Mud Lake | Discreet Glissando

Trailhead Parking: N39°58.745’ W105°30.490’

As a music student I learned many things but none more important than dynamics.  Discreet glissando, a lazy stroll up and down the staff, distinct notes in perfect time, or not, smooth transitions from one note to the next as if falling forward without falling down.  Mud Lake is one of the smoothest riding trails in the area with easy transitions and a flow sure to carry you on your own dynamic journey through Caribou country.

This is a short 'cadenza' but it is so gentle you can ride it multiple times so when you leave you'll be a Mud Lake expert.  From the intersection of 28th and Canyon Drive in Boulder it will be less than an hour before nobby hits Dirt and you're on your way.  You'll enjoy the drive along Boulder Canyon which follows Boulder Creek all the way up to Barker Reservoir in the old mining town of Nederland Colorado.  From here you catch Hwy 72 to County Road 126 (Caribou Ranch).  The short road to Mud Lake trailhead is well marked, you can't miss it.

Before you begin grab a map from the kiosk and keep it handy for quick reference.  From the parking area catch the Mud Lake link for 0.10 miles to the first trail junction.  I went left for a short distance then right along the west end of Mud Lake but notice that this trail loops around Mud Lake so don't forget to try this loop too.  Moose frequent the area but I wasn't lucky enough to catch a glimpse this time.  At 0.30 miles I went right on Tungsten Loop.  On my Garmin page the climb looks steep but it is so gradual even a beginner could do this loop more than once.

The trail is so well marked and the tread is wide double track for most of the 'movement' with some singletrack down the Caribou link.  If you think you're lost, stop and see if you can find the blue diamond plates affixed to the trees, they should all be visible from each other and will help you stay on track.  

The trails are groomed to perfection to accommodate just about any type of tire.  There is a link trail at 0.43 miles to Kinnickinnick Loop and once on the loop I went left towards the south end of the trail.  The climbing continues for another 0.59 miles before leveling off.  There are some spectacular views on the way up so keep that camera handy.  The scent of ponderosa and lodgepole pine fills the air as a cool 'harmonic' breeze swept through the forest.  It gets a little rocky but nothing much bigger than a softball.  There is nothing I love more than to put my tires to good use and this tread gave me a little of everything.  At the summit there is a bench with a great view of the Rockies, will make the perfect Christmas card photo.

From 1.08 miles, get ready because here comes the thrill we mountain bikers crave.  It will be 'pastoral' for those bombers out there but for someone with just a little mountain biking experience, it will put a smile on your face a mile wide.  I let the wheels roll but some of the loose tread forced me into braking early.  There aren't any cliffs but there are a lot of trees so be careful and use your brakes skillfully.

At 1.54 miles you reconnect with the link trail that will take you back to the Tungsten loop.  Of course there's no rule against 'reprise' so go for it if the mood strikes you.  I headed back to Tungsten loop then down the Caribou Ranch link.  At the bottom you'll come across a wide pedestrian bridge before the climb.  This climb is also gentle but perhaps a bit more difficult than the first, especially for those from lower elevations.  The 0.74 miles up to the Caribou Ranch Open Space trailhead is so worth the trip.  The trail ends here so I turned back at 2.50 miles for the ride down.  This leg will have your adrenaline pumping again so give it a shot if you can. 

Before you head out click on connect.garmin.com/activity/318649430 to get a feel for the trail.  It looks harder than it is so don't let the mapping scare you.  This is a 'sonata' of trails with enough to satisfy most recreational mountain bikers.  Give it a try next time you're in the Boulder area, you'll be so glad you did.

Thanks for checking in and have a great ride.  Alan

Boulder Creek Path: Yellow Brick Road

Parking: N40°01.554’  W105°13.648’

"Follow the yellow brick road;" famous words of 1939.  Storytelling in full technicolor as Dorothy Gale travels to meet The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  A journey of endless surprises, vibrant colors and an unusual cast of characters.  My journey along the Boulder Creek Path would conjure up images of that old familiar film as I traveled through perhaps one of the most colorful cities in all America.

This heart of mine no doubt lives for Dirt but on occasion even I can't resist the soothing ride along the Boulder Creek.  This path will make the perfect afternoon and is easy enough for any rider of any skill.  This route takes you right through the heart of Boulder and is quite honestly the best way to catch a glimpse of the Boulder lifestyle.

