Oro Grande Trail – This hike starts in Dillon and is relatively flat and overlooks the Dillon Reservoir and the 10-Mile Range. This is one of our favorites of the amazing views of the entire hike. It’s also south facing so even on some of the colder days it can feel like a warm hike. It does experience some foot traffic so if the conditions are right, the trail might be packed down and you wouldn’t even need snowshoes. This is an out-and-back so you can hike until you’re ready to turn around. Once you turn around and return to Dillon you will then be treated with amazing views of the Gore Range.
Old Dillon Reservoir – This is a short 1.7-mile hike with great views of the Gore Range from the top. The trailhead is located on the west side of the Dillon Dam. Once you leave the trailhead you’ll have a short uphill hike before making it to some of the more breathtaking views of Summit County. At the top will be a small reservoir that supplies parts of Summit County with their drinking water. You can walk around the reservoir or simply run around and head back to the car.
Dillon Nature Preserve – Park at the trailhead for the Dillon Nature Preserve and you’ll find a wide network of trails you can do a short out and back hike or you can create some longer loop hikes of over 5 miles. The majority of trails have amazing views across the Dillon Reservoir of the 10-Mile and Gore Ranges. You can even walk on a plowed road along the Reservoir which is a great option for those families pushing a stroller.
FRISCO SNOWSHOE TRAILS
Rainbow Lake Trail – This trail can be accessed from multiple points throughout Frisco with the most common being from 2nd Street, known as Zach’s Stop. This trail meanders uphill, through the woods, and eventually makes it to a small lake and great scenic vista of Peak 1. This is a great snowshoe hike for any family.
Meadow Creek Trail – This is a great 3-mile snowshoe through a dense forest. The trail goes along the frozen Meadow Creek before eventually connecting to the Lily Pad Lake Trail. After about another mile you will come to Lily Pad lake which provides great views of Buffalo Mountain.
SILVERTHORNE SNOWSHOE TRAILS
Mesa Cortina Trail – This is a trail traveling above the hillside of Silverthorne. There are lots of options for a short out and back or to make it a loop hike by connecting some of the trails near the Buffalo Cabin Trail. Cell service isn’t great in this valley so be sure to have a map
Lily Pad Lake Trail – Lilly Pad lake trail is about 3.3 miles out-and-back snowshoe hike. It leaves from the top of Ryan Gulch road. The trail goes through a dense forest before you make it to Lily Pad Lake. Please note that this is a heavily trafficked trail and parking is often a challenge. The Summit Stage (Summit County-operated free buss) does drop off at a bus station close to the trailhead.
Rock Creek Trail – This trail is north of Silverthorne and a perfect snowshoe hike for a family. It’s an out-and-back so you can hike until you’re tired and simply turn around. The hike leaves the trailhead and goes strat up before it levels off for the duration of the snowshoe hike. On clear days you can get amazing views of Keller Mountain and the Gore Range.
