Indian Peaks RMNP Bike Pack Loop Day2

Indian Peaks Rocky Mountain Park Bike Packing Loop from Nederland, Co 7/2017

The first day was a long day with plenty of climbing on loaded bikes.  I sleept okay but was up a few times despite being tired.  We packed up under over cast skies which looked like rain, a possiblity today at least for the afternoon.  I heated up water again and had some tea and two batches of oatmeal.  

 Off we went with the divide covered in grey clouds---hoping we could fast enough to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.

 We found a little canal connector over to Lake Granby which was a nice way to warm up the legs this morning.  

 And a few more dirt roads around before the highway was unavoidable again for a bit.  

 But, this is a nice route even with some road sections--the views are great.  

 Another side spur through some county dirt roads--this one started with a steep climb but the views were worth it.  

 We had a good bit of wild life on the trip, including several deer that seemed to have it out for David both days.  Here we saw some Antelope grazing in the morning sun.  

 Views of Grand County

 John's setup

 David's setup

 Nearing the Granby Airport

 There was a City Market and subway in Granby so we stopped to resupply and have breakfast number two!  All of us were hungry again and the cafe in Winter Park was still a few miles away--maybe late lunch?  

 Eventually near Snow Mountain Ranch we got on the Fraser to Granby trail--no more highway for a long time!  

 Clouds were moving in but we all were pedaling strong and kept moving towards Winter Park and our final climb back over the continental divide to Nederland.  

 Stopped at the town park in Winter Park proper to refuel water and stretch before another large climb up Corona Pass.  

 The clouds....from a radar check we were going to see rain no matter what on the pass, just a matter of when.  

 This way used to be the railroad grade up and over the divide--nice part is it pretty much is 4% the whole way so you just have to sit, spin and grin!  

 This trestle is called gun sight notch where the track used to loop back over itself to get over a steep grade.  Here we ran into the rain and being right at tree line we jumped into the trees for a while. You can see the rain drops on my handlebar bag.  I was slow up this climb with having to stop several times and just walk--congested today and maybe coming down with something but hoping just allergies.  

 I setup my tarp real quick and we huddled under it to keep from getting super wet until we had a dry window.   I had been stashing these M&M's so I broke those out to give us all a little boost.  

 David in his rain gear ready to finish the divide crossing

 John also just about ready after we tore the tarp down.  

 Look closely--someone built a little snowman at the top of the snow pile.  

 Crossing over above tree line.  

 The clouds back at Winter Park did not look so good but we committed to moving over the divide either way.  

 Got hot so took off the rain gear...then of course it starts to rain again!  :)  

 Almost there--Corona pass is in the middle of the pic at 11,648ft.  

 Heading over, and a small snowfield to cross first.

 The view back North East did not look so good and we could hear some rumblings

 Tired, wet and ready to get home!  

 A little alpine area to bypass a collapsed tunnel on the route.  

 You can see the railroad grade cutting across the bowl on the East side.  Here we let air out of tires.  I decided not too and do that later.  After I did my front tire went flat twice--not sure why but after I pumped it back up with the Co2 with a little more pressure, it did not happen again (and has held air this week).  Very strange. 

 Almost back to tree line.  The mosquitoes were horrific here and of course I needed a pit stop.  Poor David and John got eaten pretty good but again, they hung in there and were patient with me.  

 We finished the railroad grade nad back to Nederland.  It was 8pm so we opted to race back, get the cars and come back to Ned for some Crosscut Pizzeria action to refuel before we all headed home.  

It was all a blur....but awsome trip with good friends.  And, this was a tough loop for two days!  

Today was another solid day--75 miles and 5400ft of climbing.   This made us all tired and eating some pizzas was just the way to end the trip.  That gave us a total of 165 miles and 13,400ft for the two days.  Mapping software told us it would be 17K feet of climbing--good thing it was not or we all would have been in a world of hurt I think!  

This was a great trip with good friends and great shakedown for our next big August trip--actually only 1.5 weeks away...hope the legs and sit bones have some time to recover for many miles ahead.  Thanks for the company John and David!  

Indian Peaks RMNP Bike Pack Loop Day1

Indian Peaks Rocky Mountain Park Bike Packing Loop from Nederland, Co 7/2017

This trip idea had been thrown around since last year, maybe even the year before but finally the opportunity came up to tackle it.  This was to be a shakedown trip for our larger 8 day Northern Colorado loop trip coming up in August.  We planned a two day loop of the Indian Peaks Wilderness from Nederland, Colorado connecting dirt roads and some pavement all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The pics and some text will tell the rest.

