Hello Skiers,
On Saturday, January 26, Ruth Bargman-Romero and Sam Beard will lead a Ski Club outing to the Corral Canyon area in the Jemez Mountains. There will be opportunities for a beginner class, Class I tours, and self-led Class II tours.
On Wed., Jan. 23, Ruth and Sam skied for four hours in this area locating the site for the beginner class, skiing half-way to Junction Meadow on the Calzada Trail, and skiing a route to the west in Corral Creek Meadow. The attached Word
document shows photos of the lower part of Corral Canyon and the meadows to the west where Class I skiers may go. The snow was about 24 inches deep with about 3 inches of new snow. The round-trip distances and elevation changes for the routes skied Wednesday
(where skiers may go Saturday) were -- Hwy to Lesson Area: 0.5 mile and 40 feet; Lesson Area/Calzada: 1 mile and 200 feet; and Lesson Area/Corral Creek Trail: 1.7 miles and 140 feet.
A. Beginner Class -- The short beginner class will be conducted in the long meadow in the bottom of Corral Canyon about one-quarter mile from the parking lot. Kick and glide will be practiced on the road to the lesson site
where the emphasis will be on skiing downhill, traversing, and making turns.
B. Self-led Class I Tours -- Class I skiers who do not want to attend the class may ski to the east on Calzada Trail if they are experienced enough to follow the tracks set Wed., can climb, ski on a hillside, and descend
back to the lesson area without a formal leader. Less experienced Class I skiers may ski an easy trail to the west from the canyon through meadows following tracks set Wed. parallel to the highway. This route is about 1.7 mile round trip.
C. Class I Tours Led by Ruth or Sam -- After the class, Ruth and Sam will lead Class I tours on Calzada Trail to the east and the easier Corral Creek Trail to the west. Beginners may practice in the lesson area and on the
road from the highway to the lesson area.
D. Self-led Class II Tours -- Class II skiers may self-lead tours on Calzada Trail and Corral Canyon Trails that lead to the south for round trip tours of 2 miles to 4 miles with elevation changes up to 600 feet if they
get to Tee Intersection. These tours are for very experienced Class II skiers only.
Meet at 8 am at the Target Store at the intersection of I-25N and Paseo del Norte. If you plan to ride with another driver, bring $15 for gas expenses. Be prepared for a day on the snow with ski equipment, warm clothes, food, and drinks.
We will carpool. There is limited parking space; therefore, it will help to have fewer cars. We will park straight in so that more cars may park there.
If you are renting equipment, it is advisable to reserve it or pick it up by Friday noon at Sportz Systems on Montgomery west of Louisiana.
We are looking forward to a very enjoyable day on the snow!
Ruth and Sam