Monarch Crest

Ok, this one is presented without much writing. I mean, it’s an IMBA Epic. Part Colorado Trail. Part Continental Divide Trail. It has open, high altitude riding and dense, tree riding. It deserves the Epic status.

  

On second thought, there is one part which needs a little descriptive prose. The part where Mark causes damage to the forest. And just like Fangorn, sometimes the forest strikes back.

There was a particularly narrow section of trail, sinewy maybe. Slight downhill grade, the kind that makes you accelerate without pedaling. The grin grows, uncontrollably, like the head turns when passing some roadside carnage. And that's how it happens, smiling, speed egging you on, just asking to come play, just out of reach, just a little faster. Gravity supplying an unending, unyielding application of energy. The bike providing the catalyst of conversion, potential to kinetic. The trail acting as the test tube, shaking up the elements of motion, just waiting to see what happens.

Huh, then it happens. A little off balance, maybe a slight change in surface friction, and you get the trail equivalent of baking soda and vinegar. First some foaming bubbles, then the overactive reaction leading to a mess.

Tree or steep drop off? Tree is for sure damage due to sudden and impactful deceleration. You remember calc - third derivative of position? No? Come now, physics is life - postion, velocity, acceleration, then that magic - jerk. From physics book: "As its name suggests, jerk is important when evaluating the destructive effect of motion on a mechanism or the discomfort caused to passengers in a vehicle". Or when one has left the vehicle?

There's a little more chance in the steep drop off. Mark chooses to auto-rotate down the slope. Play the Helicopter Man if you will.

The Tree:

The Slope:

The Ice on damage inflicted by Forest:

It was an awesome ride. Level 1 Fun.

Saturday, or 25 miles above 10,000 feet.

Saturday morning brought waffles and eggs, then a cookie and latte at Steaming Bean.  Decided that Molas to Coal Bank Pass via Engineer Mtn trail was the route.  That selection did mean a trip up the road, a 7 mile trip as it turns out.  Oh, and did I mention that the low point on the road was 10,000 feet?  Made it to Coal Bank Pass parking around about noon.  Started the unload and suit up process.

We coasted down the road, boy was that fun – although some in the group thought the edge of the road fell off a little too quick.  Made it to West Lime Creek, the low point and shed some layers.  It was cool but sunny and the climb would start soon.

We headed up, gradual, smooth, just a granny gear to keep the breathing easy.  No need to go lactate threshold yet, that would come soon enough.

Made it to Molas, just taking in the views and refueling with some vanilla Hammer Gel.  Crossed the road and headed up the trail.  Just an easy spin, past mushrooms and pine trees to the upper parking area near Little Molas Lake.  Take a breather, and continue on.  Finally, we break tree line, and take an obligatory photo near the CT sign.  Such views, simply amazing and we really haven’ seen anything yet.

Head off toward Twin Sisters, stopped to eat lunch at about 11,500’.  Tried to catch Eric with the peaks just to set up some scale to the magnitude of the rock.  Really, in the grand scheme of things, we’re pretty small.

Sunflower seed butter and strawberry jelly sandwich sure tastes good at this elevation.

We made our way around the basin, and looked back to where we began.  We’ve come quite a ways, and a little fatigue is setting in.

We reach the end of the CT section for us, where we start on the Engineer Mtn Trail.  Pretty spent at this time, but put down another Hammer Gel and assess the length of trail and the remaining sunlight.  Hmmm…it may be dark when we get to the truck.  Gotta keep moving.  So, after our breather, we mount up and ride (and hike) some more.  There is a double black diamond section on Engineer Mtn Trail, and yes, it is steep.  And loose.  With exposure.

Finally, Engineer Mountain is within view.  Of course, we’re in the golden light time of day.  In this case that means the end of the day, which also means it’s getting dark.  Sunglasses were shed awhile ago, and the trail is starting to loose it’s definition between smooth and rocky.  Not quite the situation that I want to riding while in this state of fatigue.  Makes for some great photos though.

We made it back to the truck at dark.  Total ride time including refueling stops was 8.5 hours.  Total miles, 25, all above 10,000 feet. Pretty good for a bunch of low landers.

