With heavy snow falling in the high country it’s time to grab your skies or snowshoes and head up to the Arapaho National Forest to enjoy a bit of fun on the many trails maintained by the Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association.

Grand Lake Trail Groomers Head Groomer Cameron Stone began Snowcat grooming operations in Nov. Now all the trails maintained by the Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association are open with the exception of the Grand Lake Town Trail, sometimes referred to as the North Supply Access Trail, which provides access from the Town of Grand Lake to the trail system. The Grand Lake Town Trail passes through a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and is under the purview of officials from RMNP who decide when to open the trail for the season.

For the Grand Lake Town Trail to open RMNP requires between 14 to 18 inches of snow that can be mechanically packed to a thickness of eight to 12 inches. The average opening date each year for opening of the Grand Lake Town Trail is Dec. 15.

Trails currently being groomed during this early stage in the season include: Lower Kawuneeche Road, Middle Kawuneeche Road, Upper Kawuneeche Road, North Supply Loop, Pony Park Trail, Pony Park Meadows, Lower Stillwater Road, Upper Stillwater Road, North Stillwater Road, North Stillwater Road Kiosk, Gravel Mountain Trail and Lower Gravel Mountain Trail.