When we wrote Lost Ski Areas of the Front Range and Northern Mountains, we spoke with Woody Smith of the Colorado Mountain Club about Rilliet Hill, but we did not find its exact location on Lookout Mountain. That was way back in 2013 or 2014.
Recently, and out of the blue, we had a call from Michael Young (below), the author of The Swiss Army Knife. He offered to show the hill to us. We were happy and excited to accept the offer. (Mike’s book is available on Amazon and Ebay.)
On June 19, we met Mike on Lookout Mountain, parked and walked down to the site of Rilliet Hill. What a beautiful spot. We could see the actual hill, which was sporting some younger evergreens and lots of wildflowers. Also, Mike pointed out to us landmarks that seem to be the same ones as in a snow-covered photo in our book.
Skiing took place there in the 1920s by Colorado Mountain Club members. They got up to the hill with horses and sleds and then by Model T and Model A autos. At first the members skied down and trekked up, but then they must have rigged up a rope tow, probably powered by the engine of a Model T. (You can see a winter photo of the transportation in our Front Range book.)
CMC members built a warming hut near the hill. Mike introduced us to Keith Davidson, president of the Rilliet Park Association. He showed us the hut, which he and his wife Marta have been caretaking and renovating, even putting on a new roof, just the two of them.
The extraordinary thing about this place is that the Colorado Mountain Club bought the land and created the Rilliet Park Association. In 1997, the association donated a 273-acres conservation easement to the Clear Creek Land Conservancy. So, it is protected. For that reason, and because it’s private, we are still not going to tell exactly where it is located.
It’s remarkable how some lost hills were never completely lost at all, thanks to the good people who have been involved with them over the years.
Thank you, Michael Young for contacting us.