Winter Hut Trip with the Fam

Ben’s dad, with the Sawatch Mountains in the background.

Routes staff, Ben Goodmen, went on a winter hut trip with his family over the Christmas 2022 holiday. Along with three other families, the Goodmen’s drove from Monument to Leadville - where they spent the night. The next morning, they drove past Ski Cooper and arrived at the Mineral Belt Trailhead with their Alpine Touring (AT) skis. AT skis, also known as backcountry skis, are similar to downhill skis. In order to go uphill, though, ‘skins’ can be placed on the bottoms and they have a pin binding - allowing the foot to move up and down. (Routes has AT skis for rent this winter!) 

Ben and his family and friends skied for about 5 miles, taking 4-5 hours, until arriving at the Fowler-Hilliard Hut, part of the 10th Mountain Hut Division. For the last 7 years, Ben and his family have reserved and stayed in a 10th Mountain Division hut through a lottery based system. In 2020, they got off to a late start and couldn’t find the hut in the dark. They had to bed down in the snow, under a tree for the night, in freezing temperatures. 

The Fowler-Hilliard Hut, built in 1988, sits at 11,500 feet.

On this trip in 2022, they stayed three nights. During the day, they skied around the hut in fresh powder, taking in the amazing views, but making sure each person had a shovel, beacon, and probe in case of an avalanche. Each family took turns cooking meals, the hut had a common area to play games together, and adults and kids alike congregated around the wood-burning fire. The last morning, they departed and the descent back to the trailhead only took about an hour. 

Family MTB Trip to Fruita and Grand Junction

Kier riding the Horsethief Bench trail.

In May of 2021, Kier Eastvold (RO staff) drove with his parents and sister five hours from The Springs to Fruita and Grand Junction to shred some of the finest trails in Colorado. 

The 1st day, Kier and his dad biked Horsethief Bench. The trail included a double black diamond (most bikers have to walk this section!), and finished with a beautiful view overlooking the Colorado River. While the boys rode, Kier’s mom and sister spent a few hours at a local wake boarding park. That night, they all had dinner at the famous Hot Tomato pizzeria. 

The 2nd day, Kier rode 39 miles through the flowy and fast 18 Road trail system. Part way through the ride, though, his father’s frame broke (just casually riding down a single track!). He walked it five miles to the car and swapped it for his wife’s bike. At the time, Kier’s mom and sister were exploring downtown Fruita.  

The 3rd day, they packed up and left their Airbnb located just outside downtown Fruita. Kier’s dad rented a bike from a bike shop in Grand Junction and he and Kier rode the slick rock slabs on The Ribbon Trail. After, the fam made the drive back to The Springs.

Kier rides for Highlanders, the local composite high school team in The Springs. In 2022, he rode the iconic Moab in Utah with his coach and two friends. On the way back, they stopped in Fruita and Grand Junction and Kier led them on many of the same trails.