AndreasOutside

North of Steamboat the valleys open up into vast ranchlands with lots of sky. After climbing to Columbine, it was a dreamy descent along the Snake River. Got caught in a thunderstorm and pitched my tent in a grove of trees just inside the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

Toughest climb so far that had me in my first gear often crawling along slower than walking. Half day for 20 km….the other half for the 70 remaining. Stunning land and sky scapes kept me moving along.

First rain on my trip helped me make use of gear that has been packed deep. Stunning and challenging ride into the Colorado River Canyon where many are challenging Class 5 rapids. Camped at a calm point in the river at Radium, Co.

The climb up from Como came later in the day but was extremely rewarding. With the pass closed to vehicles, it was great to have the ride up and down unimpeded by traffic. Dropping into the boutique shops in Breckenridge was overload, so I continued to Frisco which was not all that different but smaller…

Steady climb out of Salida to 10,000 feet was slow. Clouds cleared after I summited for a spendid ride through this dry plateau of treeless hills. Hartsel Cafe was a welcome end to a long day, as it was for Kit Carson, Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp as documented in a photo on the wall…

Very happy to rejoin the regular GDMBR today as I descended from Poncho Pass into Salida.

With extreme fire alerts continuing along the New Mexico and Colorado border I have decided to bypass this incredible section to the GDMBR(Map 5) and will head directly to Salida via Alamazo. Found a great place to rest today and stay for the night. This may well be a section to come back to when…

Extreme Fire Alerts has closed the San Pedro Forest. I had to reroute again. Finally stopped for the night in El Rito, NM. Arrived at 11pm with no evident sleeping options. Post Office doors were open so I did get some relief from a windy night in there.

Anticipating some heavy climbing in the days ahead, I took a stunning alternative route on asphalt through the Chaco Mesa. Road signs are in km on Navajo Road. Stopped at the only store along the way to camp.

Ride to Pietown took longer than expected but the Toaster House was there for a wonderful mid-day lunch and siesta. The afternoon and evening ride through El Malpais was stunning, finally finishing the day in Grants on Route 66.

Long hard ride back up to the Continental Divide to get back to the official route….then rocky steep climbing. This camp could not come soon enough. Fired up the stove(thanks Pringle) for a ramen and green tea dinner.

Wildfires forced me to reroute along Hwy180….no regrets as I ended the day at this amazing campsite…far away from city lights.