Finding my way across the U.S - FL. Keys to Seattle!

FireFinder

Observer
nice thread man love the pics keep um coming, you have officially changed my direction on which way to go with tires for my rig. how was the heard tail in the mtns?? I would guess pretty ruff!!!

A little rough on the downhills but easy-breezy on the up. The group I ran into at the trailhead was pretty much what I see at every other trailhead: 50% full suspension 26" and 50% hardtail 29ers. With these guys, I was actually the slowest on the way up (I blame it on the elevation) but one of the fastest downhill (I blame that on just being plain dumb). Me and another 29er did blow out our Stan's-filled tires at the same time and had to throw in a tube.
 

FireFinder

Observer
nice thread man love the pics keep um coming, you have officially changed my direction on which way to go with tires for my rig. how was the heard tail in the mtns?? I would guess pretty ruff!!!

you would think but it was a PITA to clean them with no cleaning at the site and no running water plus I had food that needed cooked in my fridge. And I felt bad eating a fish that couldn't pull drag.
 

mph

Expedition Leader
Great trip report...does your hobie kayak have the kick flippers? Those things rock! Enjoy the riding...co is sweet. Btw...head to Crestte butte and ride the 401. The fall colors r going off and that ride is unreal! Bring the camera...of u need some spots to ride and camp there, pm me...I have few...
 

FireFinder

Observer
Great trip report...does your hobie kayak have the kick flippers? Those things rock! Enjoy the riding...co is sweet. Btw...head to Crestte butte and ride the 401. The fall colors r going off and that ride is unreal! Bring the camera...of u need some spots to ride and camp there, pm me...I have few...

I've got a pair of turbo fins on the Hobie. I feel like I could pull a skier behind me! I had to get out of the central CO area...it was way too cold. Low of 23?! I tried to ride the Buffalo Creek trail for three days. First day I had truck issues, the second day I had bike issues, then it snowed on the third. Crested Butte was on my wish list but I had to keep rolling. I did get a chance to ride the 18 Road trails in Fruita and a little of the Kokkopelli trail. I'm in UT now and headed for the Slickrock Trail tomorrow.
 

FireFinder

Observer
Denver, Boulder, RMNP and back again.

I linked up in Denver with a long-time buddy from Orlando, Chris aka Howie. I got a shower then whisked away to catch the tail end of an open bar at a wedding. Then it was Okterbest..

IMG_2301_zps9fb43623.jpg


IMG_2300_zpsbed6bc63.jpg


then football Sunday. Monday I headed to the Rocky Mountain National Park to drive the Trail Ridge Rd. I got in late Monday and set up camp. Monday night a storm came in. Tuesday morning the road was closed. Bummer! So I hung around the park for a few days taking in some sights and some day hikes..

DSCN0260_zpsc1244ac3.jpg


DSCN0264_zps3f017159.jpg


DSCN0270_zpsd72b8ab6.jpg


I met Austin (from Denver) at the trailhead..

DSCN0304_zpsb97940e3.jpg


and informed me that the big ol' pack he was carrying was for "bouldering"..

DSCN0311_zps066c5ca0.jpg


DSCN0312_zps0c49685c.jpg


I broke off and headed for the "Sky Pond" hike..

DSCN0332_zps6df57585.jpg


DSCN0322_zps8c53c06e.jpg


DSCN0323_zps1cda24b2.jpg


DSCN0328_zpsac292527.jpg


DSCN0333_zpsfc8c73d0.jpg


DSCN0338_zpse50b2aef.jpg


DSCN0343_zpsb003669e.jpg


not the easiest day hike when you've gotta scramble up a waterfall..

DSCN0344_zps3ae21c78.jpg


DSCN0345_zps3fc92cdc.jpg


DSCN0365_zpsbf8bceed.jpg


Sky Pond..

DSCN0351_zps31b1e15c.jpg


DSCN0352_zps7b1d637f.jpg



I headed back to Denver for another shower and a concert..

