By Mollie McCoy, Marketing Associate
On a crisp Saturday afternoon in Allenspark, Colorado, we found ourselves nestled in the forest. The first snow of the season had settled across the ground, signaling the quiet shift into winter. Anyone who has taken a horseback ride at the Meeker Park Lodge will instantly recognize this scenery. Tall pine trees line winding dirt roads, creating a sense of calm that defines the Rocky Mountain winter. This mountain stillness is distinctive and intentional. Each sound stands out, from the crunch of boots on snow to the distant rustle of branches.
This month’s trail wasn’t a long trek. It was a slow, one-mile loop through our cabin neighborhood, shared with my father, my fiancé, and three wild dogs. Sometimes the shortest walks are the most grounding, especially after the first snowfall. Turning a familiar loop into something soft and peaceful.
Into the Woods
We stepped into the forest, where the light filtered between the trees and glittered across the powdery snow. The coat of fresh snow made every fallen branch and pine needle stand out in white. My fiancé and our pup Copper scampered ahead, carving a zig-zag trail of footprints and pawprints in the soft light that led us deeper into the woods.
Snow & Scenery
Maisie, one of our Aussie mixes, was thrilled by the weather shift. She bounded along the trail and would have thought she’d never seen snow before. As we continued along the loop, the trees opened to reveal the surrounding mountains; every rolling hill and peak was dusted with early-season snow.
Open Roads & Winter Light
The path widened into a long, open stretch of road layered in rippled snow, shaped by wind, cars, and footsteps from earlier in the day. Bare aspens stood alongside dense evergreens. Every direction a view worth framing.
A Family Walk
We paused for a quick sunny family photo; hats on, coats zipped to our chins, red cheeks, and bright skies overhead, my eyes sewed shut from the sun. No rush and no schedule; just a slow winter walk surrounded by familiar trees, soft light, and a road we’ve walked a hundred times, but that always feels different in the snow.
Neighborhood Landmarks
We passed the Boulder County sign and wooden neighborhood signs tucked into the trees. Both collecting little caps of snow. These quiet seasonal markers are sprinkled amongst the wood. Pulling memories of past winters, walks, and the steady rhythm of returning to this place year after year from the depths of my mind.
Quiet Winter Roads
The last third of the loop opened into a sunlit stretch of dirt road where the snow began to melt into uneven patches. My father walked ahead with the dogs, his wooden cane, carved from fallen trees from the past, leading the way. The dogs followed him happily, tails swishing back and forth in perfect sync.
As we turned toward home, we snapped a quick selfie and let the dogs enjoy a bit more playtime. They rolled, sniffed, and pounced at the fresh powder. The late-afternoon light softened everything it touched. Giving the snow that faint golden glow, only lasting a few minutes before fading into the cool winter light as we went inside.
Returning Home & Last Look
As we rounded the corner of the trail through the trees, a simple winter scene of the cabin opened up, showing the picturesque view of our home in the woods. Its bright red trim glowing against the snow and trees. The dogs sped up as they recognized where we were, and the three of us followed behind them.
This month’s trail proved that even the shortest routes can feel restorative. A one-mile loop, a dusting of first snow, and a slow afternoon with family was the perfect way to welcome winter in Allenspark. We closed our day with a few libations around the wood-burning stove.
Mollie McCoy
Mollie McCoy is a Marketing Associate at Transformance Advisors. She adapts and applies existing brand assets, color systems, templates, and design elements to create cohesive social media content, marketing collateral, newsletters, articles, and press releases. With roots in journalism and a Master’s in Strategic Communication Design, Mollie combines structured creativity with strong storytelling, ensuring every piece of content informs, aligns, and resonates with the intended audience.
When she’s not formatting copy or transforming assets into polished content, she’s probably experimenting with a new creative concepts, sipping an iced matcha, or walking her dachshund, Copper; who is convinced he’s the star of every meeting.
To learn more about Mollie, visit her LinkedIn profile.
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