Personally, one of the best rides in Colorado exists just to the south of Winter Park, CO. Most riders, me included at times, are head down and full steam to get over Berthoud Pass to get that day started at Trestle Bike Park. Don't get me wrong, Trestle Bike Park is amazing! But sometimes, the sense of adventure outweighs the lift lines, berms, jumps, and park features. Not many are aware that just off of Hwy 40 to the west while en route to Winter Park sits Jones Pass. This route was new to me until about 4 years ago. Now, I try to make room in my schedule to hit this out-n-back ride at least once a year. I didn't need to be in Winter Park until 4 PM to set up the Ergon Bike booth in the expo, so I pinged Kyle Taylor from 92Fifty Cyclery, who had the day off, to meet me at the trail head to get in a few hours on this route.
The route starts with a 45-60 minute jeep road climb right from the parking lot. Steep in spots, but manageable with the Pivot and Canyon bikes we were on. The time spent pedaling this road, puts you right on the divide, just over 12,000 ft. Winter in Colorado was long and rough in 2013/14. Signs on the hard winter are still towering in the high mountains of Colorado. The cornice still exists and blocks the jeep road access to the top of the pass, in most cases 20 feet or higher. Bikes soon became crampons and ice axes as we scaled up the wall of snow.
After making our way up and over the cornice without any carnage, we were well on our way southward on the CDT. Well defined, this trail snakes along towards I-70. For the most part, this trail in 90% rideable with a few steep punches and scree to get over.
No matter how many times or how high in elevation I ride in Colorado, I am visually blown away by the massiveness of the Rocky Mountains. Kyle, pedals across one of the many saddles in the route....not sure if he is key'd in on the trail in front of him or if he is looking at what I am seeing through the camera to his left.
Weather is always a factor when riding this high in elevation. We had eyes and ears to the sky all morning. Dark clouds began their early afternoon dance as we rode on.
The route starts with a 45-60 minute jeep road climb right from the parking lot. Steep in spots, but manageable with the Pivot and Canyon bikes we were on. The time spent pedaling this road, puts you right on the divide, just over 12,000 ft. Winter in Colorado was long and rough in 2013/14. Signs on the hard winter are still towering in the high mountains of Colorado. The cornice still exists and blocks the jeep road access to the top of the pass, in most cases 20 feet or higher. Bikes soon became crampons and ice axes as we scaled up the wall of snow.
After making our way up and over the cornice without any carnage, we were well on our way southward on the CDT. Well defined, this trail snakes along towards I-70. For the most part, this trail in 90% rideable with a few steep punches and scree to get over.
No matter how many times or how high in elevation I ride in Colorado, I am visually blown away by the massiveness of the Rocky Mountains. Kyle, pedals across one of the many saddles in the route....not sure if he is key'd in on the trail in front of him or if he is looking at what I am seeing through the camera to his left.
Weather is always a factor when riding this high in elevation. We had eyes and ears to the sky all morning. Dark clouds began their early afternoon dance as we rode on.
Traversing around 12,500 ft, we were just a few moments from turning around as our personal weather consciences began to send up red flags.
Speechless.
With a sense of urgency, Kyle makes his way back to Jones Pass to begin the 10 minute jeep road descent back to the cars.
We timed it just right. We had to make our way back down the 20 foot high cornice as the black clouds built up and moved easterly. With the sun still shining, we scaled down the cornice and dropped back down to the cars. 45 minutes later, the skies would open up with rain and hail.
No doubt, this is a great way to open up the 4 day weekend at the Colorado Freeride Festival and Enduro World Series!