Indian Peaks Bliss (Arapaho Lakes) Jan/Feb'13

The great thing about this outing in the winter is that everyone is invited. On skis or snowshoes, with or without your dogs. Thanks to gentle slopes and woods, out-and-back trails like Arapaho Lakes are quite safe. Also, it’s impossible to miss the trailhead.

It’s literally at the end of the road. From Rollinsville, that small cluster of buildings along the Peak To Peak Highway just south of Nederland, follow the sign for Rollins Pass and turn west toward the continental divide along the train tracks. While four wheel drive and high clearance are not always necessary, they do make for good piece of mind on this unpaved road to the start of the route.

Watch Video

Much of it is through trees and the Indian Peaks area is known for being quite windy at times. There are plenty of times when the wind is low and perfectly tolerable.

The slopes aren't too steep and the trees are close enough together that avalanche concerns are a minimum. Just be observant not to wander into an avalanche runout and assess the avalanche danger yourself before going out or once on site.

Bring a helmet for skiing through the trees.