Stardate 2016.022

More Waterton Canyon

Yay! I took advantage of another day sporting 40 Fahrenheits. The Black Pearl and I visited Waterton Canyon once again. It felt so good to shed some cabin-fever. On the other hand, we're expecting up to 8 inches of snow over the next several days, with high temps remaining in the 20s through next week. Normality will return; it is winter after all. Nonetheless, I can work on several quilts I have in the making. But for now, perhaps you will enjoy some pics from the ride.

Slack-water areas are completely icing over. This doesn't help the bighorn herd much.




This reach of slack-water is the product of a small diversion dam. The snow-free southerly aspects tend to deny that its winter.




Just below the intersection with the Colorado Trail, the service road ramps-up and is icier than it appears.




The Colorado Trail becomes singletrack just around the bend. It reaches Durango, Colorado, 500 miles later.




Guess who showed up...




...why it's Dieter and Wolfgang, the self-proclaimed Bavarian bandits.




I have a soft-spot for dormant coniferous trees; patiently they wait out yet another lonely cold season wrapped in coats of needles.




Thanks for reading. More to come, stay tuned!

Adios

Stardate 2016.016

2016!!

Happy New Year!!

Remember when 2016 seemed so faaarrrrrr awwaaayyyy? Me too, and it's here now! Ouch!

We've had a bit of a cold spell, but temps broke free today, climbing well into the 40s. The temperature was a good enough excuse to procrastinate and take the Pearl for a ride up Waterton Canyon. The ride began dry, with a touch of Fahrenheit-cold lingering in the shadows.




Northerly aspects still have a blanket of snow for show.




I turned around at the trailhead for the Colorado Trail.




Turkshead Peak rises from 5,780 feet to about 7,700 feet in elevation.




The shadows stealthily morphed into a heavy, dark and cold ambience.




The South Platte River isn't completely iced over.




You've been mooned!




That's it for now. It's been a rather slow start this new year. Stay tuned...

Adios

Stardate 2014.951

Fall Continues Its Wonderful Grip

And I fear we're going to pay for it with snow and cold come April. Nonetheless, I'll ride in shorts as long as I can. Temperatures in Waterton Canyon today are iffy. I find shorts to be sufficient in the sun, yet wish for tights in the shade.




When I reached single-track, the majority of the canyon was in shade. However, above the river, forest temperatures are warmer.




Most of the trail is devoid of snow, although, a few icy sections lie in wait for a victim not paying attention.






By March, the above trail segments will be drifted in with several feet of snow. This segment is always last to melt as well.




After I finished my climb, I started out of the canyon as the foothills slowly gave in to dusk. At this point, temps were dropping fast, and I scolded myself for not putting tights in my pack. I beat the dark and cold, but not by much.

Up-next, Deer Creek Park...

Adios