Hiking On The Continental Divide As Seasons Change In Colorado
If you seek solitude as summer wanes in the Colorado Rockies, head to four winter resorts that sit "quietly" during the off-season along the Continental Divide.
Located primarily on U.S. Forest Service land, winter lodges are locked up and chairlifts sit idle. Nothing to eat, drink or buy. Just hiking routes that lead up to the spine of the Rockies, alpine terrain, aspens and wildflowers, and ways to get to the top of some of the highest peaks in the West.
Ski Cooper sits just under the Divide at Tennessee Pass (10,424 feet elevation) about 15 minutes from Leadville. A dirt road east out of the parking runs to the base of the Piney Basin triple chair. From there, the road peters out into a trail up North Basin just below Chicago Ridge and the Divide.
Across U.S. 24 from the ski area are dozens of trailheads, including the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and a route to 10th Mountain Division's Camp Hale. For summiting, Missouri Hill (10,900), Taylor Hill (11,729) Buckeye Peak (12,870) and Homestead Peak (13,215) are within range.
Every spring, Loveland Ski Area announces that it will go into "quiet rest" until the snow flies again. Only the parking lot is open, where hikers can leave their vehicles -- and distractions -- behind.
Marked routes run from the main base beyond treeline to the Divide (12,500-13,000). Those seeking to stand atop a peak can head over the Eisenhower Tunnel to Golden Bear Peak (13,008) or Mt. Trelease (12,460).
Situated just below Monarch Pass (11,312) on U.S. 50, Monarch Mountain opens its parking lots for the off-season. Hikers can head up specified trails that top out at the 12,000-foot ridge. Another access is farther up U.S. 50 on Old Monarch Pass Road.
From either point, the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail trace north and south. If conquering a peak is your thing, Monarch marks the southern terminus of the soaring Collegiate Peaks, with Monumental Peak (13,369) and Vulcan Mountain (12,972) right along the Divide. Nearby trailheads lead to Mt. Shavano (14,225) and Mt. Tabeguache (14,154).
The southernmost Divide locale is Wolf Creek Ski Area. Parking at the ski area provides access to easy strolls like Alberta Lake Loop. Or head up the stair-step terrain to the Divide and head south on Continental Divide Trail, copping Alberta Peak (11,870) along the way. Or turn north, cross U.S. 160 and head into the density of the Weminuche Wilderness.
