GDT Day 31 - Pentitente to Del Norte

Mon. Aug. 29, 2016

Start - ~ 7950'
High pt  8500'
Lo pt  7884
End Elv ~7884
Climbing 800'?

Miles 20.2
Total time 3:30
Ride time 2:23
Day with BOB 29

Wet night, wet morning, but sun is out to help dry things out. I had water in the tent after the long rains of last night, and wanted to use the sun to dry out, while I had it. This led to my latest departure of the trip to date, at 10:30

Ominous  clouds over the mountians to the SSW of Del Norte, my next route ride. Also to the west of me over the divide.
The riding was slow due to the roads being soft from the rains, but not muddy. I feel tired today, even though riding and climbing is not much. I do get off groomed county rpads on to much more primitive forest roads, (funny name for a 2 track without trees). This is my 9th day of riding in a row, and I think I will take a day off in Del Norte to rest, shower, do laundry, and re provision for the 5 day trip to Abiquiu. I will also check the weather, hoping Neales report of high pressure building by mid week holds. I really don't want to take the routes biggest climb to its high point of 11,900' with rainy thunderstorms as accompaniment.

The ride today goes through more volcanic rim rock and outcroppings surrounded by barren lands. I had hoped to ride a couple mile detour to La Ventana, an arch in a volcanic dike. But given the state of the clouds, and feeling tired, I want to push on before storms and wetness returns.

Pentitente MTB day

Sun. Aug. 28, 2016

The morning was warm and dry, such a nice change of pace after all of the rain yesterday while climbing Carnero Pass, and then deluge while in Del Norte for dinner last night.

Pentitent Canyon is just off the route by about a mile, and has some fun riding, as well as rock climbing, and Spanish history to boot. There are wagon ruts worn into the stonefrom early Spanish settlers as well as a cliff painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe on the canyon walls.

Richard's and Neale's friend Jim came up from Durango last night to ride Pentitente, a first for all three. I have ridden it but once 6 years or so ago. It has been improved and expanded since then. The weather was a treat, the trail fun and playful amongst the outcroppings, twisting and whoop-de-doing through a maze alleys, channels, and bulges of rock breaching the earth like great leviathans of stone. They were fun to ride over and around them.
After the riding, and the requisite post ride beers, my friends are heading out, back to Durango. I am left to continue on my Divide paths, grateful for our shared time, riding, and company. I hope a fall trip works to meet again soon.
....

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.