RETURN TO THE PAST ( last adventure of the year?)

I have not been to Craig for a while. I bought my first mountain bike in Craig . A little reminiscing ! Figured it was time to make the trip. I thought it would be cool to revisit the first trail I ever rode that bike on . I’ve been thinking about riding Bears Ears for a while now .I could ride Arapaho Ridge on the way out and stop in Steamboat on the way back.

Arapaho Ridge

SANDROCKS (my first trail on a mountain bike)

Doesn’t look like it gets much use. It’s way hard. You are either crossing ridges or riding up and down drainages. The tail is not well marked and there are hundreds of other trails in the area. This is open range country some of these routes have been used for over 100 years by sheepherders and ranch hands. Found some old carvings in the aspen trees and ran into a cowboy looking for cows. I told him where I was going. He said “hope ya have a flashlight”. Four hours and I had only ridden about 16 miles of the 40 mile loop. It was tough going! I had spent the last hour pushing. I told him I would probably take the road back an cut the loop in half. He said it was still a long way and he wasn’t sure how to do it. He tried to give me some directions which only confused me. I ended up getting lost for a couple hours. Panic was starting to set in. This would not be a good place to spend the night or get lost. I was hoping I would a least make it to the road. Since I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about I decided to take 1144 to Black Mountain Road . Another hour pushing. Coasting never felt so good when I got to the top. I needed to eat. It’s funny when you’re adrenaline is going you kind of forget about everything I just wanted to get out! I made it to a road and started the long ride back up to the top. It went up forever. It wasn’t bad though I was able to ride most of it in the middle ring. When I reached the drainage divide it was still more up. I wanted to get back to camp before dark. I wasn’t sure I could make the connection between rd.110 and Freeman Reservoir in the dark. Think I got to the trail head at about 5. Two hours till dark was I going to make it? I was doing good until I tried to ride over a rock that I couldn’t clear the day before. My freewheel made an ugly noise. One more pedal revolution and the chain fell off. I had broken my chain! MORE PANIC! TRYING TO FIX THE CHAIN WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND THE SUN WAS GOING DOWN! Now I was glad for the terrain I could push to the top and coast down. I finally made it back at about 6-6:30. Refusing to be beat by the day I slammed a protein drink, started a fire and headed to the lake for a few casts. Caught some nice cutthroat trout.
Went back had some dinner and reflected on the day. I would get a chain tomorrow an stop and see if I could ride Arapaho Ridge as a loop on the way home

The next morning I was packing up, The campground host showed up we talked for a while. He went on with his chores. I hadn’t started the truck in a couple days I thought I
would start the truck while he was around. Every once in awhile the starter drive sticks and drains the battery. Well it did it this time. I had to run and disconnect the battery. Went to start the truck again. In a state of panic I forgot to take the truck out of gear so when I went to start it the truck lurched forward over my bike! Trip over. Oh Well!
Time for a new plan. Only 2 days of summer left and I want to ride Arapaho Ridge one more time. See if I can do It from the Granby side.

Clear Creek Fall Tour

My first bikepacking trip. A monster loop from my place here in Georgetown. This has been a fantasy of mine for a while. Now that I have it figured out I want to see if I can do it. About 140 miles 3-4 days I figure. 40-50 miles a day spent climbing to timberline will take time especially if there is a lot of pushing is involved.
Pack and gear 20 pounds including camera, tent, stove, sleeping bag, pad, food, water filter and some warm cloths. Don’t know how I did it my scale must be wrong.
Bike, rear rack, front handlebar bag, tube, multi tool, lube, and pump 30 pounds.
Water?
That means I will be hauling 280+ pounds up the hill!
Saturday: The big push to get 50 miles (Silver Creek, Saxon Mtn., Argentine Pass, Lenawee and Loveland Pass) camp at Herman Gulch
Sunday: 30 t0 40 miles Bard Creek, lunch in Empire: double cheeseburger, chocolate malt, and onion rings!! on to the Empire Hilton or Fall River end day two
Monday: 30-40 miles ride up Kingston Peak then through the maze to Idaho Springs lunch at Kermits see if I can make it the rest of the way home! through Beaver Brook back down to I.S. then on to Georgetown via Spring Gulchà Saxon Mtn. Road
Hope it doesn’t snow on my ass!

ST. Mary's

SNOW!

It's been snowing about timberline for 2 days now. They temporally closed Loveland Pass today. No rides just recovering and resting a bit.

Argentine Pass

“In 1869 the Georgetown and Snake River Wagon Road Company gouged, hacked, blasted and otherwise built the Argentine Pass road from Georgetown to Kokomo via Decatur, Chihuahua, Haywood, Dillon, and Frisco. A branch was of it was built from Chihuahua to Montezuma.”

Rode and pushed my bike to the top of Argentine Pass today. It’s hard to believe that they took wagons over this pass!

