Los Griegos X-Country Ski Complex......Meander
January 2, 2011
Author/Organizer: Michael
Altherr
Trip Participants: Scott Bailey,
Dennis Brandt, Jan Studebaker, Katie Watson, Michael Altherr, plus
three dogs.
Attractions: Blue bird day and
excellent snow!
Distance: How long could it be?
Elevation Gain: Approximately
1,200 feet.
Duration: About 3.5 hours.
Departed car at 10:00 AM. Returned to car at ~1:30PM.
Weather: Very cold at start ~0
oF but it warmed throughout the morning to about 20
oF by the time we got back to the car. No wind.
Comments: It was a great day!
Our route was a figure 8 circuit with only about 50 meters of
overlap near the mid-point. All skiers stayed together and
managed a good pace climbing 1100’ to our sunny lunch spot. A
small tree fall was easily circumvented on the way up. The descent
from the lunch spot lost about a third of our elevation gain, was
very enjoyable and even provided some knee-deep powder turns. We
broke trail through the 'relatively level' road toward the mid level
trail nexus.
The snow was some of
the best we have seen in Jemez for several years!
Unfortunately, a
large fir had recently fallen and seriously blocked the trail.
Each of us found our own way through the obstacle before we started
our long final descent and short flat back to the cars. A good
time was had by all!
Jan negotiates the ski
trail. Whose idea was this anyway?
