GET YOUR SIGNED COPY! After 2 seasons of research, and one year of a lot of writing and editing, Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: Colorado, was released in October, 2017! Published by Mountaineers Books, a foreward by Chris Davenport, and featuring 102 routes, we think you're sure to enjoy it. Buy your copy here and we'll personally sign it for you!
October is the magic time for the desert. Temperatures are usually perfect – 60’s or 70’s in the day, and not too cold at night. Living in Colorado, I feel incredibly lucky to have access to some of the nations highest peaks, yet only a few hours drive from some of the best desert around. The public lands around Fruita offers some fantastic mountain biking, and the Kokopelli Loops out of Loma are among my favorite.
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I’ll highlight one particular recent episode to give you an idea. Johnny Biggers grew up skiing in the Snowy Mountains of Australia. In the 70’s, he picked up a Skiing magazine at the local newsstand, and it had an article on Crested Butte
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I had actually never explored the Navajo Rocks area before. Natalie insisted we go there, and now I see why. The riding there is really fun – technical features, but not too technical. Pretty much everything is rideable. And, it’s incredibly scenic. I would happily ride there again!
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The calendar says it’s still fall. But, around Crested Butte, it’s winter. Some hail, “Oh, winter came early this year!” But they forget that this is normal for us. Winter comes in October most years, with the exception of the last three falls which have been irregularly warm. Admittedly, I’d be okay riding my bike through the end of October without the snow flying. But, I’m always embracing the season we we’re in. And right now, we’re in winter, whether the calendar says so or not.
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Ski season began with a bang for us this year. With consistent weekly storm patterns, snow has been gathering up high for the last few weeks. Although still relatively thin, the snowpack is deep enough to not worry too much about hitting debris underneath. Furthermore, it’s supportable and bomber. We’ve never seen anything like it this early in October. That’s why we skied lines this day that we did not touch last year until April.
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In my two-season TrailQuest journey, I wrecked 3 pairs of gloves, replaced 2 drive trains on my bike, replaced 7 tires, broke 2 helmets, tore up multiple pairs of shorts, ruined a few pairs of socks, wore out the soles of two pairs of shoes, spent roughly $2000 in parts and maintenance on my bike, endured too many saddle sores, broke my tailbone, and broke my little toe. I suffered on multiple long rides, occasionally breaking down to tears. But I also experienced so much joy in the beauty of the lands that surround us and in finding new trails that were new to me that made great rides.
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These trails? Well, they’re all west of the West Elk Wilderness, about halfway between Gunnison and Crawford. On paper, it’s a good loop. What we would find on the ground? That was still a bit of a mystery,
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We would have to say that we were pretty impressed overall with the mountain biking at Red Hill. The riding is high quality, and so are the views. This is also a great place to go once the high country has some snow- Carbondale isn’t quite as warm and dry as Fruita or Moab, but the season is certainly longer than other areas and you don’t have to drive all the way to the desert to get there. I’m sure we’ll be back.
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Mount Elbert (14,439′ – the highest peak in Colorado) is one of a few fourteeners that is not in Wilderness or private land, where mountain biking is actually allowed. Although few mountain bikers make a point to ride this awesome peak, the riding is here is top notch. I’ve been mountain biking Mount Elbert off and on for over 10 years now, and every time I find myself giddy with joy.
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