26 miles 5 hours 5.2 AV

WOODS CREEK LOOP

Since the completion of the CDT between Jones Pass and Herman Gulch I have been putting together a route in my head. Today I thought I would give it a try. My idea was to ride up Woods Creek and see if I could find the CDT and ride it down Herman Gulch to the BLT and back to Georgetown .My guess 20 -30 miles The reason I wasn’t starting at Jones Pass was I had heard it was a death march. The CDT guide book described the route between Jones Pass and Woods Creek as rocky with some boulder hoping. I don’t know I might try it that way next time it didn’t look that bad and it’s only 4 miles from Jones Pass to Woods Creek. This route was pretty sweet!

I left my house about 9 a little late. Now I would have to hurry it was suppose to rain this afternoon. The last thing I want to do is get caught above timberline in a lightning storm.
My shifting problems started just as I started up Empire Pass! **#@#** I thought I had it fixed. I was getting frustrated now! Soooooo many delays this morning I was beginning to think I was going to have to put the ride off. I would wait in the trees if I had to but I was going to finish this ride!!

The ride up US 40to Berthoud Falls kind of sucked there was a lot of traffic. Berthoud Falls was only 10 miles from Gtown 1 hour an 15 min. Now if I could make it to the saddle above Woods Creek before it started to rain. Another 5 miles and I was up to Urad Lake listing to Knocking on Heaven’s Door G+R version. It still looked like a long way up the creek. And I didn‘t know how much further the road went.. A couple pictures and I was on my way. Past the lake the road turned into a jeep trail a short distance later it ended. Now I was listening to The End my beautiful friend the end…. I love the Doors There was a faint trail to the right. I decided to go for it. It was only a couple miles to the CDT and I could carry my lightning rod for a couple miles if I had to! I started pushing that only lasted for about 10 feet before I had to hoist my bike on my back and pretend that it was my backpack. There were rock cairns so I knew someone had been this way before. It was tough going and way steeep. I made my way through a marshy area to the creek. That looked like the easiest way up. It was beautiful the wild flowers were spectacular. How many steps could I take before I had to stop? 12345678.…….about 50 that was it. A couple breathes and then 123456789.…. The ridge was getting closer. I figure I had to carry my bike for about 2 hours! I could see the CDT coming down the ridge across the valley and knew I would run into it soon. And I did it kind of took me by surprise. I had it made now if could get over the top and down to the trees before it started to rain. The saddle was 16 miles from my house (Plus a two hour hike). Time? I lost track all I knew it was all downhill to home! I stopped for some much needed refreshment at the Herman Gulch Trail. Herman Gulch Trial is a sweet gnarly trail with lots of roots and rocks with sections of sweet singletrack. The FS has even built some nice stunts for us mountain bikers. I like it! Really it wasn’t that hard!

30.5 miles 4 hours 30 min. 6.7 AV Probably 6-7 hours total

HIGH LONESOME, CARIBOU AND STRAWBERRY TRAILS

WOW! These are some hard technical trails. They kick my ass every time! Get me lost every time! Keep me out after dark every time! I got back to the truck at 11p.m. last night.
I was able to find the trails alright but took a wrong turn on FS 129 and was almost in Tabernash before I realized it. That was an extra 5+ miles. I must like it I’m ready to go back next week. Rode it as a loop by returning on FS 128.

31.5 miles 6hours 50 min. 4.6 AV

NEW SECTION OF CDT IN CC OFF LIMITS TO MOUNTAIN BIKES

A few of years ago a couple of my buddies ran into a trail crew working on a new section of the CDT. Rainbow Road to Bill Moore Lake. So for the last 2 years I’ve been trying to make a trip up to search for this trail. Well I found it. I had to carry my bike for miles or so it seemed to get to Bill Moore Lake. I could see the trail and was getting excited. But when I got to the trailhead the sign said no bicycles! I don’t think it is in the wilderness but it looks like the James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area Act might have some effect on this decision.
( It prohibits: (1) the establishment of any new trails or roads except for specified purposes)
OH well it looks like I will still have to use the old route over to Fall River

.
I rode back down to Mill Creek and on to Fall River the old way. Some nice pristine singletrack! Found where CDT comes out on Rainbow Road. Then down to Dumont and back to Georgetown

31 miles 6 hours 5.1 AV
But I was gone 10 hours!

SECRET STASH

This was a great ride!

21.5 miles 3 hours 15 min. 6.6 AV

SAXON MOUNTAIN

Finally did this ride all the way through. I’ve only been working on it for about 5 years now!
It’s a tough ride. A steep rocky climb on an old road. The power line trail is a dangerously steepdecent back down to Georgetown.
Ride up Saxon Mountain Road to Lamartine Jct. Turn left then right and follow the 4x4 road to Highland Park the power line trail takes off under the power line at the end of the road.

HAPPY TRAILS

12 miles 3hours 15 min. 3.6 AV

WARREN GULCH

I do this ride as a loop but most do it as a shuttle. Warren Gulch was one of the first shuttles in the state and is still one of the best!
PLEASE DON’T SKID OR CUT SWITCHBACKS
The trail has suffered a lot of inconsiderate abuse over the last couple of years from the downhill crowd.
Route finding through the subdivision to the lower singletrack is kind of difficult so it’s best do this ride with someone that has ridden the trail before.
11 miles climbing 3000ft.! 3000ft. descending! 4 miles of killer singletrack
From I.S. head up Soda Creek past the hot springs turn left on Little Bear ride 5 miles up to Hwy. 103 right to Warren Gulch Trail. The trail takes off on the right past mm. 19 just west (100 yards) of the Chief Mtn. Trail

17.6 miles 3hr. 50 min. 4.5AV

SWEET SINGLETRACK

Rode the singletrack up North Empire today. Ran into snow about 10,000 ft. That seems to be the snow level around here.

