Adventure Log

Snowshoeing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
As much as we love downhill skiing, after skiing for a few days in a row, our legs need a little break. That’s when we venture into another sport, like snow shoeing. Snow shoeing is great because anyone who can walk, can snow shoe, no lessons required! It’s also economical, compared to downhill skiing. The only costs involved are the rental fee for the shoes, and sometimes a trail fee, usually no more than $5.00 a person. Of course, there are hundreds of hiking trails to explore on snow shoes too, but for those just starting out, like us, it’s best to start on marked and monitored trails. I can personally recommend the trails at Snow Mountain Ranch – YMCA of the Rockies, and Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Last year, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their three children spent a week with us in Winter Park. My sister-in-law doesn’t ski, and it’s no fun sitting around the condo all day. So one bright, sunny day my sister-in-law and I headed off with our two girls for a little snow shoeing at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a lovely, rather small resort with groomed Nordic ski trails and snow shoe trails. They are all well marked and meander through lovely meadows and forest paths. One trail passes by the horse coral. These horses are used for the sleigh rides offered by the ranch. The girls enjoyed petting the noses of the friendly horses. Most of the trails gradually ascend uphill from the ranch, providing lovely views of the valley below and surrounding hills and mountains. I recommend filling a backpack with sandwiches, snacks and drinks. There are various places to stop and picnic. On the trail back to the ranch, the girls spotted large, fresh paw tracks in the snow. We had no idea what animal had made them, until my sister-in-law spotted a coyote quite a ways ahead of us on the trail. Unfortunately, the coyote just looks like a gray smudge in all the pictures I took of him. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant day enjoyed by all… fresh pine-scented air, sun and exercise. It just needs to be topped-off with a relaxing soak in the hot tub! Enjoy!

Snowshoeing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

As much as we love downhill skiing, after skiing for a few days in a row, our legs need a little break. That’s when we venture into another sport, like snow shoeing.

Snow shoeing is great because anyone who can walk, can snow shoe, no lessons required! It’s also economical, compared to downhill skiing. The only costs involved are the rental fee for the shoes, and sometimes a trail fee, usually no more than $5.00 a person. Of course, there are hundreds of hiking trails to explore on snow shoes too, but for those just starting out, like us, it’s best to start on marked and monitored trails. I can personally recommend the trails at Snow Mountain Ranch – YMCA of the Rockies, and Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Last year, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their three children spent a week with us in Winter Park. My sister-in-law doesn’t ski, and it’s no fun sitting around the condo all day. So one bright, sunny day my sister-in-law and I headed off with our two girls for a little snow shoeing at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a lovely, rather small resort with groomed Nordic ski trails and snow shoe trails. They are all well marked and meander through lovely meadows and forest paths. One trail passes by the horse coral. These horses are used for the sleigh rides offered by the ranch. The girls enjoyed petting the noses of the friendly horses. Most of the trails gradually ascend uphill from the ranch, providing lovely views of the valley below and surrounding hills and mountains.

I recommend filling a backpack with sandwiches, snacks and drinks. There are various places to stop and picnic.

On the trail back to the ranch, the girls spotted large, fresh paw tracks in the snow. We had no idea what animal had made them, until my sister-in-law spotted a coyote quite a ways ahead of us on the trail. Unfortunately, the coyote just looks like a gray smudge in all the pictures I took of him. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant day enjoyed by all… fresh pine-scented air, sun and exercise. It just needs to be topped-off with a relaxing soak in the hot tub!

Enjoy!