I had wanted to get over to Steamboat Springs for a while since we have never been there let alone ride there so we decided Saturday to pack up and head to Steamboat.
Saturday we drove out there and just checked out things, the town was a great little town and Amber and I picked ourselves up a cowboy hat each.
We camped right near the start of the ride we had picked out to do - Rabbit Ears/Mountain View. This is a trail that follows the Continental Divide trail (1102) going past 4 high country lakes and the photos I had seen made it look like it would be great fun. It also had the advantage of being an out and back trail which I like when riding an area for the first time as you can always just turn around and head back the way you came at anytime.
I had hoped to follow the trail and then continue onto the Buffalo Pass section of the trail.
The trail started with a pretty steep descent away from the camp site with a great mix of rooty and rocky trail. It was very encouraging, but was daunting to know we would have to ride back up it on the way back.
Most of the ride was under dark timber and it constantly threatened to rain on us.
This is the first lake we came to - Fishhook Lake - very scenic!
The trail mostly was uphill on the way out with the surface mixing between loamy soft soil to rocky sections to rooty sections - amazing variety.
I wore an orange shirt because we camped amongst Bow Hunters. We didn't see any along the trail but near the start there was the constant call of Elk which I assume was actually hunters.
This is the second lake we came across - Lost Lake.
Throughout the entire ride the quality of the riding was amazing. I really enjoyed the rocky sections (of which we didn't get many photos).
About two thirds into the ride the rain started. We managed to stay ahead of the worst of it as once we returned these sections were flooded (and it was cold riding)
Single track in Steamboat springs is going to grow on us quickly, I expect we will spend a lot of time there next summer - hopefully in July when Crested Butte is overwhelmed by bugs.
This is the 3rd lake - Lake Elmo.
This is the last lake - Round Lake.
With the bad weather we decided to turn around and head back rather than continue out the Buffalo Pass section. Not a bad thing as it means we have to come back and do it again. There are a lot of great trail options from where we turned back.
The trails were pretty wet as we returned back to the car, Amber and I both ended up with cold, wet fingers and toes. It was evidence that Summer had past and Fall was here.
This was a great little section of trail both on the way out and the way back.
Most of riding on the way back was fun downhill sections.
Overall it was a great ride and if the other trails in the area are anything like this one I expect to be spending a lot of time out here next summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment