GDT Day 30 - Luders Creek CG to Pentitente Canyon

GDT day 30 Luders CG to Pentitente Canyon

Sat. Aug. 27, 2016

Start - ~10000'
High pt  10166'
Lo pt  7900
End Elv ~8000
Climbing 2300'

Miles 47.2
Total time 7:10
Ride time 5:30
Day with BOB 28

Good morning sunshine! After a number of wet and cold mornings, we are on an east facing slope, not in a valley, and no clouds to obscure to sun this morning. It is a classic Colorado mountain morning, with the sun warming us and the camp, if a little crisp from the cold front.
Today's leg looks to be a modest day, with two long down hills with a 2000 foot 11 mile modest grade climb to Carnero Pass in between.

So all looks good, on paper at least.
The thunder gods have a different plan as it turns out.

The downhill from Cochetopa Pass, Luders Creek area is fun and I start entering more southwestern like terrain, with rimmed canyons and mesa like mountains starting to show up.
A 6 mile stint on Colorado Hwy 114 brings me to the 11 mile climb. Wandering through the valley low lands is nice, but I note the clouds are building. I start the climb in earnest, and I hope the clouds do not do what clouds are wont to do. I escape their destiny for but a short while before the rains start about half way up. I hide for a bit at the beginning, hoping that it a short shower, and have some sustanence to bide the time. After 20 minutes or so, what the hell, got my rain gear on and therain looks to be a little lighter, so I restart. The lighter rain lasts but a teasingly short time, before becoming heavier. Another pine tree is my rain shade protection for a few minutes. What the hell agian, restart riding. The thunder gods are apparently not pleased, and this time they return with hail. I find an excellent hiding tree and escape the hail, but not the rain. What the hell, not getting any warmer under the tree, and restart yet again.

Next verse same as the first.

The rain slows and then stops as I approach the summit of Carnero Pass. I change out of my wet riding clothes for the long downhill to Pentitente.
I meet Richard fishing Carnero Creek right by the Coolbroth Canyon Gateway rocks. We share a beer and stories of the day, so far. I had been looking for a place to stop and wring out my wet socks, and avail myself to this on this break. My feet are warmer with no socks on at all, even on this cool and cloudy day. Richard has scored a spot at the Pentitiente CG, so I take my leave and continue the fast downhill to La Garita and the canyon.
The canyon is in a very southwesterny landscape, with pinon, and weird rock formations. Neale  and Richard soon arrive as well as Jim, a friend from Durango up to ride the loops at Pentitente with us.
The weather doesn't hold and we are forced to have dinner at the 3 Barrel Brewery in Del Norte, where the heavens open up in a sustained downpour.