Well I don’t know if this is a trip report or not. Maybe just some pics and videos taken on a few days I slipped away from the family while on vacation for a couple weeks in Colorado.


There had been a couple of wildfires in the news near us, so I decided to go up Storm Mountain to get a better view. Round mountain fire and Cow creek fire http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=141893

Click the vid to watch. (every one of my vids has that confused look on my face, waiting for the little red light to blink telling me the camera is on )


This is at the top of the Storm mountain rd FR 128. Smoke filled Big Thompson Canyon.

 

Headed back down because it was starting to rain. The upper part is a jeep trail , farther down in elevation there are quite a few homes, and the road is in good shape. Very twisty in spots though. I think you can see at least 3 switch backs here.



Some body else out having fun.


It had stopped raining by the time I got to the pavement, so I decided to go further down the canyon, and see about the fire close up. 5 minutes later it really rained  I found a spot to hide under a rock overhang and had a snack.


The rain helped the fire crews and a few days later the round mt fire was considered contained. Here are a couple time lapse pics I took the night before this ride.





Here's another time lapse photo. It’s actually dark out. This is at the top of Devils Gulch, looking at the town of Estes Park Co.

 

For the next ride I headed down towards Rollinsville Co and the Moffat tunnel area.
All rigged up and ready to go.


Took the twisty pavement to the town of Nederland Co. (Famous? For their annual “Frozen Dead Guy festival”)



at the local mining museum.

 

Picked up a deli sandwich at the local supermarket threw it in the back pack and headed out. Took the FR 355 to the abandoned Lone Star Mine where I sat and ate my lunch.







After lunch took the FR105 down to rd16 out of Rollinsville and headed up to the 6mile long Moffat tunnel. I’m a train nut too.



Needs some paint,but hey at least they have satellite tv.

 

Left the tunnel portal, and headed up the old RR grade where the tracks used to go up and over the pass that the tunnel goes under now.

Shot looking back at the tunnel.


Video going up the old RR bed. Passing yankee doodle lake and going up, over, and around the first of a few snowed in rock cuts.
click to play.


After traversing a couple snowed in spots my luck ran out here. End of the line for me today.


I walked up the road a bit further and it just got worse. No point in trying to go around any more spots. Not too far beyond here is the impassable caved in Needles eye tunnel.


mountain bikers and hikers








Back down at Yankee Doodle lake

 

I continued back down the Rollins pass rd and took another FR road through the town of Apex on my way to Central City. To me the neatest thing about Central City is the cemetery. They are still burying people here but it looks like everything after that is up to mother nature. Looks like a good place to be on Halloween night ( or any dark night)





Getting late so I headed home. I slabbed it all the way back to Estes which is a fair piece away.
The bugs were out.

 

The last ride was closer to home FR119 to Johnny Park rd.
I caught a wipe out on tape, but it’s in a 10+ min video I haven’t uploaded yet.
Not a very spectacular crash, and luckily no damage.
Scuffed hand guard.


Mt Meeker



“Motor vehicles prohibited beyond this point” it says welded onto 1/4inch steel plate.
Apparently high power rifles are still ok here!


Wow


Coming down Johnny park rd. Popular spot with the Jeep guys. Pretty easy on the KLX



Later on another trail. Somebody’s just out plinking here. Sorry deej no poop for size comparison.

 

Fun’s over headed home.


On the way home we stopped to see what this “glass barn” we have noticed for a few years was. If your on I80 near Gretna Ne look south up on the hill. It’s actually a catholic church. (google Holy Family Shrine)






I told the kids I’d like to sit in there and watch a thunderstorm come in.

That’s all for now. Maybe I’ll load that long vid with the crash later.
Hope you like it.
Dan

 

PS the video quality seems to take a hit when uploaded. Seems to be even worse on youtube. The video cam is the GoPro Hero wide. I almost didn't buy it based on some poor videos I've seen on youtube etc. I got it on sale for $97 on clearance at Dicks sporting goods. I think other places are selling them for the same amount. I was very happy with the quality of play back on the PC.

PPS the bike ran great as it was. No jetting changes, or anything, needed. Made me happy.

Dan

 

dan, great writeup and fun to see. What was your max altitude, and how was your bike at those highest points? I was surprised how well mine did at just over 10,000' in the La Sals at Moab, but I'm heading to the Silverton/Ouray area next month.