During cold weather months, hiking doesn’t stop atop the Grand Mesa — all you need to explore its quiet, snow-covered groves is a pair of snowshoes and a thirst for adventure. Amateur and seasoned snowshoers love to hike virtually anywhere cross-country skiers explore, including the groomed GMNC trail system, as long as snowshoers walk next to — not on — the groomed Nordic trails.
If the only thing keeping you from forging a snowy path is the lack of footwear required to walk on it, rest assured Grand Junction’s Board & Buckle or REI can assist you with rental equipment.
Wander off on the ungroomed West Bench Trail for a cross-country trek through aspens and spruce, and amazing views of the Powderhorn Ski Area.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort also has about 10 miles of snowshoe trails, and for snowshoers looking for more, the resort is only a short drive from the vast network of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails on top of Grand Mesa.
A series of interconnected trails wind among the lakes around the resort, and the longer West Bench Trail takes skiers and snowshoers from Mesa Lakes to the top of Powderhorn. Mesa Lakes Lodge also rents cross-country and snowshoe equipment, as well as snowmobiles. (Although snowmobiles aren't allowed in the skiing and snowshoeing areas, the resort grooms a snowmobile trail to the top of Grand Mesa, where snowmobilers can find miles of fun).
For more information on winter activities in Grand Junction, visit page 28 of the Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide.