Breck-Epic recon: Gold Dust Stage

After yesterday's super ride, I was eager to get back out today for 5.5 hours. With all the snow still looming up high, I opted to scope out the Gold Dust Stage of the Breck-Epic which sits lower than most of the other stages. I have ridden a good chunk of the Gold Dust Stage last year....so this was a refresher. After wondering around East of Breck on some of the trails, I finally hit up Boreas Pass Rd. Nothing here but a long gradual climb up to around 11,300 ft. Which then descends a bit to the Gold Dust Trail.


Gold Dust starts out like this.



Then turns to this.



Then you cross over this....but not in the Breck-Epic.



Back to some more of this.


Then it gets technical for a bit. I about saw Josh Tostado loose his front teeth trying to ride this last July. Ernesto M. can confirm that. I believe this is also NOT in the Breck-Epic. It is too far south towards Como, CO.



The technical does not last long before you are greeted with more primo singletrack.



Hmmmmm, now which way? I really need to invest in a GPS.


I ended up climbing back up Boreas Pass Rd from the South head back towards the Breckenridge area. Legs were feeling good after 3 hours of ass-to-saddle time.



Boreas Pass Rd. looks smooth....but it is not. Going up!



After getting down and off Boreas Pass Rd, I hit up some of the Firecracker 50 course. It was delightful today with the light rain showers passing over.


I ended up climbing to the top of the Prologue TT again since I was in the area. A different view than yesterday. The rain was moving in, and I needed to start heading down!



Must.....make......it.......a bit.....further.....before turning around.



Never fails. The rained moved in. Dry trails were now moist. The Gore-Tex jacket made its first Breckenridge appearance of the year. Dropping down from 12,000 ft in 50F temps and rain....you do the math on that one.


Here is today's HR and elevation data off the Suunto T6. Mission accomplished. One more 5 hr day plan for Sunday. Just hope it stops raining.