CO Trail Segments 27 and 28: Hotel Draw To Durango
(Last Updated On: September 16, 2012)
After day 1 of the Molas to Durango Colorado Trail Bachelor Party extravaganza, we did our best to eat, drink, and recuperate for another big day. The good news was that we had some major downhills ahead of us as the trail drops down to Durango. The bad news was that we still had some climbing before we got there.
The first few miles featured short climbs and short descents and was a perfect warmup for the upcoming and notorious Indian Trail Ridge. We all got a kick out of this trail sign, especially since we couldn’t even see a trail. (Tuns out, however, that a local mine in the area was known as the Neglected mine)
The warmup ended, however, and we found ourselves on the up and down section known as Indian Trail Ridge.
This ridge was a blast, and totally rideable.
As was this skinny ridge…
Finally, we made it to Kennebec Pass and our first big downhill. I used the GoPro here, and I’ll post up that footage some other time when I’m done editing it. I still took a few photos, although my camera batteries were starting to die after all this time on the trail.
Just when you think all the climbing on these segments is through, the trail leaves Junction Creek and there is one more grunt of a 1,000′ climb. At the top of this climb, the last of the trail beers were finally drained.
We stopped again at Gudy’s rest, near the end of the trail. Named for Gudy Gaskill, one of the key figures in the development of the CT, Gudy’s rest is near the end of the trail and must be a point of introspection for thru-hikers and thru-bikers as they realize what they are about to accomplish. For us, it just meant our fun was coming to an end. I have absolutely no idea what everyone is gawking at in the photo. Anyone remember?
Well, that’s probably it for my Colorado Trail reports this year. Granted, my goal is largely finished- the longest section I have yet to ride is just 8.4 miles, and the rest totals just 25 miles. That just means I have something to do next summer! It’s been a ton of fun this season, that’s for sure. Thanks for following along.
Frank Konsella
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There is plenty of time. Why won’t you finish?
Plenty of time? It’s dumping at A-Basin this morning.
It’s a lot of driving for some tiny sections. I’ll pick them up here and there on my way to other things, but I don’t want to make a special trip out of it. But mostly, this fall is stacked full of events for me- next weekend is another bachelor party, this time on the White Rim, plus 2 more weddings. I’m booked pretty solid.
Thanks for sharing all the CT trip reports, been really digging them. I love that section from Kennebec to town, though I’m a wuss and paid someone to shuttle me to the top. 🙂
That ride is #1 on my hit list. Thanks for sharing Frank, that looks like my kind of good time.
Put the whole CT #1 on your list Tony. Such an incredible and diverse trail. I can’t even name my favorite section though Molas to Durango would be on the short list!
I’m glad you are keepin your love for biking alive Frank. Sometimes I go through those funks where I get bored with riding the same trails and lose motivation to travel to new ones.
This summer I did a bunch of three day backpacking/fishing trips and just rode a once or twice a week to change things up a bit. Funny thing is it seemed to make me a better rider all around, which equals more fun than ever on the bike.
Thanks for the awesome TR. Had a blast reading it again a few years later. Still can’t believe we were able to get such a stacked crew together. Let’s shred soon!
Definitely one of the best riding weekends ever. Let’s do a segment 21 and 23 weekend!