Snowmobiling On Christmas Day

[Mark]

Snowmobiling in the Rocky Mountains has always been on my bucket list. So I talked a fellow teacher who I've taken a few summer vacations with into going to Colorado this Christmas break for a snowmobiling vacation. After researching for a few months, we decided on the Grand Mesa on the western slope about 40 miles south of Grand Junction, CO, (although Yellowstone would have been our first choice but was too far to drive with only a week to spend). The Grand Mesa area is somewhere we have never been to and was one place where there would be plenty of snow over Christmas.

Ads claim that the Grand Mesa is the longest flat top mountain in the world although I read someplace that is debatable. Regardless, nearing Grand Junction on I-70, the Grand Mesa is obvious in the distance and certainly appears to be a long stretch of forest land that shoots up out of the Grand Juction Valley and appears to be flat from the distance. After stopping in Palisades for groceries, we headed up the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. The Byway leads through four climate zones, from the high plains desert of the valley, thru sections of buttes and sheer red rock cliffs, thru a zone with orchards and numerous wineries, and finally into the subalpine full of aspen trees and eventually huge 100 foot plus pine trees. We didn't encounter any snow until we reached the top of the Mesa where suddenly 3 to 4 feet of snow on the ground was evident. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway certainly lived up to it's reputation.

We missed our turn to the lodge and were practically down the opposite side of the mountain before we pulled off at a shop and got directions. But we were early to check in anyway, so we didn't mind the scenery. We made it to the lodge and our rustic, very small cabin, nestled in the Grand Mesa National Forest. Thunder Mountain Lodge had a restaurant and bar, and was situated on Deep Ward Lake. The Grand Mesa is a summer vacation locale as well, with over 300 lakes on top of the Mesa. There are three lodges with cabin rentals within 2 or 3 miles of each other. A few of the largest lakes have private cabins around them, but for the most part, the top of the Mesa is all National Forest public ground.

No sooner than the sun set, it began to snow. We made our way to the bar to unwind and visited with the owners and get the rundown on area. After Happy Hour, we walked back to our cabin and we had already gotten 6" of new snow. We woke up Christmas Eve morning excited and a bit apprehensive with it still snowing hard. Our snowmobile rental guy, Mike, met us and discussed our options. He was reluctant to let two first timers head out in a snowstorm, as the forecast was for snow the rest of the day. We agreed to wait until Christmas Day with a forecast for clear skies and hired Mike for a halfday guide to show us the ropes. He said the snow groomer would go out overnight and begin grooming the trails. Glad we did hire him to guide!

After a day hunkered down in the cabin, watching Netfliks, (no TV), we woke up to clear skies, a balmy 4 degrees, and 20" of fresh powder. We met Mike at his Grand Mesa Lodge up the road and he had a buddy to ride along as tail runner. Mike took the lead and plowed through a 4 ft. bank of snow heading out of the parking lot and took off like a bat outta hell. We figured he wanted us to keep up so we took off much faster than we anticipated on an ungroomed trail, snow flying, but I was surprised how easy it was riding the snowmobile. Just like a four wheeler - gas and brake. Despite it's name and appearance from a distance, the Grand Mesa is not flat on top. Up and down hills and valleys, twisting thru the snow covered elegant pines, it reminded me of riding on gravel roads in Ozarks, except for the much taller pines and 500 foot snow covered peaks surrounding the trail. Mike would stop at scenic overlooks to regroup and allow us to take pictures.

Like I said, the snowmobiles were surprisingly easy to ride. They also had hand and feet warmers, and the rentals included ski suits and helmets. We were prepared and never once got cold all day.

On a hairpin turnaround, both Terry and I buried our machines in deep snow. Glad we had our guides. They showed us how to dig them out and get going again, although it was alot of work. Terry almost passed out, we were both feeling the effects of the 10,000 foot altitude. But after about 10 minutes of packing the snow down around the machines and lifting them up on the packed snow, we got them out and were off again. Looking down at the speedometer, I was going over 40 mph on long straightaways. Mike then took us on the groomed trails. The Sunlight to Powderhorn Snowmobile Trail is the main highway across the Mesa. Short spurs and loops disect off of the SP Trail. After a couple hours with Mike and his buddy, we felt comfortable that we would be OK if we stayed on the groomed trails.

So we were off on our own the rest of the day. The trails are endless, something like over 300 miles of trails on the Mesa and plenty of off trail boondoggling (new word) for the experienced. We covered about 70 miles on Christmas Day, with each trail and each turn offering awe inspiring sights. At one point, mountains in Utah were visible. While we would goose the machines occasionally on straightaways, Terry and I were perfectly content to putt along at 15-20 mph most of the afternoon.

Interestingly, one of the largest lakes, Alexander Lake, which had a small community of maybe 50 private cabins and homes, had a local bar and grill that was along the snowmobile trail. It was obvious that it was a regular stop for snowmobilers on the trail and was the center of activity on the Mesa, even an ad outside for Live Music. But we were having too much fun riding and didn't stop.

We were suppose to ride again the next day. But when we woke up, it was snowing hard again and that night was our last night in the cabin. Our rental SUV was suppose to be all wheel drive, but when we got stuck in our parking lot, we figured out it was only front wheel drive. After talking to the people in our lodge, the forecast was for 2 feet of snow lasting for 24-36 hours. We worried about not being able to get off the Mesa for another couple of days and decided to skip our second day of riding and get off the mountain while we could.

So I can check another one off my bucket list, although I would definitely do it again. One of the funnest experiences I have ever had. And we found out that the Grand Mesa Lodge will pick customers up at the Grand Junction airport an hour away and take you back. Next time, the heck with that 20 hour drive, I'm flying in. Or maybe Yellowstone now that I have some experience.

Definitely worth the effort and expense to spend Christmas Day at 10,000 feet on a snowmobile. An amazing experience!