Feeling Leafy in Western CO

[aerofaze]

TRIP REPORT

Characters: aerofaze, Mntntoproc, and powers
Mileage: 934
Days: 3, Sep 23-25 2011
Route: CSprings, Gunnison, Pagosa Springs, Dolores, Telluride, Cedaredge, Glenwood Springs, Leadville, CSprings
Camera: Canon Powershot SX1IS

Intro: We wanted to go leaf-peeping on new riding territory. For two of us, that left Slumgullion Pass through Lake City. For all three of us, that meant checking out Lizardhead Pass, the Grand Mesa, and Tennessee Pass.

Day 1 - 335mi, CO Springs to Pagosa Springs, via Monarch, Slumgullion, and Wolf Creek Passes

Mntntoproc and I met up with powers at the SoCo Shell before heading over to Black Bear Coffee to confirm route, packing list, etc.



I warned the guys that my 2009 Duc was about 75mi away from rolling over to 20,000 miles, and I needed pictures. We estimated that Cotopaxi off US50 would be about the distance at which I’d hit that mark, and sure enough, it was!



What the Monster saw at her new milestone (looking towards Bighorn Sheep Canyon):



The aspens on the east slopes of the Sawatches were barely turning, but we stopped at the top of Monarch Pass anyway for the requisite photos. Behind us loom two Fourteeners (Tabeguache and Shavano, both of which I hiked in 2009).



We decided to grab a quick Subway lunch in Gunnison, not realizing that the local high school Homecoming Parade was scheduled for that afternoon! Cops blocked off US50. Gaudy floats passed by with cheering high schoolers, which then turned the corner about 200 feet from where we parked. Not seeing the tail end of the parade after 15 minutes, we decided to crash it. Waving at the crowds, moving slowly, we weaved in among the marching kids. When the float immediately in front turned the corner at the intersection, we went straight. The cops had no choice but to wave us through, but powers overheard the first one say sarcastically, "Sure sure, come on through!" The second cop didn't have a problem and let us pass.

Got gas in Lake City ($4.24/gal premium, oy!), then proceeded up Slumgullion Pass. The leaves in the lower elevations had not yet changed, but they were glorious up higher.







Two more Fourteeners can be seen (Wetterhorn and Uncompaghre, neither of which I've hiked) from a pull-off near the summit of Slumgullion Pass.



Some leaves looked great...



... while others had a ways to go.

[aerofaze]

The late afternoon sun felt nice, but it was a tad chilly over Wolf Creek Pass. These were taken going down the west side of the pass heading towards Pagosa Springs.






Our reservations were at the Oak Ridge Lodge. Affordable and biker friendly (bike wash station on the south side of the hotel), not to mention located conveniently across the street from the healing hot springs, it was no surprise that this was my third time staying there.



Day 2 – 383mi, Pagosa Springs to Glenwood Springs, via Lizardhead Pass and the Grand Mesa

We stopped by Chimney Rock on our way out.





When we arrived in Mancos, we veered slightly north and stopped to gas up in Dolores. I had to include a pic of the Galloping Goose No. 5 and its Society’s Museum.



Ascending Lizard Head Pass on CO 145, we stopped at the fire station in Rico (but no firemen in sight, damn).




We soon found Lizard Head Peak...



...and other amazing scenery.



We stopped in Telluride for lunch, regretting that we couldn't linger longer. In Montrose, powers needed to make a lengthy stop at the motorshop there, but he urged Mntntoproc and me to go on- he'd meet up with us in Glenwood Springs. We were a little reluctant to split up, but he reassured us that he'd be ok- and besides, he's much faster than us and I knew he'd make good time.

Mntntoproc and I proceeded up towards Cedaredge over the Grand Mesa. We stopped on the Mesa probably 4 or 5 times just to look around and/or shoot pics (when the sun wasn't in the way, which was rare), especially on the north side as the aspens were in full gold blast.





We descended the Grand Mesa and hit the CO65 canyon towards I-70. The sun was low and in our eyes, but the road was perfect to get our lean on! No photos here as I couldn't bear the thought of stopping and interrupting the fun twisties.

Within 20 minutes of checking in at the Glenwood Motor Inn, we heard powers' R6 pull in. Decent place for the price and within walking distance of everything we needed. Exhausted and hungry, and grateful we all arrived safely, we marched over to Tequila's for sustenance.

