Moved deeper into the mountains on Thursday. Way too many RV's buzzing around and with the Labor Day weekend about to get rolling ... it was clearly time for a change of venue. Headed out toward Poncha Springs and then deep into the BLM near O'Haver lake area.
This location makes the Rainbow trail easily accessible... and a bunch of other stuff too. Got settled into a spectacular campsite beside Tent Creek by late afternoon.
Marshall Pass is just up the hill (OK...mountain) and makes for a good warm up ride.
First trip was on the Evil Twins along the easy route. There are two ways up to the pass on the Salida side. Rd. 200 and 203. The first route (rd.200) is essentially a dirt road and can be done on a loaded KLR - unless it's wet.
There are a couple of bumpy stretches and rocky switchbacks where somebody needs to ride but mostly it's just keeping your eyes looking ahead.
I met a couple of young riders from Germany on their way to California - both on overloaded KLR's (ammo cans and ratchet straps). They were pondering going up the hard way just before dark. For whatever reason they stopped in my camp and asked what I thought. I guess an old guy with two KTM's sitting there and who doesn't walk with a limp must seem like a source of reasonable riding advice. Go figure... I sent them along the easy route.
The west side of the pass leads down into Sargents and the Tomichi Creek Inn.
This is a wonderful dual sport route for pretty much anything that can handle the altitude. Only issue would be mud. The road is dark dirt and, judging by the ruts, doesn't do well with wet weather. It would be a slippery affair.
You find these hiker cabins along some trails. The Colorado Tr. crosses here.
The other road up is 203. I use the term road in it's mountain sense here. It starts out gentle enough but devolves into a chunky quad trail along the creek pretty quick.
There are several stretches of melon size loose angular rock fields, stepping solid rock switchbacks and lots of powdery gullies to go with several creek crossings.
Near the top is whooped out but you can run their edges well enough provided being inches from the drop off isn't an issue.
It's a hoot going up or down. I ran it both directions on the 530 and the Evil Twins. A loaded R1200 wouldn't be much fun but it could be done... just awful hard on the equipment as it gets narrow and some necessary lines are pretty rugged. There are several way off camber loose gullies where heavy side cases would give gravity the decisive hand.
As you near the pass there is a road going south to Starvation Creek. It gets a little technical but nothing too crazy. I recommend this little side trip... but stop at the edge. This picture comes nowhere near what your eyes see.
So I wanted to go check on an old friend the next day. We spent some great times together several years ago.
It's in great shape but I can only speak for a small section I rode starting at Hwy. 285 and going west toward the Hayden CG. The riding clubs in Salida have done a splendid job of keeping the trail in good shape. Both off-road motorcyclists and mountain bikers deserve a great thanks. The Rainbow trail is long and you can spend a couple of days getting from one end to the other. It changes personalities in drastic ways along the route. Starting with beautiful alpine meadows and rich mountain forests to desert sands, rocky climbs and spectacular views. It's a Colorado gem.
*This is not a trail to bring a new rider to. It is technical in just about every possible aspect and there are many edge trails (extreme) that anyone with height issues does not want be on. There are so many other great trails. Nobody needs to try to prove anything on this one.
Soon as you go through the gate and clear this switchback - IT'S ON! If you can ride the first quarter mile, you should be OK for the rest of it. I have no pictures of the edge trails cause I was squeezing juice out of the bars with both hands and whining like a whipped pup... didn't even consider stopping for pictures... just take my word for it on this one.
Yesterday was great morning. All the Labor Day hubbub has gone home and I can again listen to the stream running by and watch deer and mountain sheep walk past in the evening. Very pleasant.
Next move is to Leadville later this week. It'll be cold there as I'll be camping near the Turquoise reservoir at 10,000 feet. Lows in the mornings will be just above freezing and at that elevation, these mountains do make their own weather. Stay tuned...