Stardate 2016.345

Coastal Dreamin'...
As you've probably noticed, I cherish my time high in the oxygen-scarce environment of Colorado's highest peaks. I like also to disappear into the magical mystique of a parched desert sandstone canyon in the remote Four Corners region. And, I very much look forward to an occasional visit to the salt-laden air of a wind-blown coast. I feel like a grizzled old salty sea captain by the end of the day.

Recently, I got in some coastal time. Snowcatcher and I attended a family wedding in southern California. Because I feel a wedding is personal, there are no wedding pics forthcoming in any of my blog posts. No, not even of the bride's dress — which was stunning I might add! On the other hand, pics pertaining to the non-wedding aspects of the trip were one too many and difficult from which to select. The flight route from Denver to Los Angeles is over some of the finest southwest desert America has to offer. Viewing geologic and fluvial erosion from altitude is outstanding, clouds permitting. Disappointingly, I often get mixed results shooting through two panes of glass at 30,000 feet. Nonetheless, here you go — enjoy!

We had an early morning flight. Not knowing what to expect at this time of day, we arrived early and cruised through security unimpeded. I actually thought there would be more business flyers this time of day. Around 4:15 a.m., I took a picture of "Peachy the Fox," our upcoming ride for the morning. Peachy is a new Airbus A320.




Morning temperatures were cold, and the airplane had grown some ice on its wings. A quick deicing bath was in order before flying.






The mile high city was coming to life.




I can see my house, can you? The tall peak in the background is 14,110 foot Pikes Peak, state rank #30.




We played tag with the clouds while flying over South Park, Colorado.




The eastern side of the Mosquito Range was catching sun while the west side was socked-in with clouds.




Morning light hits Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The La Plata Mountains, a San Juan subset, rise in the far upper right.



It's fun to catch a bird's-eye view of peaks I've ascended. The below photo is the Wilson Group of the San Juan Mountains, with three fourteeners I've summited. Left to right (and forming a perimeter) are Wilson Peak (14,017 ft, state rank #48), Gladstone Peak (13,913 ft, rank #67), Mount Wilson (14,246 ft, rank #16) and El Diente (14,159 ft). El Diente is Spanish for elk tooth. El Diente does not get an official rank because the drop in the saddle between it and Mount Wilson is not 300 feet or greater. The verdict will always be out. However, due to the difficulty of the climb, I consider it a separate 14er. The ridge joining Mount Wilson with El Diente is considered one of the state's four most challenging 14er traverses.



Flying over the canyon country of southeast Utah is about as good as it gets. Below is Comb Ridge. It's primarily a north-to-south trending monocline. It's 80 miles long and runs from Blanding, Utah, to Kayenta, Arizona. In 1976 it was designated a National Natural Landmark. This view conjured up memories for me because I was flying over a region where I did lots of research and field work in during 1987 and 1988.




The upper center of the photo is Monument Valley and Kayenta, Arizona. Comb Ridge may be seen wrapping around the back side of Monument Valley.




Welcome to Los Angeles, California!




There's more on the way. Thanks for reading.

Adios

Stardate 2015.805

Where's the Snow

The weather forecast was for sunny skies in the high country. Mountain snows have been minimal this autumn. Snowcatcher and I took advantage of the dry by taking the mountain bikes out for jaunt up, and possible summit of, 11,481-foot Boreas Pass (pronounced Bore-ays) from the Breckenridge side. Weather quickly changed as we started up the 133-year-old rail grade. Nonetheless, we got a little ride in before the wet hit.

In the 1860s, Boreas Pass was used by gold prospectors to travel from South Park to the Blue River area of Breckenridge. Around 1866, the road was widened to accommodate wagons and stagecoaches. The Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad began laying rail in 1882, and all that hard work was abandoned in 1937. The US Army Corps of Engineers designed the rail grade for auto traffic post World War II. Boreas Pass was named after Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind. I hope you enjoy the pics. I used the iPhone as a camera again.

Clouds were quickly brewing above Breckenridge and the northern Tenmile Range.




13,684-foot Bald Mountain (state elevation rank #156)




There were still some patches of color here and there.




The road cuts had some color too.




Next year's soil vitamin supply




14,265-foot Quandary Peak (rank #14) rises at the far left.




From Victorian-era mining to 21st-century mega-ski resort, Breckenridge can share some history.



We didn't get any snow, but we got some cooler temps and rain. I must admit, even though we need the snow to start piling up, I like being able to ride my bikes this far into the autumn.