I began my ride just west of the intersection of Valmont and 55th street.  Parking never seems to be a problem here and if you don't mind a few minutes of solitude this is your best bet.  The first half mile leaves a little to be desired but don't worry because the scenery gets so much better.  The path is paved all the way to mile mark 5.22 and is well marked except for the split to Boulder Community Hospital - I was sidetracked my first time so keep your eyes peeled on the way back.  Stick to the path that runs right along the creek and you'll have no problem finding your way around.

You will cross a number of bridges and overpasses, which offer some great photo opps and the shade is a welcome relief on a bright sunny day.  You'll be tempted by the singletrack that runs along the path but be aware that bikes are prohibited so to avoid those knowing stares stay on the path.  Also, treat the solid yellow lines as you would any lane and stay to the right.

Traveling west bound at around 1.5 miles you'll come upon a great view of the Boulder Flatirons to the left so have your cameras ready.  As you continue west you'll pass right next to Colorado University.  The creek is such an attraction it's hard to miss the student life happening all around you; will most certainly take you back to your college days.

On weekends, Central Park at about the 3.3 mile mark (Broadway and Canyon) will be bustling with activity as local growers gather at one of the finest farmer's markets in the state.  Here you'll have your pick from some of the freshest organic fruits and vegetables you'll find anywhere so bring your appetite.  Also, Pearl Street Mall is just a couple of blocks away so if outdoor mall hopping, souvenir shopping is the task of the day, you won't want to pass this up.  Pearl Street Mall is also a great place to grab a bite to eat so set some time aside if you crave a little taste of Boulder.

Right around this city center you'll have the most concentration of the 'color' that makes Boulder so unique.  Boulder has earned a 'colorful' reputation for the style and ease of its counterculture with its roots belonging to the 'hippie' generation of the 1960's.  Decades have passed but Boulder still remains one of the 'hippest' towns in the country.

All day the creek was dotted with lollipop colored kayaks floating down on this past winter's snow melt.  I've tried an inner tube before on this creek and I can tell you that nothing can prepare you for the cold water flowing through these rocks, it will absolutely take your breath away.  Another great spot is the Evert Pierson Kid's Fishing Pond at about 3.79 miles into your ride.  There is a parking area here so if a ride is not on the agenda but you have a little time to kill, bring the kids out for a little Rocky Mountain Trout fishing along Boulder Creek.

The pavement ends at Eben G. Fine Park at around the 5.22 mile mark.  For those looking for a little more exercise and some canyon atmosphere, continue past the park on the well groomed and wide Dirt path.  You'll definitely want to have your cameras ready because there is some absolutely beautiful scenery up the canyon with stunning rapids and rock walls.  The climb is gradual by our standards but may be tiresome for those from lower elevations.  Take your time and stop often, you won't regret it.  The trail ends after about 6.5 miles, with port-o-potties just in case.  This is a very busy trail on weekends so watch your speed on the way down and always yield to pedestrians.

Finally, if you've ever had a Chicago dog you won't find one any better than a Mustard's Last Stand Chicago dog.  Right off the path at Broadway and Arapahoe (3.35 mile East Bound / 1719 Broadway) you'll find the tastiest hot dog and is sure to hit the spot after an afternoon on the Boulder Creek Path.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day, click this link connect.garmin.com/activity/315330377 to gather all the information you need to plan your ride.  With a little heart, courage and an open mind, you're sure to enjoy the colorful journey down Boulder's 'yellow brick road;' hope to see you on the path.

Alan

Trail Tip | Riding On Snow

I'm obsessed with Dirt and sometimes I just can't wait for the ground to thaw.  This past week was warm and by all indications it seemed to be the case in the high country as well.  There is still too much snow above 10,000 feet in most areas and I figured Nederland would be just about right this time of year.  I was expecting some moisture but certainly not piles of snow.

I had no way of knowing what to expect but the Sourdough trail seemed to be as good a choice as any so I loaded up the Rover and set out for Caribou country.  From the parking lot the trail looked prime; a fine mixture of moist Dirt, crushed gravel and rock.  Just out of sight though was the makings of another arduous journey, one which I would ultimately cut short.  The trail had scattered snow piles, some at least 10 inches deep and very difficult to pass.  These piles covered about 80% of the trail (Twitter updates @COdirtlife) and was increasing the higher I rode.  It was going to be a short day so before I turned around I was going to test my snow handling abilities.

Riding on snow is both exhilarating and terrifying, depending on your speed.  The common mountain bike tire is not designed to maneuver over snow so if you're caught up in it you'll have to exercise a number of different skills.

The first would have to be balance, especially on clipless pedals.  Climbing will be impossible in the deep snow unless you're lucky enough to own a Fat Bike or riding on studded tires.  For the rest of us slumming it on 26X2.4's you may need to dismount.  I managed OK most of the way by staying in the saddle and shifting my weight to the back while keeping the front end light.  My line would follow through the shallow stuff hoping to catch a bit of the ground with my rear tire.  When the snow got deep I tried to center my weight to keep either tire from sinking too much.  The trick to riding in snow I've found is to keep your pedals moving.  You will get lousy traction but at least you're still moving forward, most of the time.

Downhill can be a bit more challenging.  Certainly forward momentum will get you through most of it but you have got to be extremely careful.  Sourdough has plenty of rock and quite often these rocks are hidden beneath the snow.  I am not recommending high speed on a snow covered trail but if you must test your skills then here are a couple of tips.

Keep your front end light!  If possible, lift your front wheel but only if you feel you can safely land it on solid ground.  Point your front tire toward the Dirt spots at every opportunity but be careful not to catch your handlebar on a tree.  Keep your speed in check, you don't want to spend your summer recovering from injuries.  

Finally, if you're planning on riding at high altitudes this time of year you may want to have a back-up plan.  I made the most of my day by returning to the parking lot and riding up the Dirt road toward Rainbow Lakes.  It was closed to automobiles so I had the road all to myself and it was great!  The air never smelled fresher, the views were spectacular and the road was nice and tacky.

One last word of caution.  Snow will conceal all traces of your trail and if it were not for the trail markers on Sourdough, someone could find themselves lost in the forest very easily.  If you find yourself on a snow covered trail, make sure to mark your route somehow so you don't lose your way.

I recorded these rides on my Garmin page although both routes were cut short by snow cover so I'll save the routes for a time when I can complete the whole ride.

It was another fine day in the Colorado Rockies and I hope you get a chance to visit some day soon.  Till then, ride often and with passion.

Alan

Explore Colorado

Photo: yeticycles.com

There's a place not far away where the soul goes for thrills, where the mind and body are taken from the noise of life that surrounds us everyday.  Way above 5000 feet from the nearest ocean you will find a soothing breeze delicately seasoned with the scent of pine and loose clay.  A compassionate sun interrupted by tall quaking aspen and lodge pole pine trees.  A destination waiting to be discovered and the only way to get there is on two wheels.

Riding a mountain bike is one of those rare things in life that permits us to revisit our adolescence.  It requires strength and endurance, a keen sense of sight and feel and of course you must be comfortable in dirt - all the things you cling to when your young.  I find it impossible to grow up when I'm rolling down tight singletrack, kicking up dirt with those fat nobbied tires, maneuvering through obstacles, staring downhill past my next turn while taking in the beautiful landscape.

Colorado is best known for its winter sports but some of us know that our hidden little secret can be found only after the snow has melted away.  My favorite times to ride are Spring and Fall but Summer of course is the peak riding season with plenty of mountain bike events scheduled throughout the season.

All summer I will be traveling to some of Colorado's hotspots and highlighting some of the events near and around Boulder County.  During select weekends I will be traveling outside of Boulder County to places like Breckenridge, Fruita, Crested Butte and Winter Park to try some local favorites.  It'll be a busy summer I hope so if you're planning to pay us a visit, check back often for more tales and trails from Dirt Life.  I'll also post some information on some of our local bike shops to help you gear up for your trip.

Dirt, my friends is the true fountain of youth.  Click on www.yeticycles.com/#/video/peak-season and enjoy this incredible video brought to you by the fine people at Yeti Cycles of beautiful Golden Colorado.

Ride, smile and have a blast!

