Hello Skiers,

On Sunday, Feb. 4, Michael Arndt and I will lead a Class II cross country ski outing on Corral Canyon Trail in the Jemez Mountains. We will park at the Corral Canyon Trailhead that is located in the National Forest on the south side of NM-4 about one-half mile east of Las Conchas Fishing Access and about one-half mile west of the west end of Valle Grande on the VCNP.

From the parking lot on NM-4 at 8640 feet elevation,  we will ski up the moderately steep Corral Canyon Trail to Junction Meadow and turn to the east and continue up to Forest Road-282. We then turn to the west and ski to the overlook at 9450 feet elevation where we will have lunch and a view of the Sandia Mountains to the south. After lunch we will ski down the north side the ridge and around the mountain to Tee Intersection at 9192 feet elevation. We then follow FR-280 back to the highway. The round trip distance is about 5 miles, and the elevation change is 810 feet.

This is an outing for experienced skiers only and is not appropriate for beginning skiers and skiers with limited experience.

Meet at 8 am on the west side of the Target parking lot SE of the intersection of Paseo del Norte and I-25N. Dress warmly and bring snacks, lunch, drinks, ski equipment, and MaxiGlide to prevent icing on the ski bottoms. Due to the steepness of parts of the route, some skiers may want the ski up (and down) with skins. We will car pool.

We will arrive at the trailhead at 9:45 to 10:00. Skiers from Santa Fe and Los Alamos should email me to let me know to expect them. Please email me if you need more directions to the trailhead.

Email me if you have questions. samgbeard@msn.com

Sam Beard, Trails Chair

NM Cross Country Ski Club