CO > Front Range > Jan-Feb: Fourth Annual Colorado Winter Hang Planning Thread

**OutandBack** · 01-07-2013, 10:10

Originally Posted by Isheian

Hopefully my gear will arrive in time for this! I should be fine... So long as there is wood to burn. I just found this and was kinda hoping for the wolf preserve again, but this sounds cool as well. Plus anyplace vetted by OnB has to be worth a look see. And i dont have classes friday thru sunday. Should be able to make it, like 89%...

Whats the stats? Water available assuming snow is lacking? Driving directions or way to find them? Also, anyone heading up from colorado springs, it be useful to have someone to follow up.

No water source this time of year. I'm scouting the area this coming weekend so will have snow conditions to report. There is lots of wood.

Originally Posted by fartingOWL

I'm in. Gotta get back to my natural habitat

fO it will be great to hang with you again.

**OutandBack** · 01-07-2013, 10:29

The parking and campground are very easy to find.
They are right on Hwy 285 at the top of Kenosha Pass.
There is lots of signage at the top of the pass.
The car camp ground for Friday night is on the East side of the road.
The planned hike backcountry hang for Saturday is about 1 mile West.

**Isheian** · 01-07-2013, 12:30

So what's the plan for water with it below freezing, and possibly not just lying on the ground?

**trailryder42** · 01-08-2013, 21:27

Originally Posted by Isheian

So what's the plan for water with it below freezing, and possibly not just lying on the ground?

I guess bring what you think you'd need if there was no other sources, then pack in the necessary amount once you get there and see conditions. Then sleep with your water at night to prevent it from freezing, unless Bob knows another trick.

I see the temp is forecasted to be a high of 12* with 40-50% chance of up to 1" of snow.

**Isheian** · 01-09-2013, 00:43

Originally Posted by trailryder42

I guess bring what you think you'd need if there was no other sources, then pack in the necessary amount once you get there and see conditions. Then sleep with your water at night to prevent it from freezing, unless Bob knows another trick.

I see the temp is forecasted to be a high of 12* with 40-50% chance of up to 1" of snow.

Gah?! So two 6 gallon containers full to use and share may be a bad idea.....

so much to learn about winter camping.

**OutandBack** · 01-09-2013, 11:23

Originally Posted by trailryder42

I guess bring what you think you'd need if there was no other sources, then pack in the necessary amount once you get there and see conditions. Then sleep with your water at night to prevent it from freezing, unless Bob knows another trick.

I see the temp is forecasted to be a high of 12* with 40-50% chance of up to 1" of snow.

That's my plan.
I like using thick nalgene 1L bottles and metal bottles that can be set by the fire to thaw them. Over night I'll bury the nalgene's in the snow, top down.

For my morning coffee and breakfast I'll put water in my pot and don't really care if it freezes. It just takes a little longer to boil. In winter you don't want to skimp on fuel. Melting snow and bringing frozen water to a boil takes a lot so I double what I think i'll need.
============

Weather forecast for this weekends scout trip looks pretty bad with that big cold front coming in. I'll decide Sat morning if the scout trip is on. I might just take a drive up there, snap a few picts and head home.

Colorado weather is so hard to predict I want to post again if we do not get good weather( blue skies, no wind, 30/10F) for the first week in Feb I don't want to try a hang at Kenosha, been there done that, no fun.

I want to apologize to those thinking of driving any distance to attend this hang for being so up in the air about canceling or moving the date of this hang.
Anyone that lives on the front range of the Rocky Mountains knows a winter camp out can turn into a survival test pretty darn fast. It's the wind.

**Isheian** · 01-09-2013, 11:26

Should we have a fall back location incase of foul weather?

**OutandBack** · 01-09-2013, 12:02

Should Kenosha Pass be too windy the alternate location will be White Ranch.

Info and map to White Ranch
http://jeffco.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R57.htm

1 mile hike in from parking lot.
Free camping, cut and split wood is provided.
No water source unless there's snow on the ground.
Nice day hiking/snowshoeing trails with open views.

**Just Jeff** · 01-09-2013, 12:14

For a backup, anyone want to consider the campground on the AF Academy? Here are a few benefits:
- It's right off the interstate and the roads are likely to be clean if snow moves in.
- There are plenty of day hike or overnight opportunities. I'll volunteer to lead a hike up Eagles Peak, subject to weather. Pretty amazing view of the Academy and Colorado Springs. Bring binos and probably YakTrax. We could all hike up, and anyone who wants to camp up there can stay overnight...you can see an amazing sunrise but you have to time it right b/c it's COLD AND WINDY on the exposed peak. Camping spots are pretty well protected, though. It has a small stream but I don't know the status...should be plenty of snow and ice to melt, though.
- It's a tourist thing, if anyone wants to visit. I could show y'all around the terrazzo where normal tourists don't get to go.
- It's open to the public from the gate to the campground (by the stadium) and to the Visitor Center (where we would park for the day hike). Just need a driver's license.
- It's near restaurants for the after-hang lunch.
- It has wi-fi for updating HF about the hang.

Downsides:
- It's mainly an RV campground, but it has lots of trees. We'd likely have some company with folks asking about hammocks.
- There's a railroad track relatively close.
- No firearms on federal installations, if that's a concern for you. But we have cops with M-4s so you should be safe.
- It has wi-fi for updating HF about the hang.

Obviously it's not a wilderness thing like we usually do, but it's a fair backup plan if y'all want to consider it. It should be open no matter what the weather does, and there's a lot of flexibility for Saturday hike/camp if weather is good.

I'll check on any issues with hanging hammocks if y'all are interested, but I don't expect any prohibitions.

**OutandBack** · 01-09-2013, 12:19

There is tons of great winter hammock kit / sleeping gear need to stay warm over night here on HF.net but not much talk about clothing esp around camp in winter.

The system I have used for the past 4 winters has proven very warm.
When hiking I wear silk long underwear, thick nylon pants, silk LS top, micro fleese 1/4 zip pull over, and heavy wool top shirt (boreal shirt) wool socks, winter hiking boots with gaiters, light wool gloves. For my head a wool watchmans cap and sun glasses.

In camp after chores are done I'll change my socks to dry ones, remove the heavy wool over shirt(boreal) and slip on syn over pants and a heavy down jacket.

disregard the knee, elbow pads, and helmet they are for winter bike packing.