Christmas Eve Snowshoeing on the Mesa

[IntrepidXJ]

Christmas Eve | Saturday, December 24, 2011

Since Amanda had to work this morning, I decided to head up on the Grand Mesa to do a little snowshoeing. I bought a new pair of snowshoes and some new poles a few months back and wanted to try them out. Since I was testing out new gear and only had a few hours I decided to head back to the West Bench Trail since I'm familiar with it.

I also only took my iPhone on this short hike instead of dragging along my DSLR, so if my photos don't look up to my usual standards, you know why...

Here's my new MSR Evo Tour snowshoes ready for their first hike.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6565879561_82dcb461e5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565879561/)
New Snowshoes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565879561/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The first bridge I crossed.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6565880263_62c77407f1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565880263/)
Snow Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565880263/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The snow wasn't quite as high as the last time I was here. Last January the snow almost completely covered this sign.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6566344323_08d6ef0140_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566344323/)
Stop (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566344323/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Another bridge and a sign pointing the way.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6565878345_a785a86e09_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565878345/)
West Bench Trail (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565878345/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Following the trail across a dam.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6566347467_f4502c4ee6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566347467/)
On a Dam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566347467/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

A typical scene along the West Bench.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6566349193_c81a087cb2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566349193/)
Winter Wonderland (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6566349193/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6565918173_b583e67f16_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565918173/)
Lone Tree (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565918173/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Sitting down for a short rest.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6565881023_a0d669bdb5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565881023/)
Resting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565881023/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6565876527_a3147f3300_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565876527/)
Snow & Trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565876527/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6565877429_2a71015ec3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565877429/)
Grand Mesa View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565877429/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Leaving the Grand Mesa on my way back home.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6565879027_b0e294ea96_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565879027/)
Leaving Grand Mesa (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6565879027/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

[blueeyes]

:2thumbs:

[JONBOYLEMON]

How do you like the MSR's???? Do they float enough or do you need groomed trails?

[IntrepidXJ]

So far I like the MSRs. I specifically bought these for packed trails since that is usually where I find myself, and my 36" Redfeathers were too large for the packed trails.

These would be a bit too small for non-packed trails for me, but I'm thinking about picking up the 6" tails in the future to try.

[ibenick]

Awesome. Wish we had some of that snow stuff around here. I have MSR snowshoes too. I really like how you can add length to the MSR's for powder or detach for packed snow.

[accadacca]

Looks like a great place to snowshoe and yep you actually have snow. :haha: