wildernet

Cross-country Skiing: Colorado

Quick Facts

Guinn Mountain Cross-country Ski Trail

Beginning Elevation:	9,400 Feet (2865 Meters)
Difficulty:	Most Difficult
Elevation Gain:	1,680 Feet (523.7 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	11,080 Feet (3377 Meters) on top of Guinn Mtn.
Length, Round Trip:	10.4 Miles (16.7 Kilometers)
Usage:	Light
USGS Maps:	East Portal

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

This advanced level trail is an extension of the Jenny Creek Trail, beginning at Eldora Ski Area. Guinn Mountain rises up above timberline southeast of Yankee Doodle Lake. The Colorado Mountain Club maintains a hut near the top. Contact them for use information.

Follow the Jenny Creek Trail #808 description to mile 3.0 just beyond an inconspicuous branch creek coming down on your right. Turn right as the main trail forks to the left and follow the red flagging over the rising and falling Mountain side. You will pass an old cabin as the trail widens in the ravine. Switchback west above the ravine floor and follow the flagging into a long, east-west meadow to the Guinn Mountain Hut.

Directions from Nederland: Travel 0.6 mile south on Colorado Highway 119. Turn right (west) on County Road #130 and follow the signs to Eldora Ski Area. Bear left at the turn-off for Eldora Cross Country Ski Trails. Park in the east lot.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Winter Season: Mid-December through April .

		Current Conditions & Trip Reports
		Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report Filed By: HBerdan Time of Day: all day Length of Time: RT to hut 6 hours Difficulty: Hard Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: Correct trail description; follow blue marked trail from Eldora XC center up left side of Ho Hum run; cross behind Little Hawk lift;enter Cheaters Corner and watch for USFS blue diamond trail signs. Trail turns right, away from XC center trails, climbs up small ridge west; at "T" intersection after 1 mile go left and then right, watch for signage. Trail drops sharply(!) for 1 mile to clearing. Go west at clearing(right) for 300 yards to signed "Guinn Mountain" trail. Climbs steeply through thick forest for about 2 miles to hut. Arestua Hut is in a small clearing to the south(left) of trail nestled in heavy trees, easy to miss in stormy conditions! Conditions: Trail is fully covered with snow. South facing parts of lower trail can be icy. Trail is very steep and narrow in many places and requires solid intermediate or better XC skiing skills! Water Availability: Only available water is what-you-carry and snowmelt. Jenny Creek flows year round but water from this source must be treated. Recommended Clothing: Wool and or synthetic clothing is best. Always sunny in Colorado! This area can be extremely windy at times, do not be discouraged at the trailhead if it is windy; once in the trees conditions are much better. Suggested Accessories: DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THIS TRAIL OR AT THE CABIN from Dec 1-April 30, per USFS regulations! Metal edged XC or telemark skis recommended. Skins highly recommended due to continuous steep and narrow trail. SNOWSHOERS should travel PARALLEL to ski tracks, not in them! Snowshoes damage ski tracks! Please be courteous!