Jim Creek Snowshoe

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,230 ft - 10,113 ft
Elevation Gain: 883 ft
Dogs: Off leash

A rare glimpse of the mountains to the northeast from the Jim Creek Trail

Jim Creek is an easy snowshoe suitable for novices or those just beginning their winter conditioning. The trail is wide, well packed, and the elevation gain is extremely gradual. We could have worn Yak Traks instead of snowshoes, but after a major dumper, you'll want the extra support. Jim Creek is also very serene. The trail is in the trees most of the time, and we were the only ones in sight. Solitude reigned supreme.

The trail head kiosk

The trail head is located across Highway 40 from the Winter Park Ski Area. The route begins next to the trail head kiosk in the G-parking area of Winter Park. The trail starts to the right on a boardwalk labeled the Discovery Trail. On the other side of the boardwalk, head left. You will pass under a large, cream-colored water pipe shortly thereafter. At 0.8 miles is a four-way junction with a sign for the James Peak Special Protection Area. Continue straight at the junction. At 1.4 miles is an Adopt-a-trail sign, at 2.1 miles the trees close in rather dramatically, at 2.54 miles we hit 10,000 ft, and at 2.8 miles (10,113 ft) we turned around.

The water pipe and National Forest Boundary

While in the trees most of the time there are occasional views of the side valley walls and one nice, but brief view of the summit of James Peak. Being in the trees has one main disadvantage, you are in the shade even if the day is beautifully sunny. It is much harder to stay warm without the welcoming Colorado sunshine. On this trip, the air temps were so cold, we could have used a little sun.

Still near the parking area, the trail passes by a large picnic ground. The building is a bathroom that was closed.

Dark trees is the norm on the Jim Creek trail

At the start of the trip the air was was a balmy -4°F and it only warmed up to 20°F. Normally, I can manage to strip down to my base layer while in the sun, but on this trip, I kept my softshell and vest on and only vented slightly on the way up. My legs, despite having long underwear on were cold the entire trip. On the way back down, I resorted to putting on an under layer of down. We were lucky, however. We had planned on doing this trail the day before when the wind chill was -25°F. I am glad we waited. Sometimes I need to be reminded just how powerful the sun is at 10K feet!

Another open area

The spot at 2.1 miles where the trees close in was very intriguing. The trees seem to double in height and are so close to either side of the trail that I almost felt like walking sideways. The amount of snow bulging from every bough made this gauntlet feel almost cozy despite the chill. A few Starbucks gift cards handing from the branches would have made the experience complete!

The trees start to get taller

Your turn around point is going to be determined entirely by your energy level. Just past 2.6 miles, the trail ascends a series of short switch backs. This is where our guide book recommended turning around. The trail was well tracked beyond this point, so we decided to continue on. After this point, however, the trail is more of a bushwhack. There are branches to duck, and the frozen creek is close at hand. We were hoping for a big pay off view, but I suspect the route continues for quite a ways in the trees.

The one decent view of James Peak

We may very consider taking a group on Jim Creek. There is a large picnic ground near the cars one could use to train novices and the trail is quite easy. I just love trying out new trails and am pleased to add Jim Creek to my repertoire.

The trees close in