Let's get some exercise and enjoy the beauty of Echo Summit's snowshoe trail. It's one of my favorites, is incredibly serene, and poses little in the way of technical challenge or steep dangerous trail. We will plan on shoeing (suffering?) around 5 hours.

No snowshoe experience necessary, but participants should have enough cardio fitness to enjoy the rigors of snowshoeing. This means the ability to hike AT LEAST 7 miles and 1000 feet of vertical on dry trail.
As to distance, that will depend on each person's fitness, and the snow conditions, so I cannot state the total mileage we will cover. The first mile or so is really flat, then we will climb 450-500 vertical ft. to the beautiful Benwood Meadow, which for many is a good destination point. After this, the trail steepens and the views really open up, with incredible snow-cliffs and rock landscapes. For those who are most fit, the top of the trail is at 9000 ft. for a vertical gain of 1700 ft. and total distance of about 7.5 miles. Regardless of one's fitness, we will all follow the same trail and double-back along this trail. I've hiked the route many times, and this approach has worked well, for it allows folks to hike at a pace that is comfortable, and no one has to stress about "keeping up" with the leaders.

Moderate to Heavy snow cancels-----PLEASE CHECK STATUS OF MEETUP THRU MORNING OF JAN 30th.

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING:

Tire chains, snowshoes (can rent at REI), daypack, 2-3 liters water, whistle, snacks, sunscreen, lipbalm, sunhat, sunglasses (wraparound better), water-resistant hiking boots (plastic produce bags further warm & waterproof feet), gaitors, water-resistant/proof pant shell and jacket, cold-weather gloves, non-cotton tops and bottoms for layering, non-cotton socks. ** I'll bring a bottle of vino, so bring a plastic cup (or bottle) if you believe wine & snow go hand in hand.

Additionally, there is a $15 parking fee per car. Each person should have money for driver. Optional meal and/or refreshments, somewhere, for those interested. Crude (hand-drawn, art-school dropout) map to trailhead will be provided.

Any questions, please call me at [masked] or e-mail at [masked]