[BaldEagle]

In early October my brother and I went to Taylor Park Colorado for five days of fantastic riding. This was our fifth straight year for this trip and as usual it was awesome. We choose early October because it’s cooler and there is almost nobody else around. He drives 18 hours from Philadelphia to KC then we load his gear on my trailer and head out for another 14 hour drive.

I think I have to make a separate post for each of the fivedays so the description will be followed by pictures from that day.

Day 2 was our first full day. The first ride was Timberline 414 from south to north. It’s a fun trail with some challenging spots and lots of good riding. The highlight was waiting until about 5:00 and riding to the top of American Flag Mountain to watch the sun go down before returning to camp in the dark. On top it was very windy and a little bit chilly but worth the trip for these awesome views.

 

[BaldEagle]

Day 3 we awoke to about 3” of snow at our camp and we could tell higher up it was snowing pretty good. In the valley it snowed until about 12:00 and we decided to try the south portion of Lilly Pond Trail. Having never ridden it I didn’t know what to expect but it was a really fun trail. With snow covering everything it was beautiful and at points more challenging than it might normally be. It was a really fun ride. Coming back we saw the clouds had finally lifted off the mountains leaving a good blanket of snow on everything.

 

[BaldEagle]

Day 4 I got up early and drove to Gunnison for supplies. After returning we decided with all the snow on the mountains the only trail for us had to be Taylor Pass. On the way to the trail head we saw a moose off to the side of the road about 150 feet away. Taylor Pass is an awesome boulder strewn trail with lots of technical and challenging spots and the snow makes it even better. At one point this trail combines with a flowing creek for about 200 yards making it even better. At the top the view was spectacular and we could see a snow covered American Flag Mountain about 7 miles away to the south. Headed down we saw a porcupine which was a first for me and very odd. I have some GoPro video of this ride and will post it when I figure out how to get it downloaded and edited.

 

[BaldEagle]

Day 5 we decided to ride Slaughter House Gulch and Cumberland Pass. These were also newtrails for us so again we didn’t know what to expect. Slaughter House Gulch was fun with some challenging spots and the road to the top of Cumberland Pass is just a long bumpy road. The views were good at the pass but we noticed a trail going up to the top of a mountain to the northeast. The sun was getting lower but we had to see what was there. The views up top were spectacular. We could see 12-15 miles to the north into the valley where Taylor Reservoir lies and the mountains another 10-15 miles to the north of that were our camp lies. We could even see American Flag Mountain about 25 miles to the north-northwest of where we sat. That was very cool. On the way back when we were almost to camp two moose jumped into the road right in front of my brother. Luckily they continued on into the woods on the other side. It was a great trip as always and I highly recommend Taylor Park to anyone that hasn't been.

 

[RansomP]

Great pictures! Do you have a stove in your tent? I didn’t see a smoke stack, if you guys don’t have a stove your tougher than me! LOL

Did the snow keep you from going places you’d planned on riding?

Thanks again for the pictures!

 

[BaldEagle]

Great pictures! Do you have a stove in your tent? I didn’t see a smoke stack, if you guys don’t have a stove your tougher than me! LOL

Did the snow keep you from going places you’d planned on riding?

Thanks again for the pictures!

I have a stove for the tent but we didn't bring it because it hadn't been this cold in previous years (not sure if we are tough or stupid). We both have really good bags but we were pushing their limits this time. The lowest I saw was 17.8 degrees but that was 7:30 in the morning so I know it was colder before sunrise.


The snow wasn't really a hindrance. It was never more than 6" deep until we got up top then it was drifting in places that we had to work around but not as bad as I have seen it before. It makes it more fun and challenging in a lot of places. :lala:

 

[RansomP]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I'd probably wuss out and get a cabin! LOL! We've ridden there late in September and felt like we've had the place to ourselves I would imagine October would be even less busy.

 

[BaldEagle]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I'd probably wuss out and get a cabin! LOL! We've ridden there late in September and felt like we've had the place to ourselves I would imagine October would be even less busy.

We stopped and toured the cabins this year and we are seriously considering it next year. We wouldn't have the beautiful campsite with the creek and the late night fire in the forest but there are a lot of other positives to the cabins. If we get a cabin I wouldn't forget to close the flap where the stove pipe goes and it won't snow on my brothers gear. Oops.


Good thing he had his cot on the left or it would have snowed on him. :surprise:

 

[RedRocket]

Hmmm, snow that got inside your tent and didn't melt.


You guys are insane. :grin2:

 

[BaldEagle]

Hmmm, snow that got inside your tent and didn't melt.

You guys are insane. :grin2:

You might be right RedRocket. But I sure had a good time.

 

[BaldEagle]

I was looking at maps last night and I noticed that this picture shows Grizzly Peak in the background of Taylor Reservoir. I thought that was fitting for this forum.

 

[RedRocket]

You might be right RedRocket. But I sure had a good time.

Of course I was joking... kind of. :grin2:


I've actually done some snow camping before, tent pitched on top of snow at about 10,000 - 11,000 feet and very warm bags. It was hell trying to get up and out of the bag in the morning. But once up, you move around quick to stay warm.

 

[BaldEagle]

That's pretty much it. It's really not too bad once you get over the idea that you are CAMPING IN THE FREAKING WINTER. And once you get a really good warm bag. I started doing this about 30 years ago because I always hated bugs and sleeping in sweat. I haven't camped in the summer since.