In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Peaceful Valley / Coney Flats Loop
07 March 2004
If you are looking for a full day outing with lots of kick ‘n’ glide and not too much elevation gain, this may be the one for you! It starts and ends at Peaceful Valley and is a nice loop, a long day’s workout, and lots of great scenery. It’s for these kind of outings that I moved to Colorado.
There is no need to hurry along this one, so relax, slow down and enjoy. But do plan on 5 or more hours.
Our outing starts at the Peaceful Valley Trailhead just off the Peak-to-Peak highway. The parking area can get crowded but if you arrive at 9AM or before, you can be assured of a parking spot.
Gear up and hike around the closed gate. A bit further, the Middle St Vrain Trailhead will be on your left. Now the fun starts! This trail is rolling and can be a bit dicey without much snow but today it was great fun! After a half-mile or so, there is a left hand turn which starts the steep climb up to Beaver Reservoir and you might want to add a bit of wax or put on skins (which is what I do) before continuing. It is pretty steep but there are many switchbacks and is a very pleasant pass thru a pine forest.
On good snow days, it is easy to over-wax. On bad days, you can’t seem to put on enough wax. I actually have not come down this trail in several years. It might be fun just after a big dump but even then it may be just a bit harrowing. Today the snow was wonderful, hard packed topped with about 3 new inches.
Just when it seems like I am out of steam, Beaver Reservoir comes into view. The remainder of the tour has some uphill, but none as steep.
Before long, we intersect the Coney Flats Road and the premier kick ‘n’ glide route of the front range, good for beginners with some skiing time and a treat for the veteran skier. The trail is well marked and follows the Coney Flats 4-wheel drive summer road.
Today, though, there are no vehicles to contend with. We are still in the trees, as we are for most of the trip, so this is a good destination for windy days. After a mile and half or so, there will be a fork. The road veers sharply to the left, and forward is a trail which is rolling but overall still up. Before long, you will pass by a cabin but heed the signs and remain on the trail and avoid going onto the private property. The trail winds and rolls and is more road-like, not narrow and skinny. It is also marked with blue diamonds and soon rejoins the road. This is a good place to stop and don your fierce weather gear and most likely the wind will be howling across the flats and the road back down to peaceful valley can be hard to find though the tell-tale sign is a gate across the road.
Don’t forget to look up and take in the wondrous views of Sawtooth Peak and the Middle St Vrain drainage.
First, approach the Coney Flats Trailhead where there is one of those 3-part information signs. From that sign, ski north. The road is at an angle and definitely does not go beyond the wilderness boundary and at some point there is a gate across it. Locate the road and continue on and it will soon become definitely down-hill. Before long, we are at the bottom at the road up from Peaceful Valley. Today, a nice, fast run! Turn right and proceed back to the parking lot, about 5 miles.