Backcountry Explorations
Snowshoeing 101
There's more than one way to explore the winter backcountry. Skis have long been the tools of choice for winter recreationists, but snowshoers are popping up all over the place - hiking on backcountry trails, meandering across meadows, snaking through tight trees and tossing snowboards on their backs en route to the real high country. Snowshoes can take you virtually anywhere there's snow. This oldest winter activity is new again. In fact, it is America's fastest-growing winter sport. It appeals to everyone, from casual winter walkers to snowshoe runners.
Snowshoeing is winter's answer to walking and hiking, which are Colorado's most popular outdoor leisure activities, and it is equally popular with super-fit runners who use it for winter training. Snowshoes are a dream on the ascent, and while they don't provide skis' downhill ride, they allowed you to maintain a steady hiking rhythm and stay warm even on the coldest, windiest days.
The snowshoeing technique is as simple as walking. I have learned to love snowshoes' reliability and steadiness. From the solid platform of snowshoes, I spend more time looking around then ever before, and I get as interested in identifying animal tracks in the winter as I am in identifying wildflowers and mushrooms on a summer hike.
What does it take to add snowshoeing to your repertoire? Not much. Other than the snowshoes themselves, you surely already own all the equipment and clothing you'll need. Take a walk on the wild side with a pair of snowshoes.
Claire Walter, award-winning Colorado-based writer on outdoor sports and travel and travel editor for Skiing Magazine, is the author of Snowshoeing Colorado, the first and most complete guidebook on the fastest-growing sport in America. Snowshoeing Colorado introduces newcomers to the basics of this low-cost, low-key sport. The book covers what to wear, what to bring, what to expect in terms of skills, snowshoeing etiquette and the necessary precautions to take when exploring the winter world. It is also a guide to more than 150 trails, specifically geared to snowshoeing's pace and range. Specific information about each route includes: access to the trailhead, length, starting elevation and elevation change, degree of difficulty, and avalanche potential.