February 2-4, 2007

Cosima and I happened upon the Spruce Hole Yurt on one of our many adventures together last year.  It looked great, so we decided to go back as soon as we could.  It turned out that our friend Bill Priedhorsky decided to lead a trip there this year, so we happily signed on along with other long-term friends Jackie Little, and Dennis Brandt.  Bill took care of all the details, and we went merrily along for the ride.

The trip up required trail breaking, and provided an occasional burst of wind.

The roomy 20' diameter yurt at Spruce Hole is a modern version of the traditional design with added features to make it warm and comfortable.  We were very impressed with the many amenities:

• a wood stove and plenty of firewood

• room for up to six people

• one queen, one full, and two twin beds

• propane powered lights and cookstove

• plush bedding and clean sheets, no need to tote your sleeping bag

• unique stargazing and observation tower in top of yurt

• basic food staples and spices, you bring the main meals

We took several ski trips will staying at the yurt:

• a wonderful evening ski into Spruce Hole (the snow devils were spectacular).

• a five hour trip to the top of the nearby mesa where our view included San Antonio Mountain, Blanca, and the Crestones (we also got in a few turns).

• on the way out we found deep and steep snow just off the trail, and we tried some turns on near perfect powder (some of the best I've found this year).

Evening skiing in the Spruce Hole.

While at the yurt we joked continually, ate gourmet food, played Gin Rummy, and looked out the beautiful skylight.  It was truly another great trip to remember.....and to repeat!

Directions to the Spruce Hole Yurt:

From Chama, NM, take highway 17 north out of Chama for 20 miles.  Look for the Spruce Hole sign on your right side and park off the highway.  The trail is on the south side of the road and is marked.  The yurt is 2 1/2 miles from the highway.