Nestled between two popular ski-touring drainages, North Tenmile Creek and South Willow Creek, Meadow Creek seems to have escaped the attention of most ski-touring guidebook authors. This may be due in part to the fact that the trail climbs an unrelenting 2,000 feet in little more than 3 miles, limiting its appeal to advanced skiers and snowshoers.
For those who persevere though, the tour rewards with pristine meadows surrounded by spectacular summits. When conditions permit, the tour can be extended to the south to connect with North Tenmile Creek or continued up to Eccles Pass to the north. In addition, plenty of telemarking terrain can be found on the surrounding hillsides. The tour described here has little if any exposure to avalanche danger, but the surrounding slopes can have considerable danger. Use good judgment.
Hike description
The tour reveals its character right from the start as you climb from the trailhead at a steady grade that, depending on snow conditions, may be better tackled with climbing skins.
The trail will be very well tracked to the Lilypad Lake Trail junction at 0.5 miles. Most people turn right and head toward the lake, but we stay straight. Shortly after the Lilypad Lake Trail junction and just before the Eagles Nest Wilderness boundary there is another, unsigned junction where we stay straight (right). The relentless climb continues, reaching and crossing to the north side of Meadow Creek after 1.3 miles.
The trail climbs steadily, paralleling the creek perhaps 100 feet below. It isn’t until mile 2.1 that you will reach the first clearing. Take a look back at the views of Grays and Torreys.
Continue west as the trees become more open and the grade eases. The summer trail eventually curves northwest toward Eccles Pass. Choose one of the meadows around the 3.5-mile mark as your destination and enjoy the scenery.
The run back down, depending on conditions, can be wonderful or “character-building.” Competent telemarkers are likely to look for routes through the trees rather than barreling down the trail. Just keep an eye open for tree stumps and rocks, and don’t stray too far from the trail.
Dave Cooper is the author of “Colorado Scrambles: A Guide to 50 Select Climbs in Colorado’s Mountains.”
The details
Getting to the trailhead: Drive to the east Frisco exit off Interstate 70 (Exit 203). From the traffic circle take the dirt road southwest (not the private road), paralleling I-70 for 0.6 miles to a parking area by the trailhead
Hike statistics: Trailhead to the end of the tour at 11,200 feet: 2,000 feet of total elevation gain in 3.5 miles one way.
Difficulty: An advanced ski tour, possibly requiring climbing skins and definitely requiring strong downhill skills. A moderate snowshoe outing.
USGS Quad: Frisco, CO, Vail Pass, CO
