Every fall, I end up with a mental list of rides I’d like to do before the snow flies. Scarp’s to the Dyke was high on my list this year, as it had been at least 4 years since the last time I rode it. Tom was up for it, while Brittany decided to join us on the Dyke trail portion. Despite the threatening-looking weather, we were able to pull it off with just a few sprinkles here and there.
After a warm-up ride on the lower loop, we began the relentless 3,000′ climb up Gunsight pass. Tom’s photo:
From the top, looking down:
From the top of the pass, we immediately were confronted with a short hike-a-bike section. Tom:
After that, the Scarp’s ridge trail is a primitive faint trail along the length of Scarp’s ridge. On the rider’s right there is often a huge amount of exposure, but with technically easy riding. Frank, photo by Tom:
Tom:
More shots of me by Tom:
More shots of Tom. With the spectacular setting, the changing colors, and the stormy light, we got a lot of shots and I’m posting a lot of them…
My favorite of the day, a shot by Tom of me…
We eventually dropped off Scarp’s and headed down towards Irwin Lodge on trail 419. The trail is mostly abandoned and badly eroded, but it’s still fun. Tom’s photos:
One of Tom heading towards Ruby Chute:
We made our way to the start of the Dyke trail and met up with Brittany who had been waiting there for a while. After the adventure-style riding we had been doing, the bermed-out and well-ridden Dyke trail was a totally different and (by then, at least) welcome experience. Tom’s photos of Brittany:
And one of me, again by Tom:
My shots of Brittany:
A shot of Tom and I that Brittany took. Still green down here!
After the climb up and over Kebler Pass, we headed down to town via the fairly new Wagon Trail. It isn’t the funnest trail in the world, since it just parallels the road, but it’s still singletrack. Brittany:
We rode straight to the Brick Oven for some beers and pizza, making for a roughly 35 mile and 5,500′ ride for Tom and I. Tom took a bunch of other great photos, and his website is here. Another one checked off the list 
Found your blog after you post on Lou’s. This ride looks amazing. I will have to add it to my list for a CB trip this year.
It’s a great ride, Greg, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. You might like the snow mesa ride we did a while back near Creede as well if you like high alpine adventure-style riding…
What great shots stumble across these photos. Brings back such good memories. Crazy single track across Scarps.
thanks
Hammy
I’ve been looking at this route all year. I hope to ride it next week while in town. I had hoped to ride it while visiting last summer (the week before you rode it), but was injured; so I only I only got a chance to hike up from Lake Irwin and back.
Keep your fingers crossed that you get a good break in the Monsoon pattern, Ken. Good luck, it’s a scenic one!
Where did you start to hike a bike. was it once you got to the top of gunsight just hike up the ridge? ive been down that scree field and dont want to do that again!
Exactly- From the Gunsight notch, go straight up the steep slope on the ridge. The trail becomes clearer after the first 100′ or so. Have fun!