Middle St. Vrain, Coney Flats 4-Wheeling

Another relaxing day four wheeling on a sunny Fall weekend.  This time we went to Coney Flats and had a great time viewing the scenery, and managing some small obstacles along with some large bits of water.  The dogs had a great time getting out and getting muddy.  I accidentally stepped in about a foot of mud with one leg when I got out of the vehicle to walk around a bit.  This was rated a difficult trail, but there was nothing that required a spotter.  It was just fun!

Reflections on the water as Sean drives through one of the longer water sections.

 



This was the deepest water that we passed through.

 

Blue skies all day.

 

Bishop taking one of her many breaks from being inside the vehicle.

 

Moab walking across the bridges around the water.

 

Sean driving over some basic rocks and water.

 

Most of the trail was similar to this, with bits of water and bits of rock here and there.

 

A corner into some more water.

 

There was mud surrounding this watery section.

 

Getting close to the exit of a watery section.

Driving over Cottonwood Pass & Four Wheeling on Taylor Pass

So, we decided to get out and explore some the passes before they close entirely for the season.  Cottonwood Pass was still open...but we only got through part of Taylor Pass four wheeling before we were stopped by snow.  It was gray skies on the way out and clear skies on the way home.  We set up camp late at night on Taylor Pass and woke to a flat tire, but rolled it down to the Trading Post where we put some air in and made our way back home in order to get the wheel fixed properly.


 Yay!  Four wheeling Taylor Pass.

Can you see the two elk with full antlers?  It was awesome to see them in real life through the fog.

 

Looking down from the top of Cottonwood Pass on our way to Taylor Pass.

 

Continental Divide

Looking towards some mountains with gray skies on the way to Taylor Pass.

 

Moab really enjoyed the snow.

 

Sean stepping back in to the vehicle after turning it around due to huge snow drifts on Taylor Pass.

 

 

Bishop was also stoked to play in the snow.

 

Bishop running along side of the vehicle.

 

The lake on Taylor Pass.  Moab loved the cold water.

 

The lake with fog.

 

Amber, Moab, Bishop

 

We actually drove past the lake at first, since the visibility was so poor.

 

Moab coming through some brush.

 

Bishop sprinting circles in the snow.

 

 

 

Coming down Taylor Pass a little late in the day...

 

Tight corner on Taylor Pass

 

 

 

Driving down the river on Taylor Pass

 

A bit more snow around Taylor Pass than we anticipated.

 

Coming back over Cottonwood Pass the next morning after playing on Taylor Pass.

 

Snow on trees!  Seasons change.

 

Clear skies on the way home.

 

This guy got a little bit off track and went down the mountain on Cottonwood Pass.

 

The tow trucks used several pulley systems to get the truckand RV out.

 

Sean was happy to be in the mountains!

 

Amber was all rugged up drinking coffee while waiting for the towing people to get someone's RV and truck out, fortunately they did get it out after not too long of a wait...

 

Moab took every opportunity to walk in the snow.

 

Moab and snow = bliss!

 

Red Bull Final Descent, Angel Fire, NM 2012

I'm a little late with this post as this event was at the end of September, but I figure if all the old fashioned paper mountain biking magazines can do it, then so can I.  So, I finished the final race in the 12 hour Red Bull series.  It went off at Angel Fire, and I LOVED this course.  The part about racing on it for 12 hours was grueling at times and fun at times.  I had some awesome individual lap times that I can't wait to go back and make even faster.  I liked the changes they made to the course, and I am excited to go ride that course again down the new and improved World Cup.  I feel pretty pumped that I actually completed the entire series, since endurance racing has never been my favorite activity.  I was beat at the end, even though we had a lightning hold for part of the race.  Sean was the best race support ever, fixing several mechanicals and supplying appropriate nutrients. 

The pit crew.  Sean and I texted back and forth for the duration of the race to determine supplies and help with mechanical issues. 

 

Bishop running around the pit.

 

This mouse hung out at the base tent with Sean.

 

After the race...Amber about to fall asleep with Bishop.

 

coming throught the tent on one of many laps

the running start

 

lining up for the event

 

Requisite early morning prerace meeting.

Early morning before the race.

 

Night podium

Guanella Pass Fall Bouldering and Four Wheeling

We scoured Guanella Pass and had a great time exploring, but didn't find many ideal boulders.  The leaves were out in full glory turning their yellow, red, and golden colors to attract the leaf peepers.  This made it even trickier to find the boulders because most of the people out were not bouldering, but rather just taking photos.  Nevertheless, it was a refreshing day outdoors.  Loved, loved, loved being outside having small adventures today.

  

 

Moab watched Sean playing on the boulder.

 

 

Sean having some fun on some solid rock.

Amber...reach!

 

...yeah, need to go up from here.

 

Good thing we found this chill boulder, since we hadn't been bouldering outside in a long while.

...and part of the time, Moab lounged under the boulder and watched the forest.

 

Bishop had zero interest in bouldering, alternating between watching the squirrels and chasing the squirrels.

...a brief glimpse of some Fall trees.

 

We passed by some peaks in our adventures.