can take the map to the nearest ski patrol. They’ll have an easier time finding you if they know your exact location.

Stay hydrated. We were so thirsty all the time! I think skiing makes me more dehydrated than running does. Bring a couple water bottles in your backpack and then you can keep filling them up at the ski stations or restaurants.

And a bonus 26th tip…Have fun, and don’t give up. You’re going to fall down. You’re going to do it in front of other people. And then you’re going to stand up and laugh it off. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Everyone you see skiing on the slopes started just like you did. You will get better!

If you’re nerdy like me, when you fall down you can use the opportunity to take a selfie. Although, if I’m not aimlessly looking off into the distance or raising a sassy eyebrow, does it really count as a selfie?

source: http://www.thewanderblogger.com/2014/03/25-helpful-tips-for-first-time-skiers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+thewanderblogger+(The+Wanderblogger)