Had a superb 4×4 journey over Colorado’s Schofield Pass the last couple of days (using it as a commute to Crested Butte to visit family). That place is exceptional, a mountain immersion experience with the incredible views, wildlife and generally fine environment. Schofield road is becoming quite the multi-user trail. On Saturday I saw at least 50 hikers, a horse packer, ATVs and 4x4s, bicycles and deer (the later proving as always that backcountry roads are not that big a deal to wildlife.) User conflicts? WHAT user conflicts? A minor trailside repair kept things interesting.
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| The nut worked its way off one of my spring hanger bolts, and the bolt was hanging half way out before I noticed. Luckily the spare parts bin had a nut that fit and the tools to go with it. Biting flies kept me moving. Don’t laugh at the long pants and long sleeved shirt — it’s that or wall-to-wall DEET as it’s tough to swat flies with a socket wrench. |
Schofield conditions: Still slightly rougher than average, but rock stackers have filled in the best holes so they can get their stockers through. Shucks. (Note, weekdays are practically deserted up there — more of our incredibly crowded Colorado backcountry — not.)
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