[aerofaze]

Day 3 – 216mi, Glenwood Springs to home, via Tennessee and Ute Passes

The next morning, I saw that my helmet looked like it belonged to the Lord of the Flies (these pics don't do justice).



We turned onto US 24 at Minturn to head southeast.





In Leadville, we stopped at Cookies With Altitude, which made it my third visit over the last year because their treats are addicting. You get 6 tasty cookies for $5.

We got home fine, albeit stiff. Overall a great trip with awesome scenery, decent roads, minimal hissy fits, and fun company.

[fasterlaster]

Looks like a total blast.

[madvlad]

Very jealous for sure, wish I could put that kind of riding in. So much of Colorado still to explore... sounds like next summer is PTO abuse time for some hardcore riding lol

[Clovis]

Sounds like you guys had a great ride. I'm jealous that I wasn't invited

[sfarson]

Great tale told by the pics and words. Great bikes too. The view at the Slumgullion Pass lookout is world class. Was almost electrocuted on top of Uncompahgre!

[stubbicatt]

Very nice. Was the homecoming queen riding in a tank?

[spdu4ia]

Now THAT is a trip report (*cough* John). Great pics and great ride.

[salsashark]

nice!

[aerofaze]

Very jealous for sure, wish I could put that kind of riding in. So much of Colorado still to explore... sounds like next summer is PTO abuse time for some hardcore riding lol

PTO abuse is where's it at, Damir.

Sounds like you guys had a great ride. I'm jealous that I wasn't invited

But it sounds like you have an even more epic ride coming up this weekend, of which I am jealous of.

Great tale told by the pics and words. Great bikes too. The view at the Slumgullion Pass lookout is world class. Was almost electrocuted on top of Uncompahgre!

Thanks! And it seems like anyone who's done a few 14ers has at least one almost-struck-by-lightning story (mine was on Harvard).

Very nice. Was the homecoming queen riding in a tank?

LOL, no. Was there a reason she should be? (PS: did you butt-dial me the other day?)

nice!

I had to channel my inner salsashark to do this report (cuz yours are always a good read)!

[Sean]

Looks like a really good ride! You three hit some really nice roads. 65 Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is one of my new favs! Next time, switch it up and hit the De Beque Cutoff, super tight and technical at speed.

[salsashark]

I had to channel my inner salsashark to do this report (cuz yours are always a good read)!

Well, by crashing a homecoming parade, you have certainly raised the bar

[Matrix]

I love reading reports like this. Now I can't wait to ride this weekend.

[JohnEffinK]

Now THAT is a trip report (*cough* John). Great pics and great ride.

Yes, yes THAT is a great trip report. Looks like it was a blast.

John

[Ninja2]

I think you guys are missing a bike in all those pics !!! Thanks for the great report, Sarah. Glad you had a great time.

[aerofaze]

I think you guys are missing a bike in all those pics !!! Thanks for the great report, Sarah. Glad you had a great time.

Somewhere in our hearts lurked an orange Aprilia, especially when we ate breakfast at Rosie's Little Bavarian in Glenwood Springs.

[Ninja2]

Oh. That's sweet. It's ok. I just realized I would have messed up the red, white and blue with my orange craziness.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Nice, I was planning a similar ride this weekend, but may not due to weather. How was it for you guys?

[aerofaze]

Nice, I was planning a similar ride this weekend, but may not due to weather. How was it for you guys?

Weather was great for us last weekend. Did you decide to go?

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Weather was great for us last weekend. Did you decide to go?

No, it looked like I was gonna get rained on all afternoon, so i worked on my dirtbike Sat and rode it all day Sun at Rampart. I'm planning on 2 weekends from this last one (10/15-10/16).

[powers]

...In Montrose, powers needed to make a lengthy stop at the motorshop there, but he urged Mntntoproc and me to go on- he'd meet up with us in Glenwood Springs. We were a little reluctant to split up, but he reassured us that he'd be ok- and besides, he's much faster than us and I knew he'd make good time.

Within 20 minutes of checking in at the Glenwood Motor Inn, we heard powers' R6 pull in. Decent place for the price and within walking distance of everything we needed. Exhausted and hungry, and grateful we all arrived safely, we marched over to Tequila's for sustenance.

My rear tire was toast, so I had to buy some crap dual sport rear. Thanks to Davis Service Center in Montrose for getting me home, but $75 to mount a rear tire is insane!

[OUTLAWD]

My rear tire was toast, so I had to buy some crap dual sport rear.

the perfect tire for winter riding