Molas Pass Winter Recreation Area•San Juan National Forest

00:00     Title
00:15     Pinkerton Hot Springs
01:15     Molas Lake Park & Campground
04:40     Little Molas Lake Winter Recreation Area
08:15     Cascade Creek & Flume
12:50     Hermosa Creek Campground
17:10     Junction Creek Campground
19:05     Fin

A winter vacation getaway to the Colorado Rocky Mountains does not have to be a pricey venture. The mass media tends to only focus upon the flashy expensive ski lodge resorts that offer every convenience, so many people mistakenly visualize the Colorado winter vacation experience as being one that will quickly drain the bank account. Because the ski resort advertisements are just about all that an outsider will see, it is easy to assume that the ski lodge scene is all that Colorado has to offer, but in reality the opposite is true. The national forests offer plenty of low budget snow season options and the best part is there will likely be no long waiting lines! 

For those who wish to escape from the rat race, finding a winter destination that offers some freedom to roam is like music to the ears. There are national forest winter recreation areas that are free to visit and some even offer winter camping options. A national forest destination is usually in a natural wilderness setting, which will please those who desire peace and quiet. 

The Molas Pass Winter Recreation Area is located on the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) about 6.5 miles south of Silverton. This official San Juan National Forest Recreation Area is easy to spot and there is ample roadside parking. The Molas Pass Recreation Area features camping next to Little Molas Lake, snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing and a gradual downhill slope that is perfect for sleds. This lake can freeze over, so be sure to pack the skates.

There is a dirt access road that runs about one mile to the Little Molas Lake Campsite, but this road is subject to closure if the conditions are bad. Even on a good day, a high ground clearance 4x4 is recommended for this dirt road, because of the muddy conditions. For those who drive two wheel drive passenger cars, parking by the paved highway is the best option on wet days.

There are rolling hilltop slopes on both sides of the highway at the Molas Pass Recreation Area that are perfect for sleds, saucers and toboggans.  The snowshoe hiking trails are easy to navigate, because these trails are maintained as foot paths during the summer season.  Cross-country skiers are quick to cut trails after a good snow storm, so the ski trails are usually easy to spot. Then there is also the picturesque Little Molas Lake with tall snow capped mountain peaks in the background, which is a splendid sight to see. For this reason, the Molas Pass Winter Recreation Area is well worth checking out!