Free snowshoe tour, wine tasting to promote Vail’s proposed wilderness area

Get a firsthand preview of part of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act’s proposed addition to the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness on Saturday, Jan. 11 with the Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club.

See this pristine area on snowshoes and celebrate the Wolf Moon (the first full moon every year) with a beautiful day-time trek in Spraddle Creek, just north of the main Vail I-70 interchange.

The CORE Act, recently passed in the US House of Representatives, will protect 400,000 acres of our state’s wild lands, including Spraddle Creek. Snowshoers will experience one of the few roadless areas left within the Vail Valley and learn the value of protecting mid-elevation areas for wildlife habitat, water quality, and as a legacy for future generations.

This area protects the fragile headwaters of Spraddle and Middle Creeks, which flow into Gore Creek in Vail Village. The region is known to support populations of big horn sheep, the endangered Canadian lynx and Rocky Mountain goats.

Join long-time local and wilderness advocate Susie Kincade for this free, moderate snowshoe which meanders through meadows, aspen and fir forests, with one small creek crossing.

Enjoy the sheltered Spraddle Creek valley and then climb through aspen meadows to find beautiful views of Vail Mountain and Mt. of the Holy Cross in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area.

Expect about four miles of moderate snowshoeing over about four hours and elevation gain of 1200 feet. Factor in about 1-hour total shuttle time to and from the trailhead. Dress warmly in layers; and bring snowshoes/poles, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of water and lunch. This awesome, free snowshoe outing is limited so register soon: https://bit.ly/2QMRiFD

Meet at the North Trail lot in Vail at 9:30 a.m. and carpool to the trailhead at the Spraddle Creek stable.

Following the snowshoe, enjoy a wine tasting at Grappa Fine Wines in Vail Village, a proud business sponsor of the CORE Act.

Registration is required for this event as participation is limited. Register here: https://bit.ly/2QMRiFD

Contact the event leader if you need more detailed driving directions or information: Kent Abernethy, kabern.22@gmail.com, (970) 485-2081, or Susie Kincade, 970-328-5472.

Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.