14 miles 2hours 30 min. 5.5 Av

DAKOTA RIDGE/ GREEN MOUNTAIN

15.5mi 2hr. 30min. 6.2 AV


Well no one showed up for the ride. It was cold and windy in Georgetown so we decidede to go where it was warmer!

PAVILION POINT

For today’s ride was it was over the top of Pavilion Point to check on the snow level for this weekends ride. It was cold and it had snowed the night before. Man I’m ready to go back to the desert! I was hoping I could make it over the top without having to fight too much snow. Started running into snow about the B-line that was kind of discouraging. I was able to ride most of the way to the first switchback I had to push through the snow for about ½ mile I was able to get around most of it by pushing the bike on it’s rear tire.

SAXON MOUNTAIN SPRING GULCH

5/21/2008

Monday I made it almost all the way up the power line trail and there was no snow. Today I thought I would try Saxon Mountain from the other side and see what that was like.
I left the house a little after 9 a.m. It was a beautiful day for a ride. If I had enough energy and time I was going to check out Pavillion Point after all it was only 13 miles to Gunella Pass road. It kind of hurt but if I kept a slow steady pace Lamertine jct, was only a couple hours away and the power line another hour after that. I was moving along about 2-3 mph making slow progress. About 5 miles up started running into snow, At first I could get
around on the side then it was up to my knees. I was wishing for my gaiters after a while my feet were soaked and it didn’t matter any more. I kept pushing on, Pretty soon it was up to my waist and I was swimming trying to keep my weight on my shins so I wouldn’t fall through again. My legs were starting to bleed from being cut by the coarse ice crystals! I just kept thinking if I made it to the jct, the snow was going to clear up. Boy was I wrong! When I finally made Lamertine Jct it was 12:30 It took me about an hour to crawl through a couple miles of snow!! But there was an old snowmobile track that was still firm enough to hold my weight. I was hoping that it went to Highland Park of course not, The track was going to take me to Spring Gulch. At least I was staying on top of the snow for the most part. Now I was hoping the snow was going to clear up by the time I crossed the saddle to Spring Creek Jeep Road. Wrong again!! ONLY FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS. I pushed through the snow all the way past Lamertine. Four hours of slogging through the snow. That sucked. I was tired and still had to ride the frontage road home from Idaho Springs. Oh well it’s all about the adventure right? And I got an 8 hour workout. I think my computer only showed 6. I probably got an extra 5 miles carrying my bike.

26,6 miles 6 hours 4.4 AV ouch!

SILVER CREEK 5/11/2008

Indian Creek/Steven's Gulch

SIX PARKS RIDE

4/22/08: SIX PARKS 19.5 mi. 3 hours 6.5 AV.

Is Centennial Cone cursed ?

Went down to the Cone today to check it out. It was so nice the day before I decided to just to wear shorts and a tee shirt and take my new rain jacket. After all it was suppose to snow this afternoon but I should be back before then. It was colder and windier than it was in Georgetown that doesn’t happen too often. I put on my jacket and was off, It was chilly I figured I would warm up on the first hill. The sun was out I was getting warmer and had to take my jacket off. Took a little time to check for TICKS last week I found one on me and one in me! The clouds were coming in I wanted to make it at least to the dark side to see if there was any snow left in the trees. I ran into some hikers they commented about the approaching storm. It didn’t look too bad yet and I was almost to the top! There was quite a bit of snow when I reached the trees but I was able to drag my bike through it only had to kick steps in once. Once past the snow it was a cruse down to the bridge. It still wasn’t snowing. I figured I would continue on to the rock outcropping or the parking lot if it didn’t start to snow, When I got to the rock outcropping I could see it was snowing in Evergreen. I decided to turn around and started racing down the hill. I was thinking my 1.4 slicks were going to hold out when I flatted in front. No problem? I had a tube and a pump! But when I went to use the pump I couldn’t get it to work!!! *#**#** I was 5 miles in and it was starting to snow, I kind of panicked what was I going to do? I thought I could drop over the hill an hook up with the bridge and save myself some time. That was questionable. I should have known better! Whenever I take a shortcut it almost always ends up in some kind of situation! This time was no different I ended up on a cliff. I managed to find my way to the bridge. It was 2 p.m. and starting to snow heavily I thought if I pushed hard I could be back by 4 if I didn’t freeze! I made it back at 3:30 p.m. The park has only been open 3 years now. It seems like every year something bad happens to me here 2006 2007 I don’t know if it’s a curse or not but that doesn’t happen everywhere else! Here is a photographic time log of my day:

TOMMY KNOCKERS?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocker_(folklore)
They’ve been busy!!!

Oh MY GOD Road/Central City Parkway/ Frontage road
20.5 mi.- 2 hours 45 min- 7.5 AV