Alan

Trail Tips | Mud Riding

My brother Aaron in stage 3 mud

Cloud cover concealed our view of the sun for most of the day.  It had been cool all morning and the afternoon wasn't warming up as we had hoped.  A light jacket, an energy drink and a positive attitude, as it turns out, is all we needed.  Recent snow storms had left many north facing trails with the task of absorbing all the extra moisture.  On this day my favorite riding buddy and I made our way to Picture Rock in Lyons Colorado.

I've mapped this trail before (see Picture Rock blog post, 09/18/12) but this time our ride would be cut short because of trail conditions.  Late comers to Picture Rock this past Sunday would have found the trail closed around 2pm and had we not run into a Park Ranger along the way, who granted us permission to continue, we would have tried another location rather than poach a trail.

As it turns out, these trail conditions gave us a unique opportunity to test some mountain biking skills.  Mud and water pose a number of challenges to both man and machine.  The first thing to prepare for of course is the slop - you will get dirty.  Mud is only an inconvenience if you let it.  Proper technique and the right attitude will make any mud ride one of the best you'll ever have.  We passed 3 stages of mud on our ride, each with it's own dynamic.

The first stage was mud with no standing water.  This is my favorite because it's a little dirt hedonism.  The only thing you want to be careful of is losing control.  Mud is slippery at any stage and rolling too fast can cause an abrupt shift in momentum and can easily force you out of control.  Be especially careful around rocks, trees and ledges.  Thin tires will cut through a lot easier and may provide a bit more traction.  On fat tires you'll want to attack it head on and upright to avoid sliding over the top.  Shift your weight to the back tire for more traction and keep the front end light.  Once past your tires will be caked with mud; enjoy it while you can because it'll clear off quickly.  Mud from these spots isn't too soggy and doesn't get into critical components too often.

The second stage is mud with standing water.  This is as they say an acquired taste.  These 'mud' puddles hold water well and up here in the Rocky Mountains these puddles are sometimes mixed with rock, which is quite tasty.  These puddles may be more water than mud, which is a little easier to handle - make note of these spots because they are a great place to clean off your shoes.  The worst we had to deal with was a little brake squeal.  The squeal will fade as your pads dry so don't sweat it.  Your feet could get a little wet too but that doesn't last for long up here in Colorado; wool socks work best.  These spots are a blast if you don't mind getting a little wet and dirty.  We had great traction so we were able to hit these with some speed on the way down but be careful because wet rocks are usually slippery and could end your afternoon early.

Stage 3 mud is sure to discourage all but the most dedicated rider.  These spots are soaked with sloshing mud, they offer little if any traction, they completely obscure the path underneath and will scatter muddy debris all over your bike.  This mud poses a number of issues for a mountain bike.  Gritty mud can make its way into so many areas it's hard to decide what to worry about most.  I was particularly concerned for my suspension because I know how costly these repairs can be.  I decided to reduce the travel and even lock it out for some distance to minimize the potential of pulling mud and water down into my suspension.  Brakes will also be affected.  Mud and water will make it into those tight spaces and cause all sorts of sounds.  Be cautious when this happens because chances are you will have lost braking power and if you're going downhill this could be very dangerous.  My cranks were also contaminated and that ever annoying grinding kept me company all the way back to the car.  These are all sure signs that a thorough washing is in order.

So how do you ride through these spots.  The easy answer is you don't.  My brother and I did our best through these spots but ultimately decided to dismount.  If you are driven to try then approach these spots slowly and try to stay balanced.  Stay in the saddle if possible and enter on a middle to low gear (easy pedaling).  If you are forced to stand just keep the pedals moving and be ready to lift the front tire for added rear traction.  I don't recommend trying to switch gears if you can help it.  Climbing through such spots is so much harder than descending through them.  I like to keep my front end light on the way down and let the mud fly.

I should mention that our Park Rangers do all they can to keep our trails in good condition and when they close our trails it's always for good reason.  A well maintained trail is a safe trail plus our Rangers work hard to protect the natural environment so let's all abide by the rules and keep our trail systems in fine condition. 

I'd like to thank my brother for joining me on this ride.  We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into but it turned out to be one of our greatest rides ever, thanks bro.  View our ride at connect.garmin.com/activity/308520321 and hope to see you on the trail.

Alan