The SNEFFELS HALF LOOP Has Been Canceled for the 2013 Season
The 4th ‘Running’ of the Sneffels Half Loop has been canceled. This is a tremendously fun and healthy community event and we hope to be able to offer it again in the future. Our sincerest thanks go out to all who helped create such a great event, and we apologize to all those who were looking forward to it again this year!
Here is what the event was and hopefully will be again ……
This event can be done as an epic all out endeavor or as a supported tour through the beautiful San Juan Mountains while benefiting the Mount Sneffels Education Foundation.
Submit a Sneffels Half Loop Registration Form to San Juan Hut Systems, Inc. and pay an entry of $100 per participant (for either course). This is an individual event. Call San Juan Hut Systems, Inc to acquire your Registration Form, to make your payment or for more information! 970.626.3033!
Don’t want to ski the full or short course?….we NEED VOLUNTEERS!!! EMT’s, WFR’s, Hut Station Aids. Volunteers and participants will receive Free Complimentary Hut Stay for Two at any of San Juan Hut Systems five huts (in addition to their time at the hut for those volunteering).
Why should you do the Sneffels Half Loop? To Benefit the Mount Sneffels Education Foundation and to get your Arse off the sofa and out in the beautiful backcountry.
EVENT DESCRIPTION: The Sneffels Half Loop is a backcountry Nordic ski event that takes place on the Alder Creek and Dallas Trail Systems along the base of the Mount Sneffels Range in the San Juan Mountains. The start is located near the town of Telluride and the finish is at County Road 5 / Elk Meadows, near the town of Ridgway. This backcountry trail moves quickly through Aspen/Spruce forest with unmatched views of the North Faces of the twenty 13,000-foot peaks of the Sneffels Range. The trail changes quickly, moving left to right, and undulating up and down for the entire length.
FULL COURSE: Start is above Telluride at the Last Dollar Hut Trailhead. Finish is County Road 5 / Elk Meadows (Burn/Ridgway Hut Trailhead). This option includes two mountain passes: the first is a 2,000-foot ascent up to Last Dollar Pass; the second is a 1,000-foot climb up to Wilson Creek Summit.
Total Distance: 30.5 miles Total Ascent: 5,990′ Total Descent: 7,250′
SHORT COURSE: Start is above Telluride at Last Dollar Hut Trailhead. Finish is at The Blue Lakes Hut Trailhead.This course option includes the first 2,000-foot climb up to Last Dollar Pass and drops down to the Blue Lakes Hut Trailhead. A shuttle will pick skiers up and take them to the Full Course finish at County Road 5 / Elk Meadows.
Total Distance: 24 miles Total Ascent: 3, 990′ Total Descent: 5, 490′
START TIME: February 23rd, approximately 6 a.m.
START LOCATION: Last Dollar Hut Trailhead (Located above the Telluride Airport)
FINISH LINE: Country Road 5 / Elk Meadows, which serves as the trailhead for San Juan Hut Systems Burn Hut and Ridgway Hut and is six miles outside of Ridgway, with a Post-Event Party location TBA.
COST: $100/participant (after February 10th 1 +$20). Event-day registration is accepted.
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS: Huts within the San Juan Hut Systems will be used as aid stations. Each participant must carry an avalanche transceiver and headlamp. Shovels and probes are optional. Any and all types of skis are allowed from AT to “toothpicks and tennis shoes.”
PRE-EVENT DINNER/ PARTICIPANT CHECK-IN: Dinner and pre-event meeting to be held in Ridgway, location/time TBA. Weather forecast, course conditions, any and all questions will be covered. Overnight accommodations are available at the Ridgway Elementary School. Dinner and accommodations are included in the entry fee.
PARKING: Free parking is available at the Ridgway Elementary School and free shuttle services to race start and back to town.
COURSE MARKING: The course is marked with Blue Diamonds and orange flagging on trees.
CUT-OFF TIMES: Cut off times for each checkpoint (hut) will be established and announced at the Pre-Event briefing.
AID STATIONS: Four huts will be used as aid stations and as mandatory check-in points. Water, hot and cold drinks, and food including energy bars, bagels and cream cheese, PB&J, cheese and trail mix will be available.
PARTICIPANT SAFETY: Patrol people will be stationed at two potential avalanche path crossings. To mitigate danger, skiers will be detoured around the first by direction of a stationed patrol person. The second avy area requires a mandatory one-at-a-time skier crossing with patrol monitoring crossings.
TRAINING: Pre-Event course recon. We encourage all participants to come out and check out the trails to become familiar with terrain and appropriate ski gear. Contact SJHS for more info.
