Snowshoe Approach

3.0 ( 1 )

Trail

0.6 mile 0.9 kilometer point to point
Ascent
Intermediate/Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 813' 248 m
Descent: -19' -6 m
High: 10,734' 3,272 m
Low: 9,921' 3,024 m

Grade

Avg Slope: 28% (15°)
Max Slope: 57% (29°)

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Trail shared by J. Bella

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Popular ski lines nearby

South view from Avalanche Ridge, Long Canyon's west ridge ~ Frazer Mountain, Wheeler Peak, West Simpson, Sin Nombre, Fairview and Kachina Peak.

Hallway

0.9 mi 1.4 km • -1,741 ft Descent • -530.52 m Descent

(1) Taos Sk…, NM

Finding the white room on some groomed out hardpack

Porcupine

0.6 mi 0.9 km • -789 ft Descent • -240.54 m Descent

(1) Taos Sk…, NM

Autumn snow on Longhorn

Longhorn

0.7 mi 1.2 km • -1,424 ft Descent • -434.11 m Descent

(1) Taos Sk…, NM

Elevator

0.2 mi 0.3 km • -328 ft Descent • -99.99 m Descent

(1) Arroyo…, NM

Feature known as the Root Ball in 006

Wildy 1 - Big Al's Run

0.4 mi 0.6 km • -926 ft Descent • -282.11 m Descent

(1) Taos Sk…, NM

Large avalanche in Wildy 1 which occurred between January 17th and 20th 2018. This is one of the reasons Taos Ski Valley doesn't have backcountry gates and has a closed boundary policy. This is the first chute south of the ski area on Kachina Peak.

Wildy 2

0.3 mi 0.5 km • -885 ft Descent • -269.75 m Descent

(1) Taos Sk…, NM

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“A moderate climb through south-facing aspen and pine forests with great views of Taos Ski Valley.”

— J. Bella

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

Start at the Bull of the Woods Trail in the parking lot by the Twining Campground. After 0.5-0.6 miles, leave the trail and head uphill into the forest; make a switchback to the southwest and traverse uphill, beneath some steep south-facing terrain. Continue through the forest towards an aspen-filled gully. Switchback up this gully until the slope angle lessens, then head northeast into a stand of conifer trees. Continue on an uphill traverse through the pines until they open up onto a slightly steeper slope. Climb this slope and top out on an open area on the ridge above the Snowshoe Couloir.

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Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Carson National Forest

Sep 12, 2019: Forest Service Hiring Temporary Positions for 2020 Field Season

Sep 12, 2019: Gov. Lujan Grisham, Carson National Forest announce 2019 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest

Sep 12, 2019: Firing Operations Aim to Protect Rio Pueblo Watershed

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Trail Ratings

3.0 from 1 vote

#5

in Taos

#362

Overall

3.0 from 1 vote

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Ascent Rankings

#5

in Taos

#16

#362

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50 Since Jan 15, 2018

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Photos

Where does it go? The Snowshoe Couloir is not for the faint-of-heart.

Jan 15, 2018 near Taos Sk…, NM

Trail to the Snowshoe Couloir

Jan 28, 2018 near Taos Sk…, NM

@_yourmyboyblue looks on as @rayrose9990 navigates an icy bed surface in the Snowshoe Couloir, after much of the chute sluffed out

Jan 15, 2018 near Taos Sk…, NM

The Snowshoe Couloir

Jan 15, 2018 near Taos Sk…, NM

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