The CMC Snowshoe Trail lets snowshoe enthusiasts and cross-country skiers coexist at the popular winter sport area just west of Ward. But when the snowshoe boom occurred it really impacted the quality of skiing on the trails. At Ward, make a right onto the Peak to Peak Highway and a left onto the Brainard Lake Recreation Area access road. Another route would be west on Colo. 119 up Boulder Canyon, then north on the Peak to Peak Highway at Nederland. At Ward, take a left onto the Brainard Lake Recreation Area access road.
Parking is available at the winter-closure gate.
What was once rows of ski grooves became trampled hard pack because the trails were too narrow to accommodate separate routes for both types of travelers. That prompted the Colorado Mountain Club to help create a trail designated solely for snowshoers. The trail can be accessed at two points. Just before you get to the sign make a right onto the CMC Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe trail. A few yards up, the trail splits - snowshoers stay to the left.