Sun. Aug. 21, 2016
Start - 10200'
High pt 11482'
Lo pt 8930'
End Elv 8930'
Climbing 1700'?
Miles 50
Total time 6:50
Ride time 5:12
Day with BOB 24
Another divide crossing at Boreas Pass, my 14th me thinks
Good morning sunshine, climb, and climb up the easy grade of Boreas Pass road, a former railroad grade. Heading up toward the sky, onward as tree line teases with the pass as it finds the low spot in the saddle; yet Boreas and Red Mountain continue to stretch skyward, clad in only alpine tundra once above the death zone for trees - but still enough air for me! This is the highest elevation so far on the route, and will be another week or so 'til the route will go higher, not until Indiana Pass south of Del Norte. There is however a near 10,000' watershed divide to get to Salida tomorrow, followed by 3 more 10,000+' passes (w/ 2 Divide crossings) between here and Indiana Pass. Umm, good training I guess. Really heading into in the high Rockies of my home state now, with higher elevations, thinner air, and longer climbs to contend with, rewarded by glorious scenery and of course, the downhills!!!!
So 7 miles up to the summit from my Breck place, balanced nicely with a 7 mile downhill into the Como area and onto South Park. I road 24+ miles in those treeless park lands, yet trees were never that far away.
There was a notable amount of wash board, and even with my shocks, at times I felt my whole being vibrating, a pervasive brownian motion, down to my cells, their molecules and even the atoms of my essence. ( atoms are always vibrating, indeed all matter is unless they acheive absolute zero temperature.... soooo the entirety of the universe is vibrating during my south park ride... uhhh, umm, I doth believe I digress ).
Despite the wash board sections the road was pretty good and I made good time, and got into Hartsel.earlier than anticipated. Thisndidnallow.me to hit the cafe/saloon .and enjoy an IPA frim the excellent South Park Brewwry from Fairplay. Decided to have dinner ther to, before heading out the window miles to Hartsel.Springs Ranch.
Was not sure what to expect, but arrived at their very nicely done lodge, and got to camp right next to the South Platte River (really just a stream up this far). This was adjacent to the party barn, where they must hold dances and receptions. The barn was a nice get away from the winds and spitting rain of the evening. Included with my camping fee was a shower in the lodge and free run of the kitchen for cooking, which made the morning ritual move along faster. Of course they have WiFi, which am using as I type.
They morning light over the Platte and parkland was quite delightful as I went about packing up.
