FULL INFORMATION AND SIGN-UP ONLY ON CAMPFIRE (link below)
The Neff Yurt is in Colorado at 10,400 on the north side of Neff Mountain. Trailhead is at 9,720. It is a beautiful ski, primarily up logging roads. On Wednesday, we will take advantage of our close proximity to several bowls and tree skiing, with the potential to ski to the top of the mountain to look down at Cumbres Pass. I have been there almost every year since Doug McLennan put this Yurt in. It is a beautiful area with great powder skiing with many options of difficulty. Overall, it is in an area of low avalanche potential. No dogs allowed. There is No cell service. Lodging and Food - The Yurt has two bunkbeds and six mattresses; two mattresses go on the floor. You will need to bring your sleeping bag and a sheet to go on the twin mattress, as well as a pillowcase. There's a wood stove for heat and a two-burner propane stove for cooking. Each person will bring their own food. Cookware and utensils are provided in the Yurt. Easier to prepare food (like freeze dried) will be good as there will be six participants. Water is from snow melt. I will bring a water filter; you may want to bring your own too. As of early January, there is about two feet of snow, but the snowpack could easily be eight feet by mid-February. This Yurt is booked every day of January and February, so there are likely to be somewhat recent tracks into the Yurt. However, I've been there when it snows three feet per day, which totally obliterates any tracks. XC skis only, please. Take your skins along if you have them. Moderate skill level preferred. On the 'easy' end of strenuous. We will plan on leaving the trailhead at 10:30. Under good conditions, it is about a 2–3-hour ski in, however, it can be much longer. It is common to have a totally sunny day, but it is not uncommon to have over two feet of fresh, light snow every day. A full gear list will be distributed later by the Trip Leader. Before the Trip -The Colorado Search and Rescue Card is $5 for a year (COSAR, https://cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program ) is recommended. Unlike NM, Colorado charges for searches and rescues. Vehicle and Travel: If the roads are particularly snowy on Monday, we may opt to stay in Chama the night before. I'll decide Monday morning how the roads are looking, but they are generally OK (just slower) with moderate snowfall. On clear roads, it is about 2 hours from Santa Fe to Chama, and then another 25 minutes to the trailhead. Some folks may opt to stay in Chama Monday night regardless of road conditions. Road Conditions Snowy Roads, Road Closures = Heading up on Tuesday, if the highway (CO-17) is closed before we get to the CO-NM border, we will stay in Chama, and ski in the following day. If CO-17 is closed while we are at the Yurt, we may have to stay at the Yurt an additional day. Road closures are not too common, but they do happen.-At a minimum, good tires and chains required -or- snow tires; a 4WD would be very useful. sharing, Liability Release, Medical Information COST: We will split the $227 cost among all participants ($37.83). Vehicle expense and any motel stays in Chama are on your own. signed liability release form is required. Medical information form is also required.
The Neff Yurt is the easiest Yurt of the Southwest Nordic Center Yurt system. https://southwestnordiccenter.com/reservations/ Lots of good info on SW Nordic's web page.
sign up at: https://www.riograndesierraclub.org/calendar/
No dogs.
Bring: XC skis only, please. Take your skins along if you have them. Also you need a vehicle with good tires & chains or snow tires. 4wd useful.
Trip Leader: John Buchser (505) 231-6645 jbuchser505@gmail.com
Level: Strenuous