Stay tuned...

Adios

Stardate 2015.751

Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass
Autumn Visits Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail

Autumn has arrived at Colorado's higher elevations. Moreover, trees down low are beginning to show signs of fall as well. I recently had the opportunity to take the Black Pearl (mountain bike) out for a fall grunt along segment 6 of the Colorado Trail. Rolling across the skin of the earth on a warm Indian summer day full of yellow, gold and orange tapestry is about as good as it gets.

The Colorado Trail is a collection of trails linking Denver with Durango, Colorado. Much of the trail penetrates some of Colorado's most striking landscapes, especially the southwestern San Juan Mountains between Lake City and Durango. The trail is approximately 500 miles long and divided into 28 segments. The path visits 6 wilderness areas, 7 national forests and 5 river systems. Except for the wilderness areas, it is open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Designated detours route cyclists around wilderness areas, where bicycles are forbidden.

My day started at the 9,961-foot level of Kenosha Pass. I rode a sleeveless out-and-back from Kenosha to Georgia Pass. Close to the halfway mark, Georgia Pass is the high point of Segment 6. From Georgia Pass, the segment descends to the winter ski town of Breckenridge.



Segment 6 is entirely singletrack to Georgia Pass. Much of the trail is an enhanced cardio challenge due to physically handling the bicycle over root-bound trail while climbing steeply. The pay-off is baby-butt smooth trail in other areas and needless to say – the views.


The leaves in the Kenosha Pass area are some of the first in Colorado to change color. Leaves were at various stages of change this year. In the following pic, the trail is seen traveling from the lower right to the center of the photo (not the dirt road). My destination is in the background; 13,370-foot Mount Guyot is home to Georgia Pass. Yes, the trail loses elevation near the start; and it has to be made up at the end.



Although yellows were a bit muddy this year, there was some good orange; flame-tips I like to call them.





In addition to groves of aspen (quakies), stands of Lodgepole pine make-up a large portion of the montane ecosystem. The following pic shows some of the smoother trail scattered here and there.



Around 10,000 feet in elevation, Lodgepole pine gives way to Engelmann spruce and the subalpine ecosystem. Mount Guyot dominates the view.



Georgia Pass cradles the Krummholz, which is the interface of the subalpine and alpine ecosystems. Note the stunted growth and wind-shaped branches on the coniferous trees.



At 13,370 feet, Mount Guyot is the 344th highest peak in Colorado. Guyot is named after Arnold Henry Guyot (GEE-oh) who was a Swiss-American Geologist and Geographer (1807-1884).



Viewing northwest, the northern Gore Range rises in the background.




More pics from this trip to come...

Adios

Stardate 2015.049

Favorites 2014

Part 3

Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte

Crested Butte

Gunnison, Colorado

South Park, Colorado

Grenadier Range, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

San Juan Mountains

San Juan Mountains

Pitkin, Sawatch Range, Colorado

Durango

Alpine Pass rail grade, Sawatch Range

Alpine Pass, Continental Divide, Sawatch Range

Alpine Pass, Continental Divide, Sawatch Range
After Part 4, 2014 will be no more.

Adios

Stardate 2014.742

Whisperings of Color

After our Crested Butte ride, Snowcatcher and I camped at one of our favorite places along Mill Creek. This area also is access to one of my favorite wilderness areas – the West Elk Wilderness. We've spent a lot of time here backcountry skiing, hiking, harvesting wild raspberries and dodging lightning.



We had planned to ride again on day two of our adventure. However, a small wet system put the kibosh on that. Riding wet trails isn't too cool from a rutting standpoint. Plus, Zeus was active; I'm convinced he has a thunderbolt with my name on it.



After enjoying the drizzle softly ping against our vehicle off and on throughout the night, we enjoyed taking pictures in the early morning mist. We also decided to slowly work our way back home, hitting leaf areas along the way.



Our home away from home is ready for another day in the sticks.



Mill Creek still had a fair amount of green. However, where the leaves had changed, the colors were spectacular.



We bid Mill Creek a farewell, for now.



Eastbound, we decided to check out South Park's Michigan Creek and Georgia Pass area because it usually has a good display of color. Better yet, there are moose in the wetlands. Sometimes you get lucky enough to see one.



The aspen were close to peaking here.



Many places were almost surreal.



Snowcatcher went to work catching images.



But I kept waiting for fairies to appear.



Thanks for the color Georgia Pass; we'll see you next year!

Adios