Well, I have only been out once for what I would call more of a winter hike and less of a snowshoe so far this year. A few weeks ago I headed up to Twin Sisters. The trail was pack the entire way, and though I did wear the shoes most of the way up (for traction only), it wasn't what I would call a true snowshoe, at least based on my other experiences so far this year.
I didn't get to take any pictures, but it did give me some time to think about what I would like to do this year.
In 2011, my goal was to hike to every named destination in Wild Basin. In the end, I got to around 75% of those, and just ran out of time as the winter season started strong. However, I did realize that I could reach my goal of hiking to all of those destinations in a year if I counted from my first hike of the season, which wasn't until May!
At this point, I only have six peaks left, with the remainder being high lakes and I think the odd waterfall here and there. It seems very likely that I can accomplish this goal!
So then what should I set my sights on for 2012? A few ideas...
Bluebird Lake in the winter. This is one of my favorite, if not my most favorite, lakes in the park. I have been plenty of times in the summer, so it would be interesting to me to see it in the winter. It looks like we will have some warmer temperatures here, so hopefully I can manage to get the car and head up soon.
Continental divide crossing, or to Grand Lake and back. This would be an epic at 36ish miles, with a good portion of that off trail, and above treeline. Also I would like to be able to do this in one push- no camping at Grand Lake before heading back. Why? Well, I think it would be fun, challenging, exciting, and offer some unique views that I couldn't get otherwise. I think this would probably wait until later in the season... July, August, September. For sure on or around a night with a full moon.
Longs Peak. The only fourteener in the park, and the one that people ask about when they learn that I like to hike! I would like to do it in tandem with Mt. Meeker in one day, as well as from the probably never used Keplingers Couloir route. Maybe even add in the standard Keyhole route.
Explore other areas of the park. I have not done much of this, but I think it wouldn't take me much longer to get to the Estes Park entrance than Wild Basin, and this would open up a whole range of possibility. I would definitely like to summit Chiefs Head Peak, Estes Cone, Mt. Lady Washington, Flattop, Hallett Peak, and see Ten Lake Park (maybe get some surrounding peaks as well).
What are some of your goals for 2012? I would love to hear.
Needless to say, spring can't come quickly enough for my liking, and I am itching to get out to the middle of nowhere, to be near nothing, to hear only the sound of my breathing, to not get cell phone reception. Until then...