Jawbone Mountain X-C Ski or Snowshoe

Jawbone Mountain is a 10,600 ft peak off highway 64 near Hopewell Lake.  (this is the highway that runs between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla).   It is a 3 mile ski (one way) from Highway 64 with an 800 ft elevation gain.  (6 mile round trip)  X-C skiers and snowshoers are welcome on this trip.  

The trip will be limited to 10 people following NM covid precautions.  If there are more than 10 folks, we will try to recruit a second leader to go with a second "pod."   Individuals will be responsible for their own transportation and we will practice appropriate social distancing while out on the trail.  

The trip starts out where USFS Road 1893 goes off to the north from highway 64, just west of Hopewell Lake.  After about a mile, the tour will approximately follow the Continental Divide trail north to a saddle at ~10200 ft. 

Then we will turn east and go to the top of Jawbone Mountain.  Much of the tour is within aspen/fir forest, with a lovely view of the Sangres and surrounding area at the top.  

For X-C skiers, it is helpful to have climbing skins for the descent from Jawbone Mountain, as the snowpack will be somewhat crusty in the open areas.  

We will leave Los Alamos at 7:30 am Saturday morning March 6th.  It's a 2 hour drive to the trailhead, about a 5-6 hour tour, being back in Los Alamos about 6 pm. Santa Fe folks, we will figure out where to meet.  There is no parking lot at the trailhead - we will park on the side of highway 64 - it should be possible to get 3-5 feet off the highway. Bring a snowshovel for your car.  

Bring water, lunch, climbing skins for X-C skiers,  layers of clothing, including wind protection.

Send an email to jeandewart7@gmail.com if you'd like to come.