Spruce Hole Yurt Ski Trip
February 2-4, 2007
Trip Leader:
Bill Priedhorsky
Author:
Jan Studebaker
Trip
Participants: Cosima Leedom & Jan Studebaker, Jackie
Little, Bill Priedhorsky, and Dennis Brandt.
Photo Gallery:
Jan Studebaker,
click here
Cosima and I
happened upon the
Spruce Hole
Yurt on one of our many
adventures together last year. It looked great, so we decided
to go back as soon as we could. It turned out that Bill
Priedhorsky decided to lead a trip there this year, so we
happily signed on along with other long-term friends Jackie
Little, and Dennis Brandt. Bill took care of all the details,
and we went merrily along for the ride.
The trip up
required trail breaking, and provided an occasional burst of
wind.
The roomy 20'
diameter yurt at Spruce Hole is a modern version of the
traditional design with added features to make it warm and
comfortable. We were very impressed with the many amenities:
-
a wood
stove and plenty of firewood
-
room for up
to six people
-
one queen,
one full, and two twin beds
-
propane
powered lights and cookstove
-
plush
bedding and clean sheets, no need to tote your sleeping bag
-
unique
stargazing and observation tower in top of yurt
-
basic food
staples and spices, you bring the main meals
We took several
ski trips will staying at the yurt (Dennis was our
untiring trail blazer):
-
a wonderful
evening ski into Spruce Hole (the snow devils were
spectacular).
-
a five hour
trip to the top of the nearby mesa where our view included
San Antonio Mountain, Blanca, and the Crestones (we also got
in a few turns).
-
on the way
out we found deep and steep snow just off the trail, and we
tried some turns on near perfect powder (some of the best
I've found this year).
Evening skiing in the Spruce Hole.
While at the
yurt we joked continually, ate gourmet food, played Gin Rummy,
and looked out the beautiful skylight. It was truly another
great trip to remember.....and to repeat!
Directions to the Spruce Hole Yurt:
From Chama, NM,
take highway 17 north out of Chama for 20 miles. Look for the
Spruce Hole sign on your right side and park off the highway.
The trail is on the south side of the road and is marked. The
yurt is 2 1/2 miles from the highway.
