[Journal Entry for March 13-14, 2010]. [Saturday] Dallas and I drove up to Keystone Ski Area from Denver in the morning. The day was perfectly clear and the Rocky Mountains were spectacular. We took Route 6 through the winding and dramatic Loveland Pass, both because it is shorter than Interstate 70 and because the scenery is spectacular. We met Hannah, Josh and John and spent two days skiing at the Keystone Ski area.

The altitude here is high, with the Summit House on Dercum Mountain being at 11,640 feet. I could certainly feel the lack of oxygen! We spent the day sking mostly the northern face of Dercum Mountain, taking the River Run Gondala back up the summit. The Snake River flows past the base of the mountain. It has many beautiful marshy meadows. The pine trees on the mountain have been hard-hit by the Mountain Pine Beetle. Whole hillsidea are dead - shaded red from dried pine needles. The view to the high Rockies is spectacular. Many of the mountains have prominant cirques, amphithere-shaped valleys created by now-vanished glaciers.

We had a dinner of fish tacos at the Chimayo restaurant in Dillon and spend the night at the Alpine Inn in Frisco.

[Sunday] Today is cloudier than yesterday and a little snow is falling. The vistas are more closed-in. We have a good time skiing the northern slopes again, and, towards the end of the day, venture further west to the slopes served by the Ruby Express lift.

About four hours of skiing on Saturday, and closer to five on Sunday.