Stardate 2017.348

Juniper Pass


Juniper Pass — Where's the Juniper?
I took a road ride from Bergen Park to Juniper Pass via State Highway 103. Bergen Park is a stone's throw west from the Denver Metro area at an elevation of 7,791 feet. Juniper Pass sits at 11,140 feet elevation; a bit high for juniper, I believe. It was a bluebird day - warm even at 11,000 feet. The elevation gain for the ride is 3,349 feet over 15.1 miles.

There was a fair amount of sand on the road, causing the descent to be a bit slower than usual. Nonetheless, it is a well-earned descent. Moreover, this pass is the first major ascent in the Triple Bypass, an event I've ridden numerous times. The first photo is the start of Highway 103, just outside of Evergreen, Colorado.




My obligatory bike in the middle of the road shot.




Squaw Pass sign indicates you're more than halfway. In common English, you know the cat's in the bag. Although there's yet another 1,333 feet of elevation gain.




The Front Range comes into view.






Grays Peak (14,270 ft, rank #10) and Torreys Peak (14,267 ft, rank #12 ) come into view as well.




As the pass approaches, so does 14,264-foot Mount Evans, the 15th highest peak in Colorado.




This road used to be fairly weathered. Now, it's baby-butt smooth asphalt.




That's it for now. Thanks for reading.

Adios

Stardate 2015.534

Guanella Pass

After months of cycling, Snowcatcher and I got out of the house for an afternoon of alpine flower and snow reconnaissance this past weekend. Things are becoming accessible up high, at least in the Front Range. Better yet, this year's flower crop is prolific. Following are pics from 11,669-foot Guanella Pass and surrounds.



13,794-foot Square Top Mountain (state rank 111) dominates the western view from Guanella Pass.




Goldenbanner
Thermopsis montana
Pea family


The view east is dominated by Mount Bierstadt (right) and The Sawtooth Ridge. Mount Bierstadt is named after painter Albert Bierstadt. The peak is 14,060 feet high and is the 38th highest peak in Colorado. Bierstadt also is one of the easier "walk-up" 14ers in the state. However, the altitude can still take your breath away. Moreover, the surrounding slopes are overrun by mountain goats; this makes photographers like Snowcatcher happy. The Sawtooth Ridge delivers fun, class 3, hand and foot climbing to the northwest summit ridge of Colorado's 14th highest peak, 14,264-foot Mount Evans (out of view).




Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Pea family



Yellow Stonecrop
Amerosedum lanceolatum
Stonecrop family


Geneva Park, at 9,700 feet, is awash in wildflowers. Duck Creek, Bruno Gulch and Burning Bear Creek all confluence with Geneva Creek along this mile of stream reach. Geneva Creek flows south to the South Platte River. Question of the day – where were the moose hiding?



South Clear Creek begins its journey on the north side of Guanella Pass.




Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family



One-Headed Daisy
Erigeron simplex
Aster family



Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family



One-Headed Daisy
Erigeron simplex
Aster family



Alpine Yarrow
Achillea alpicola
Aster family

and

Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family

That's it for today. Thanks for reading. I believe we have Dieter and Wolfgang on deck.

Adios