I was able to get away on this trip only because Amy's mom was in town and helped her with the kids, dogs, and house which I am greatly appreciative.  We have had a lot going on lately and to have a chance for 48 hour break was pretty darn lucky.  

We met up early on a Monday morning to avoid traffic from my house and I was not going to miss the dirt pile in the driveway that still needed more shoveling.  John and David were there and looking strong...

 A little detour on CR103

 Passing Rainbow Lakes Road--we were thinking of the Sourdough trail but due to the rigid bike setups and loaded bags, the rockiness of the sourdough did not seem attractive.  Plus, the extra time of riding the single track all the way to Peaceful Valley would affect our final destination today.  

 At Ward we jumped on CR 100 and then headed to Peaceful Valley

 Jumped on to Bunce School road which connects another section of dirt roads.  Always nicer than the highway even though large part of the peak to peak has been repaved in the last year.  

 Lots of shade here with some climbing but was a great way to start the day.  Very minimal traffic on the roads.

 We passed a few groups of UTV's with tourists drivign them and I could not figure it out until we got to the end of Bunce School road and saw the trailers and all the UTV's.  Huge operation, had no idea but seems popular!  Glad we were early to beat the main crowds and all the dust on the dirt!

 End of Bunce School Road

 A nice view of Meeker and Longs just behind it

 A little Marvel Comics lingo on a mailbox--good for a laugh

 Chapel on the road--closed for reconstruction from flooding a few years back

 David Stretching his legs--something I did way more than he did! 

 Passing Longs Peak trail head.  I originally thought about this route being 3 days long and figured I would stay at the campground here the first night.  This make more sense if you take the single track on sourdough and loop Brainard lake.  

 Longs and the Diamond--great weather today so far!  

 Lily Lake Visitors center stretch/food and restroom break.  

 Parking lot was the scariest part of our day--crazy with folks trying to get a spot to park.

 After taking Mary's Lake cutoff over to the RMNP entrance we stopped at the small market and had deli sandwiches.  

 Approaching the entrance station.  We had about a 2 mile line of cars to get into the park but we could ride the shoulder around it.  I ended up stuck behind a large passenger bus and was breathing the exhaust for a while--seemed okay but will pay for that later.  

 We rode over to the hwy 34 junction but not after a bad mapping on my part on a spur road in the park--the road did not connect but instead was a trail which is not legit in the RMNP.  I also got real dizzy and had the shakes riding--which was suggested this from the exhaust--not sure but it did put it to me!  I needed a stop at the next TH and rested a bit on the picnic tables to get myself together.  David and John were extremely supportive and patient during this period.  

 So, we took Fall River Road, 14 miles of dirt in the RMNP that comes out at the Alpine Visitor Center--steady grade on most of it but the views are great.  I just had to get into a set spinning routine to keep myself going to get there from how I was feeling.  Started to have stomach issues too which was not welcoming.  

 David and John were a good bit ahead and I was teased with glimpses of them here and there.  I would catch them when they took a break in the shade.  

 View to the east back towards Estes Park

Lots of nice water falls to keep your mind off the climbing

 Reaching tree line and plenty of snow still up here at 11,000ft.  

 We choose to rest the legs here and walk--steep grades can easily burn some matches and you only have so many left.  

 Alpine Visitor Center in site!  Almost there and lots of downhill the rest of the day.  

 Here are all three of our bikes getting a deserved rest of the visitor center!

 Then we had many miles of downhill on fast pavement to Shadow Mountain Lake

 A quick visitor center stop for water at the entrance/exit station on the west end of RMNP and we found a forest service campsite to grab for the night.  

 David and John setup their tents as I finish heating up my water...seems like using the stove on the gravel versus the wooden table may be a smart move?  :)  

 A little pinneapple orange chicken tonight for me.  

 This is a great way to shake down your gear and see how each of the other riders uses/packs their gear and what they bring.  I had my tarp with me this time to sleep under and they were using lightweight tents.  Each of us have a system we are comfortable with.  

Long day--almost 90 miles and 8K+ feet of climbing today.  Not bad!  We will all sleep darn well tonight.  

Day 2