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#10 on this list
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Snowshoeing and winter mountaineering under Longs Peak.
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#1 on this list
Sedona
Arizona
Crisp sunny days on red rock trails before spring crowds.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Rocky Mountain National Park | Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Front Range, Colorado | — |
| Elevation Range | 7,860 to 14,259 feet | — |
| Winter Road Access | Bear Lake Road plowed; Trail Ridge Road closed | — |
| Permit System | Standard park pass; timed entry suspended in winter | — |
| Avalanche Forecast | CAIC Front Range zone | — |
| February Temperatures | Highs in mid-20s, lows frequently below zero | — |
| Elevation | — | 4,350 to 5,600 feet |
| February Temps | — | High 60°F / Low 35°F |
| Jurisdiction | — | Coconino National Forest |
| Required Pass | — | Red Rock Pass or Interagency Pass |
| Trail Network | — | 400+ miles of multi-use singletrack |
| Transit | — | Free trailhead shuttles run Thu-Sun |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Rocky Mountain National Park
- No timed-entry reservation required during winter months
- Consistently plowed vehicle access to high-elevation trailheads
- Exceptional alpine scenery and snowshoeing beneath Longs Peak
- Deep, dry powder on the quiet western slope for Nordic touring
- Brutal winds above treeline that regularly exceed gale force
- Unstable continental snowpack requiring careful avalanche management
- Trail Ridge Road closure limits cross-park vehicle transit
Sedona
- Substantially thinner crowds and easier trailhead parking than peak spring
- Crisp midday temperatures create ideal friction and endurance conditions on slickrock
- Spectacular contrast when brief winter dustings of snow cap red rock towers
- Direct access to hundreds of miles of technical singletrack right from town
- Shaded north-facing routes and canyon floors remain slick with ice and mud
- Sub-freezing overnight temperatures rule out casual lightweight tent camping
- Unpaved forest access roads become impassable when wet
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