Stardate 2017.225

Colorado Trail Segment 1 — Out and Back
Prepping for the Summer and Ride the Rockies
I had not ridden into the heart of Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail (CT) for quite some time. I had a Tuesday off and decided to give it whirl. I write about the ride up Waterton Canyon to upper Lenny's Bench all the time. Beyond Lenny's exists an entirely different animal. Yes, lots of hike-a-bike down into and up out of aptly named Bear Creek; followed by medieval sections of forest heavy in haunting spirit, a siren if you will.

Segment 1 of the CT is 16.8 miles in length (Kassler start) with an elevation gain of 2,830 feet to the 7,517-foot high point at mile 12.6. I didn't start in Kassler and rode 15.2 miles to the high point. I turned back at the high point. A handful of photos follow — enjoy!



The first 6.7 miles of dirt road parallel the South Platte River, and the road is a service access road for Denver Water. The road also is the roadbed used by the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad, built in 1877.



It's time for some trail.




I'm about to begin the big drop down to Bear Creek from upper Lenny's.




After the decent to Bear Creek, it's time to climb the other side on ball bearing rock.




There was old ice that should be covered by new snow upon reading this post.




Bring on the singletrack. The most difficult climbing was now behind me.



Cathedral Spires (8,520 ft) rise to the west. Yes, there are spires there. The area is closed to rock climbing in the spring for raptor, including Peregrine falcon, nesting.




'Tis the wind season and its aftermath.




This pic kind of shows how large some rock steps were. Upper center is a patch of ice.




This is the flowy descent down into the bowels of Bear Creek.




Stay tuned for more lizarding...

Adios

Stardate 2016.504

Snowcatcher found a snake napping several feet above ground in the leaves.

Just Another Day In The Saddle
Snowcatcher and I got an afternoon ride in yesterday between t-storms. You probably can guess where. I'll leave it at that. In the lower photo the South Platte River flows several more miles before exiting onto the western-terminus of the Great Plains.




The twisty turny climb to upper Lenny's Bench is a good huff and puff.




Lenny's Bench is often the turnaround point for rides. However, several long rides begin here as well.




Trail 800 and the Colorado Trail split here (Lenny's Bench).




Thanks for reading!

Adios

Stardate 2015.860

Stunning Autumn Days

Following are some pics from several recent rides up Waterton Canyon. I ride this area a lot. The days have been classic autumn with nippy mornings and warmish afternoons – a true Indian Summer. My ride up the bighorn sheep-infested canyon deposited me at Strontia Springs Reservoir. From here, I rode the Colorado Trail up to its intersection with Trail 800. Another quarter mile deposited me at a fork in the trail, so I took it! Ha ha ha, I've always wanted to say that. Anyway, I did take the left fork. Called the Roxborough loop trail, it arced me back around to Trail 800. A larger loop, Trail 800, would require more time than I had. I used the Roxborough trail to shorten 800's loop.

Let's ride! Last week's yellow leaves are about gone.




Forest trails have a lot of root-bound, keep-you-on-your-toes character.




Stealthy singletrack




"In and out of shadows this ride was," Yoda proclaimed.




More delightful singletrack




The trough is steep, loose and about 100 yards in length. Rarely can I get up it without a stop.




From this point, the trail becomes fast, steep and loose, depositing you at Strontia Springs dam.




I hooked back up with Snowcatcher, and we cruised out of the canyon. That's it for now. Later gator.

Adios