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Trip
Intermediate Snowshoe – Missing Route/Place
We will all park at the Upper/Mason Creek Parking Lot, then split the group in two and driving half the cars to the Lazy V Lot. See details below. Both ends have restrooms. We likely will pass each other somewhere in the middle of Bear Paws. Optional after-hike meet-up at Snowpack Tavern.
- Fri, Feb 10, 2023
- Bobcats Section
- Snowshoeing
- Intermediate
- Adults
- Moderate
- Challenging
- Mileage: 7.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
- High Point Elevation: 9,533 ft
- Pace: moderate in keeping with the group
- 2 (17 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
We will meet at the north side of the The Fort's dirt parking area on Hwy 8 just north of US-285 (39.629462, -105.193259). Arrive at 7:15 am for no later than a 7:30 drive-away to Staunton State Park Mason Creek Lot.
Please prepare to drive from the Fort to the park if you have a State Park parking pass. And bring a second car key if you have one.
Because of the car shuttle, we may need an extra driver or two although the drive distance between parking lots is only two miles.
Leaders' cell phone is 203-536-4199, so text or call if needed.
This is a lovely trip any time of the year. The first part is a straight uphill along either Mason or Mill Creek but we'll go slowly to warm up. Once we reach the top, we'll stop as view areas come up.
The details: We are setting two separate, opposite traveling groups, in order to accommodate a long waiting list. Once we reach the Mason Creek lot, we will break into two groups, half the group will drive half the cars about two miles to the Lazy V parking lot, leaving the keys under the front mats. That group will snowshoe up Mill Creek Trail, over Bear Paws, and down Mason Creek to the Mason Creek Parking Lot. The second group will hike up Mason Creek, across Bear Paws, returning to the Lazy V lot down the Old Mill Trail, picking up the cars and driving back to the Mason Creek Parking Lot so we can sort out the carpools and equipment, with attention to who wants to go back to the Fort and go right home and who wants to meet at Snowpack Tavern.
Required Equipment
Snowshoe kit, possible microspikes, 10 essentials, and lunch. Warm drink optional. Dress in layers. We are assuming the snow will be good enough for snowshoes but we'll monitor and confirm that and the weather a day or two before trip day.