[Journal entry for January 14, 2015; Wheeler Gore Trail, near Copper Mountain Ski Resort, Colorado].

In the late morning, Dallas and I parked at the trailhead by West Tenmile Creek, just off of Exit 195 of Interstate 70, near the Copper Mountain Ski Resort. We crossed the creek via a highway bridge and then crossed I70 via the pedestrian bridge built on the side of an overpass, and joined the Wheeler Gore Trail (Trail 60; the Loop Trail) on the north side of the Interstate. The valley in which the Interstate is built is surrounded by impressive mountains on both sides. Copper Mountain, with its ski trails is one on the south side. The trail ascends into the mountains on the north side. The day was sunny and the scenery very vivid. We had no trouble keeping on the trail, for it had been packed down by snowshoers and telemark skiers. The trail ascended the hillside, alternating between woods and open fields. We passed many animal tracks, including those from deer and coyote, but saw no animals. The views of the mountains on the other side of the valley were excellent. One ridge seemed to have several piles of mine tailings protruding from the trees. And of course we could see the ski trails on Copper Mountain. We hiked uphill for about an hour and then turned back. About 2 hours.