Bike, Camper, Canoe, and August Snow

[ells]

Modified: moved photos to PB

Have been torn of late between taking long weekends in the mountains with the relative comfort of a pop-up camper that we can pull with the pickup and strap on the canoe, or take the Nomad and motel it. Decided some time ago that sleeping on the ground and other aspects of primitive camping are no longer for us, or at least one of us. The pop-up trailers for the MCs didn’t pass spousal approval, but she loves to camp and ride on the back of the bike so got to make the best of it. Pulled it all together last weekend when Vicki decided she could drive the pickup hauling the trailer and canoe so I could lead or follow on the Nomad. Not sure why we didn’t think of it before. That way we would have all of our toys in one place and away from it all with lots of day-trip choices, – hot damn.

Here we are about ready to go


And got there.


She did a fine job with the toting detail. Stayed at the Molly B campground up the Frying Pan valley and next to Lake Rudei outside Basalt, CO. Paddled all around the lake and rode up Independence and McClure Passes. Did a lot of riding and relaxing. Took four days and three nights. Great time. Below is a pic from near McClure Pass and the road leading to the campground



Only problem was the early snow storm that hit the high country. Luckily we were camped at 8500 ft with the snow line down to only about 11500. Was a very rainy but almost entirely at night where we were so was able to pretty much do what we had planned, although, I know the freak storm messed up a lot of people's plans. But we could have been more fortunate and pleased.

and on the road up the supper highway in Glenwood Canyon before we got to the snow, which stayed above us.




More pics at:
http://s524.photobucket.com/albums/c...view=slideshow

[audiogooroo]

Nice Ells! Some more of the reasons I live in Colorado. :)

[chainsaw]

I love to ride in Colorado. My idea of camping though is a Motel 6.

[ells]

Originally Posted by "CHAINSAW"

I love to ride in Colorado. My idea of camping though is a Motel 6.

Yeah, but the late evenings and early mornings out can be to die for. Maybe a good party, or like on the last trip one evening, after a brief light hail storm (grauple its called sometimes) a heavy mist started to rise off the lake as a full moon was rising and with the jagged mts all around, there is no way to photograph or properly describe that, you just got to be there when it happens.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Nice Ells! Some more of the reasons I live in Colorado. :)

Snow?? In August??

[misunderstood]

Beautiful pics !!

[phenrichs]

Those pics remind of a Old Millwauke commercial: "It just doesn't get any better than this."

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Snow?? In August??

Yep! Drove through 2 inches of snow going over Wilkerson Pass last Friday, and that's only about 9000 ft.

[lw]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Snow?? In August??

Wow, that global warming is really something.

lol...it sure is LW!

[dantama]

Sounds like a good time, in spite of the weather.

Here's a picture I snatched off the Internet of last weeks snow.

[pirate]

A lady from town here just returned from Colorado, and she said she saw the snow near Breckenridge last week. Scary to think that it's coming here in just a couple of months.

[waterman]

Looks like you and Vicki had a fun time.

[ells]

Originally Posted by waterman

Looks like you and Vicki had a fun time.

Ho ya! Never saw the snow until on the way home heading up Vail Pass. Everyone along the Front Range was drowning and we pretty much did all that we wanted with blue skies, but dodging a couple showers. Wasn't all that cold either. For all the flat-landers - Yes it was unusual but not all that much different what can happen about anytime. I usually freeze my butt in the late evening mountain camping in the summer, and find real interesting ways to get warmed up...

[dogdoc]

Thanks Ells for sharing your beautiful state. I love the mountains but glad I live in TX due to riding the Nomad year around. You alllll get those snow blowers cleaned up and tuned now.