Colorado Trail Recap: Day 3

"Ok fellas, you can't camp here." is what we woke up to on Day 3. A friendly park ranger woke us up about 6 to shoo us out of the picnic shelter. The guy was really nice about it, and understood that we were only three because of the rain. We got up and moving pretty fast, said goodbye to the campground eagle, and were on the road by 8. 

Good morning, officer

America (some assembly required)

 The day started with about 8 miles up Tarryall Road which was paved. This was a gentle climg and a great warm up to start a day of riding. We passed the Stagestop Saloon, which was unsurprisingly closed at 8 in the morning. Had our schedule worked out differently, this would have been a cool place to hang out.

Tarryall Raod

A bit past the Saloon, we turned north onto some jeep trails that would eventually rejoin the CO Trail. This got us off the pavement and onto some dirt from miles 9 to 16. This was a really cool area with some aspens as we climbed higher and higher.

Nice Jeep trail

From up high on this trail we could see Southpark to the SouthWest of us. We were going to circle around the valley on the North side and end up on the nearly opposite side by the end of the day.

One of many beautiful views into Southpark

We were really happy once we got back on the CO Trail because it means singletrack instead of dirt roads. This trail was really great, and got us into some neat terrain as we approached Kenosha Pass.

All Smiles, despite some more rain

Awesome views from here

The trail here had a few obstacles, but everything was very rideable. (almost everything)

Isaac hopping a fallen tree

The Aspen groves were incredible to ride through. WE didn't see anyone for a long time on these trails. 

It was awesome to come over Kenosha pass. It was the first people we'd seen all day. Lots of hikers were setting out on the trail in both directions. 

Another CO Trail trailhead sign

We took advantage of a water pump thing at the campground right at the pass. Here is where Jesse also found some reasonable flip flops. 

Cold, beautiful water

We rode for another short bit and then took a break to have lunch and the views were amazing. Here we're looking back south east into the same valley, having ridden all the way across the north side.

Table for two

So, anyone who talked to me for the week before this ride knows I was on the hunt for small packets of relish for this tuna roll-up I planned on having. I procured some from Wal-Mart, and it was delicious. 

An amazing lunch

This part was some really fun songletrack riding, nothing too challenging. There was a hill on the profile that ended up not being a big deal at all.

Lets goooo

We got to the campground and were able to relax a bit. I think we could have ridden another hour or two on this day, but it was nice to have a table and some fresh water and relax. There was also  a creek where we all hopped in to soak the legs and clean up a bit. 

Smile

This night we had Reid meet us with a resupply and a fun dinner. No fires, but we sat around and had a really great evening. 

Cheers

Faux fire

The campground was right next to the CO Trail, so we were confident in an early start in the morning, despite a few evening beers. 

Colorado Trail Recap: Day 2

Our first night is over and it's time to get the weirdest day of riding out of the way. This day included a ride-around of the Lost Creek Wilderness area, where bikes are not allowed. It was a 70 mile route made up of well manicured gravel and some pavement. The roads hid a surprising amount of elevation gain. Our target was the Tarryall Reservoir. 

We got a nice start, filtering water right by the campsite and getting on the road. Moving a little slow after a tough day 1, but eager to get some miles behind us. 

Loading up for Day 2

Early on we rode by Wellington Lake and campground. The ride here was a lot of up and down, and the road was in pretty good shape, and the lake was really pretty.

Wellington Lake

Taking a breather in the shade

Ralphie, maybe

The last part of the dirt road section was a lot more exposed, and had some really pretty views of the surrounding area.

Big wide road!

Stopped for a little lunch picnic in the shade

One of the many rolling hills

All the climbing along the road ended up adding to be a lot of climbing. Luckily, there were not a lot of real sustained climbs, so after a few miles, we had a rest. It was also really pretty which was a nice distraction from the climbing.

