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.