Steamworks was again the destination for evening food.  This time however, the celebration called for an epic – the Cajun Crab Boil.  Shrimp, crab, crawfish, andouille sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes, all boiled together with great spicyness.  Refueled from the trek, we headed back to the hotel and made a little more food, this time fried green chili quesadillas. 

Oh yum.  Then we slept the sleep of the just – to take a phrase from anthonys.  Wow, what a day.

Ah…Durango. This, is gonna be a long one.

So, the week at the cabin was just plain refreshing. Now, hit the road again, or roads as the case may be, to Boulder, then skirt Denver along the side of the mountains to 285 and cut through the rock to the interior of Colorado. Cutting through on 285 means driving right by the Kenosha Pass trailhead. Written and photographed by at least one –


http://www.anthonysloan.com/blog08oct1.html

Ridden by many. Grand country that.

It was a tough one driving by, seeing cars lining both sides of the road, beautiful fall day, bike on the rack in the back of the truck…tough indeed. But, the destination had it’s own calling, and quite a journey to get there.

Made an accidental rest stop in Salida. My love and I had one of those inevitable mis-communication moments. Such is life and the inaccuracies of the English language. But oh, what a glorious result, we entered town looking for a spot to make a very needed rest – and see a coffee shop – Café Dawn. Providence I say, providence.



Hey, the road needs traveled, the rest is needed, and why not at a coffee shop? What better place? Ok, a little background is needed. When possible, I will seek out the independent, local restaurant or coffee shop. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there is a place for Starbucks, and you will get the same latte in Phoenix as in Taipei, which is a comfort when away from home for some time. Albeit you will see a different menu -



But, for coffee shops, I mean, Macy’s in Flagstaff, Wicked Brew in Moab, Arches Book Company in Moab, Barking Dog Café and Stone Cup in Lyons, Kind Coffee and Coffee on the Rocks in Estes Park, Steaming Bean in Durango, all had great coffee. Some roasted their own beans, several used somebody else who was local in their own context. But, Café Dawn stood alone. The latte there invoked all of the senses. Sight – it was the only one on the trip which had art in it. Smell – great smell, as they all had. Taste – again very good, as all were. Sound – yes, they all had that whirring of the froth, building the anticipation of the drink once delivered. And finally Touch – it was the only one with texture, the texture of the latte. Thick, dense, velvet micro-foamed froth. Not just milk with foam on top poured into espresso.

Salida needs to be visited again – especially with trails like these:

Starvation Creek – Salida, CO

http://jenyjomtbbliss.blogspot.com/2009/08/frisatsun-pony-love.html

But, the road needs traveled, and the destination awaits. What a glorious side trip, and as Shakespeare said "things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing". So, on with the adventure.

We made our temporary home at Vallecito Reservoir. Nice campground, yes, flush potties and electricity. Magnificent spruce trees, and a fire ring for marshmallows. You know that food group that exists at the very point of the food triangle. Absolutely not left out, just minimized, or reserved, for special occasions. We'll come back to that later.

With Durango, comes high country as well. We made an afternoon trek to Molas Pass, 10,910 feet above sea level. Basically, uh, thin air. If you are flying a plane at that altitude, oxygen is required. But, plane piloting not withstanding, the high country holds particular sway over my desires and appreciations. It is so grand, it reminds me that my footsteps here aren't nearly as important as I think they are sometimes. Gives perspective.

The view into the Weminuche Wilderness


Above treeline



The Fam



The waning light and colors of summer.



And the Colorado Trail.



We leave the top of the world, to drive back to town. Steamworks Brewery awaits. Oh, green chili tamales and pizza's for the girls. Wow. Now, time for the drive back to camp. Sleep a sleep of blissful rest. Under a large comforter of course, for these Phoenicians.

The next day brought sleeping in, breakfast at camp and a late start. A truly restful day on vacation. Gather some wood, since tonight, it's...marshmallows!







And so ends a deligthful romp in Durango. Sleep. Awake. Make coffee. Hit the road. Phoenix and home calls.