Mitchell Creek Cross-country Ski Trail

Description:

• This trail follows an old railroad grade for its entire length. This trail offers good views of Chicago Ridge and the Continental Divide, receives moderate use and is rated more difficult. Areas of interest are the old brick kilns, where charcoal was made from local timber and used for fuel.

  1 1/2 miles from Mitchell Creek, there is a public use tent which provides a nice place to stop for lunch or rest. Just past the tent, the trail follows the Wurtz Ditch Road for half mile. Consequently, the trail returns back into heavy forests and returns back to the original trailhead.
  
  There are several tours available from the south side of Tennessee Pass. Also, the trails are the first ones to get snow due to their elevation. The trails are maintained and signed by the Pike/San Isabel National Forest. The Blue diamonds in the trees mark the trails.

  
  TRAIL TIPS

  Obtain current avalanche information at 970-827-5687.

  BACKCOUNTRY RESPONSIBILITY

  It is your responsibility to be aware of the potential risks and to take safety precautions at all times when you visit the National Forest. Changing terrain and weather conditions present a wide variety of hazards. Hazards include, but are not limited to: severe weather; snow and avalanches; obstacles of all kinds such as rocks, trees and stumps; over exertions, hypothermia, and becoming lost; remnants of mining and other activities involving excavations and debris; and exposure to unreasonable acts of other people.