Scott H. Biram
IMG_2286_zps1c63c5a5.jpg


then to Boulder to represent the UCF Golden Knights at the Buffalo game..

IMG_2309_zps10b5fd0e.jpg



Let me say this about Boulder, CO: worst place ever,don't go there, there's nothing for you there...which is also what I say about my favorite fishing hole back home :D
 

FireFinder

Observer
Then back to the Rocky Mountain National Park to ride Trail Ridge and tackle Long's Peak.

took the unpaved road up..

DSCN0366_zps067173f2.jpg


DSCN0373_zps7668f8dd.jpg


DSCN0380_zpsad9e14ab.jpg


DSCN0389_zpsacb8dfae.jpg



The next morning I woke up at 3:45 am to tackle Long's Peak..

DSCN0319_zps2f1fea4e.jpg


via the Keyhole route.

Boulder, 5:30 am..

DSCN0393_zpsb0e44dd4.jpg


the target..
DSCN0397_zpsdf2cb209.jpg


DSCN0399_zpsfb248503.jpg


DSCN0405_zpsf4b9d906.jpg


DSCN0406_zps727884c7.jpg


the winds up here were about 60 mph and it was COLD..

DSCN0409_zps8aa0fa34.jpg


Boulderfield..

DSCN0412_zps4a48fa3a.jpg


the Keyhole and the Agnes Vaille Hut..

DSCN0416_zpsa7c9a854.jpg


DSCN0418_zpsf0d7e9e7.jpg


DSCN0419_zps8c03b29f.jpg


DSCN0421_zps13156043.jpg


DSCN0422_zps4bc432cc.jpg


view from the hut..

DSCN0414_zps666d686d.jpg


the winds up here were so strong that I got knocked off my feet twice. The winds were blowing 80+ through that pass and it was not doable. I decided to turn around and head back instead of being a news story. Here's a video of me right under the Keyhole pass getting pelted by ice..



Another storm was coming in so I headed west to get some mountain biking in. I rode the trails at 18 Road and some of Kokopelli's..

DSCN0427_zpsf3480cdc.jpg


Colorado River..
IMG_2305_zpsaf77d633.jpg



now I'm in Utah. Camped at the Arches National Park last night and I'm off to ride the Slickrock Trail tomorrow!
 

mph

Expedition Leader
Great pics...btw...dead horse st park has some sweet single track...if u like cross country riding...also sovereign
Trail is nice...utahmountainbiking.com

Enjoy!
 

FireFinder

Observer
Great pics...btw...dead horse st park has some sweet single track...if u like cross country riding...also sovereign
Trail is nice...utahmountainbiking.com

Enjoy!

Thanks! I'll have to check those out. I'm also looking at Slickrock, Amassa Back, the Magnificent 7, and The Whole Enchilada. There's so much to do in Moab!
 

AFSOC

Explorer
You're having an epic transcontinental journey. Thanks for sharing, we're really enjoying your updates.
 

r3run33

Adventurer
omg I love that pic of that little house!!! under the giant cracked bolder lol!!! thanks for the posts keep em coming!!!
 

mph

Expedition Leader
U timed it well...next Wednesday, the whole state will be headed there...all schools statewide r closed for a 4 day weekend....



Thanks! I'll have to check those out. I'm also looking at Slickrock, Amassa Back, the Magnificent 7, and The Whole Enchilada. There's so much to do in Moab!
 

74CJ5

Observer
Great adventure and thanks for sharing! I did Moab a few years back and really want to hit the trails again. We did AmassaBack the Sovereign Trail and 25 miles desecending 5,000 feet on Porcupine Rim. Keep the pics coming!
 
D

Deleted member 48574

Guest
Turning back on that pass, though I'm sure it was disappointing in some ways, was very wise and a great example to others. And the right thing to do. You'll never know how many SAR guys got a hot meal that night because of your good choices :)

Well done, good sir. After all, You can always go back if you hike back down!

And what a great adventure!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,386
Messages
2,903,982
Members
230,274
Latest member
mbauerus1

Members online

Top