Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Gaskill

GaskillPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.4 mi
distance
164 ft
climb
8,875 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Gaskill is a cross-country skiing route in Colorado on Snow Mountain Ranch, a land unit managed by a non-governmental organization. The trail stretches about 1.4 miles and gains roughly 164 feet, with the high point at 8,875 feet and the low at 8,654 feet. The climb is moderate, and the steepest section comes at about 0.94 miles in, with a 12% grade. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station, which sits about 315 feet below the high point, show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June and July run warmer, in the low 70s by day. The station's elevation makes it a fair guide, though temperatures on the trail run slightly cooler. Columbine and Milligan are both cross-country ski routes within a few tenths of a mile. Climbers can head to the Grand County / Fraser Valley area, about 3 miles away, and St. Louis Creek Campground lies about 5.6 miles off for overnight stays.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Gaskill

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / -1°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 2°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 11°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 20°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 27°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 33°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 38°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 37°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 29°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 21°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 10°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / -1°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fraser, CO, 7 mi away at 8,560 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Donner PassPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors