Colorado August 2008
 

I had planned to ride the Colorado and Utah TAT in August, but work intruded and I didn't have the time I needed to complete the full trip.

So I tried to put a trip together that would give me a good 4 days of riding. I used the following guides to help plan the trip.

I threw the Husky in the back of the truck and headed West, as a Welcome to Colorado there was a hailstorm set up for me.

Spent the first night in Colorado in the town of Walsenburg, which was the gateway to CO 160 and La Veta Pass which I took West to South Fork

where I took 149 north to Creed, the countryside started getting a good bit more interesting, and the trend was always higher.

The suburbs has a different feel in Colorado....

More climbing......

If you notice the road a little right of center, it starts just to the right of where I am taking the picture from. and continues up the the headwaters of the river a really nice little trip.

This shit is high here........

North of Creede is Lake City, named appropriately enough for this lake, the road on the far side is the beginning of the Alpine loop to cinnamon Pass

Lake City was full up, seems like their schools are not in session yet and everyone was out getting the last few weekends of fun in.

I was able to get a room for one night, and explored the area before heading out to Silverton.

Silverton nestled in the mountains....

Dirt road to the right heads out to Animas Forks

Silverton is a great staging area, there is an incredible number of routes right out your back door, I found a sleeping spot and was ready to explore.

First day was a trip to Animas forks

After Animas Forks next stop is Engineer Pass @ 12,800 Feet

Weather was just about perfect, incredible sky.

scenery is so amazing I was going slow just to drink it all in, stopping every mile or so to look around.

the mountains here are so different than Georgia, which are all covered in trees, I kept stopping just to let it all sink in, dangle my feet off the edge, and just relax.  Nice having no schedule or anywhere to be.

The Road in picture center heads off to Ouray  via Poughkeepsie gulch

Every time I stop the jeeps are gaining on me...

What a sky!

The Husky at Oh Point 13,009 feet an incredible 360 degree view before dropping down to Engineer Pass at 12,800

Another route for another day, your own private lake.

East Side of Engineer Pass, picked this spot for a lunch break.

A bit of maintenance required?

After Arriving in Lake City, I took the 2nd half of the Alpine Loop back to Silverton, this passes through Cinnamon Pass at a paltry

12,620 feet.

The loop took about 6 hours to complete.

The next day I headed out to Ophir Pass, which runs to the town of Ophir, then Telluride, and Alta Lake.

This is the down hill side to Ophir after the pass.

right hand side is looking back up at Ophir Pass...

A local from Telluride, out for a cruise...

The town of Ouray

This stream is so infused with minerals it colors everything it touches.

Time is up.  Packed and ready to head back...

Nothing like a thunderstorm in the high plains...

the End. I will be back!