White River National Forest
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Having left Rocky Mountain National Park due to increasing avalanche risk from snowfall, we decided to attempt an avalanche safe mountain, Quandary Peak in the White River Forest. Our ascent would start from the Quandary Trailhead and use the East Ridge Route. We parked our vehicle at the trailhead and hiked a few miles into the forest and set up our tent for the night. The next morning, a number of parties had already moved up the mountain past our tent. Not long after, our group set out for the peak. Quandary Peak is considered one of the safest to climb due to its very low, gradual ascent. I sarcastically refer to the peak as “The Doorjam”. It was maybe a 4-5 hour slog up this mountain with very deep snow. Snowboarders were postholing every step up the mountain to obtain the enjoyable descent on a board. Our group, with snowshoes were methodically and strenuously plodding away. Eventually, we reached the top, but with the overcast sky, there was little scenery to enjoy. It was largely an obscure white blanket around us. After some short snacks, we descended down the peak while the snowboarders had a marvelous time swaying down the extremely long slope to the bottom.