I wound my way up through Pagosa Springs, across Wolf Creek Pass (first of seven mountain passes I would go over in the course of the day) on my way to Lake City which was my lunch destination. Living in Colorado for years I remember everyone crowing about how beautiful the aspen trees are when they changed. I always thought they were looney. Having done some of my growing up in Iowa, I always preferred the reds, oranges and yellows of the different trees as they changed. Let’s see, these trees all turn the same color? How exciting could that be? I guess I never really saw them in my previous years as a resident (maybe the diseased and dying aspens in my former neighbors backyard tainted my view), or maybe I just happened to be in the right place at the right time on this trip. They were gorgeous. At one point on my way to Lake City it was like riding through a golden tunnel.

My pictures don’t do them any justice, but here’s the best one of the bunch. My only advice is to plan an early fall trip and hope you’re there at the right time, I was there mid September which seemed to be about perfect. Hey, if you miss them the worst thing that can happen is that you have to plan another trip back next year. (And I plan on going back just for the riding, well that and I have family there too =) )

I paused for few pictures near the top of Slumgullion Pass, but the real story is the road down into Lake City. I admit that at this point I’m a fairly new rider with (at the time of this writing) just a little more than 6000 miles under my belt, but this road was awesome. It was so steep and the switchbacks so abrupt that my speedo was having a hard time reaching it’s upper range. It was a blast. =) Coming around one of them I involuntarily pointed my boot in towards the engine, I was sure I was going to drag something. But the GS is an amazingly capable bike. I never once touched ground and probably could have leaned the thing over even farther. Needless to say, I was in a very good mood when I pulled into Lake City. I stopped at a little Italian place called Poker Annie’s for an amazing calzone. If you’re in the area I would recommend a stop.

Not all of Colorado is good. I have to say Gunnison was pretty dull, but it was just a passing moment on my way to Denver. The road over Monarch Pass was just as fun as Slumgullion, but this time it was the sweeping curves of 3 and 4 lane highway just begging me to lean the bike over at speed. Being the nice guy I am, I obliged them without a second thought. =)

As I pushed on by Poncha Springs and through South Park (no, not the cartoon) traffic picked up, a lot. Colorado has become a popular place, and the closer I came to Denver the more I had to focus on the traffic. This final stretch into Denver was the least enjoyable part of my trip. This is partially due to the timing of my arrival. I got there just in time for rush hour, but I survived despite the efforts of some.

The next day I wound my way up to Mt. Evans. It’s one of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, and I had the intention of riding up to the very top (which you can do when the summit isn’t snowed in). Arriving at the ranger station I was pleased to learn that the road to the summit was still open! They usually close it after Labor Day due to snow, but the snow was late in coming this year so they had left it open. None of the pictures I took from the very top turned out very well, so you’ll just have to make a trip up there yourself. =) It’s odd when you’re carving the canyons of these giants to suddenly find yourself at the very top. It’s kind of a spiritual thing.

I wound my way down from the mountain and wandered over to Idaho Springs. Not quite a lunch stop, but I had a hankerin’ for a chocolate shake which was not to be denied! Fortunately Idaho Springs is a nice little tourist trap and I was able to get my fill. I then continued by wandering up the front range, passing by Black Hawk and Central City. I had never been there in all the years I lived in Colorado, I got a chuckle out of the mountain sides that have been moved for the sake of casinos.

I stopped just short of Allenspark on the way to Estes Park. I had some dates to keep with friends back in Denver, so it was time to head back. But that’s okay, I had one more day of riding in Colorado, this time with my sister who had the audacity to buy the exact same Beemer I did! (But I’ve got more miles on mine, nya nya nya) =P

I guess despite our beliefs we really are more alike than not. But she’ll tell you the GS is just a fantastic bike, and Mandarin Orange is the best color they come in. What can I say, I agree whole heartedly. We only did about a half days trip, going up through Golden to Eldorado Springs Canyon, and the rest of the way to Estes Park. Unbeknownst to either of us there was an arts and crafts fair going on. It made a nice place to stop for lunch and watch the people go by.

We wound back down the mountains through Boulder and back through Golden. We called the day complete with a stop at Red Rocks Park. I’d been there several times over the years, but you know everywhere is better when your riding. =)

New Mexico
Tue February 04 2003

Colorado
Thu February 06 2003

Utah
Thu February 06 2003