Pretty great rocks out here

Lots of room for 3 abreast riding

we stopped at this awesome little creek and filtered water and had a snack. the water was really cold and we all soaked our jerseys. The rain clouds were coming in, and we were trying to get off the dirt before it got too wet.

Filtering more water

Lucky for us, the afternoon rain held off until we hit pavement. But when it started, it was intense! We rode another 18 miles or so on the pavement until we got to the Reservoir. 

Then the rain came

Finally stopped raining

The waterfall at the end of the reservoir was very underwhelming, but it was a good place to filter and look for a place to stay. The problem was that it started raining again.

Last water filter for the day

The Res had these day use shelters and even though they said no camping, the rain forced us to hunker down as long as we could. While we were cooking dinner where it got pretty cold, but thankfully the shelter kept us dry and then decided to just sleep under the shelter.

Our spot for the night

I cooked up some pretty tasty mac and cheese, and then was still hungry and broke into the emergency ramen. It was great to have some extra food for this part. The long day paired with the cold weather really took it out of me. I would actually have the best night sleep this night (including the hotel on night 4). 

Cooking dinner (note warm clothes)

It was a pretty spectacular sunset, and it finally stopped raining. It was too dark to relocate, so we tried not to feel bad about breaking the rules and sleeping int he picnic shelter. 

This day was a bit of a drag because it wasn't any singletrack, but it was a pretty cool area to ride through, and ended up being a great place to spend the night. 

 

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Colorado Trail Recap: Day 1

 OK Team, we did it: 5 glorious days on the Colorado Trail - camping, biking, suffering. Not everything went to plan, but everything was amazing. I'll take a few posts here to break things down by day, including some fun stories and pictures!

Day one started in the parking lot of a Safeway where we got the traditional Safeway burritos, and then we were off. Three of us would leave from here, and meet Isaac on night one.

The first 6 miles or so were up Waterton Canyon Road, where it was just a gentle gravel road climb. We rode past the Strontia Springs Dam, and even saw some mountain goats. This road was fine on a bike, but I imagine it would be a silly way to start a hike. We did see more hikers this day than any other (except maybe right at Kenosha Pass).

Strontia Springs Dam

Mountain Goats chilling in the shade

At the top of the road we got onto some fun singletrack with some switchbacks and a bit of hiking. Saw a lot of bikes out for day rides and a few thru hikers. It was nice to be in the shade for this bit.

First of the HAB

After climbing the first big climb, we rode down a pretty fun and fast descent to the Bear Creek crossing. Here we were happy to refill with water in preparation for what would be a long hot climb back out of the valley and into the Buffalo Creek trail system. 

See the horse?

The Buffalo Creek part of the trail took us through Hayman Fire burn of 2002 scar, and it was remarkable. This fire burned 138,000 acres and it is still recovering.

Smiles and sun protection

There was some fun rolly trails here, and a lot of kitty litter type sand that was a drag. By the end we were pretty wiped. We also had a bit of a challenge with Jesse's rear brake so we fired off texts, voicemails, and emails to Isaac to get some small parts and pushed on.

Saw some amazing rock formations

Jesse on the trail

Looked at a map

While we were wrapping up our day, Isaac was working on meeting us at the Buffalo Creek Campground from the north. 

Isaac's ride

Once we got together, we didn't waste and time (or sunlight) getting Jesse's bike sorted out. Lucky Isaac brought exactly what we needed and we were fine for the rest of the ride. 

There's no maintenance like trailside maintenance

Isaac surprised us with end-of-the-day beers, which was one of the top 5 beers of my life. Threw sleeping bags on the ground and got a pretty average night's sleep!

Cheers

All in all, a beautiful but pretty tough day between the climbing and the heat. I think day one is always tough adjusting to the time on the bike and calorie and water needs. Every other day felt better after getting this out of the way. That is why I wanted to do this trail so bad though - the suffering was part of the adventure, and I am 100% in for it. 

Map

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