Tennessee Pass X-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on Tennessee Pass is a “best kept secret.” Little used, the 15 miles of trails in the White River and San Isabelle National Forest offer beginner and intermediate trails that meander through forest and meadows with views of Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive, Galena and Homestake Peaks.
The trails (marked with blue diamonds), including the Mitchell, Powderhound and Treeline Loops, follow the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails as they loop around and over the Continental Divide, follow the old narrow gauge railroad grade (a good beginners trail) and pass 1880’s kilns where charcoal was made from local timber and used to fuel the trains going to Leadville. On a lucky day, you may even view moose feeding in the Mitchell Creek wetlands.
And, if some in your group want to alpine ski or snowboard, just drop them off at Ski Cooper, the training area for the 10th Mountain Division soldiers. The 10th Mountain Division War Memorial is also located at the top of Tennessee Pass. End the day with a superior dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse.
You access Mitchell Loop, Powderhound and Treeline from a trailhead parking lot that is 23 miles south of Minturn on Highway 24, or 10 miles north of Leadville on Highway 24. The parking lot is just across Highway 24 from the entrance to Ski Cooper.
Click here for full-size, printable map (PDF) .
Please see the Trail Map for more details.