Little Raven: Tribute! Warrior

Sourdough CR116 Trailhead: N40°01.656’  W105°31.478’

Chief Little Raven was a proud warrior, dedicated to peace and preservation of the land his people held dear.  Time after time his will would be tested from broken promises to unforgivable massacre but he never lost sight of his goal for peace for the Arapahoe.  The Little Raven trail is a lasting tribute to a great man and your chance to find your inner warrior.

Four times' the charm, for this week most of Sourdough and finally Little Raven have been mapped.  This route takes you one-way up Sourdough then on to Little Raven.  Rain clouds followed me all day and it just seemed safer to call it a day once I reached the end of the trail.  Certainly the ride back would have been quite the challenge, perhaps next time the weather will cooperate.

Sourdough was in perfect condition this time around.  A little rain made the ride a bit cold and despite some slippery rocks it produced fine trail conditions.  A word of caution, if storm conditions exist you may want to consider ending your ride if lightning is active - lightning can be very dangerous up in the mountains and no ride is worth the risk.  The tread is half hard-pack and half rocky single-track.  Rocks will range in size, some impossible to pass on two wheels but no match for a determined rider on two feet.  Little Raven had its fair share of rock but most was Dirt soil and light mud, oh yeah!

Shade is abundant and parts of this ride will surely bring a smile to your face, perhaps even a little vocal display of approval.  The climbing is steady with some well placed descents.  Water features are few so enjoy them when you can - there is a great one at Peace Memorial Bridge about 2.45 miles from the Sourdough trailhead.  I reduced the rear tire pressure a bit for better traction and this seemed to help with the climbing - bring a pump because you'll need to add air along the way.  Some sections will call for good line choices and strong legs so make sure you're ready.

802 to Little Raven

You'll finally reach 802 to Little Raven at about 5.15 miles and you have two choices.  North (right) will take you down the to the CR104 Sourdough trailhead, which looks to be less than half a mile and West (left) will take you up towards Little Raven.  I had been dying to give Little Raven a try so naturally I pointed the Schwalbe Nobby Nics West.  This first section is brutal and for about 0.06 miles your determination will be tested (this picture is only the beginning).  It runs up along a water bed and years of snow melt have formed a bit of a 'V' with plenty of exposed rock, mostly the boulder variety.  Only an expert, a level of skill I have yet to acquire, would be able to pass this section without dismounting.  The trail becomes more rideable the closer you get to mile 5.67 so don't give up, you're almost there.  

The Little Raven officially begins after a short climb up CR104 toward Lefthand Reservoir.  At or about 6.80 miles you'll catch the Little Raven.  This trail turns to very narrow single-track through dense pine forest so keep your eyes peeled for trail markers because at times it's hard to make out a trail.  You'll cross some really cool man made lumber paths, about 12 inches wide, that run over the soggy parts of the trail.  Check your balance because the slightest mistake and your shoe will find the bottom of a very muddy puddle.  Along the way you'll come upon a lonely pond which will make another great background if you can find a spot clear enough to stand by.

Snow drifts still covered parts of this trail and paired with many downed trees it was quite difficult to get by.  Don't be discouraged, keep going because at this point you're so far down it would crazy not to finish.  The final descent at about the 7.00 mile mark is so worth it.  The trail is tight with twists and turns, you'll forget all about the work it took to get here.

This leg of Sourdough is a solid Blue and Little Raven varies is difficulty but the toughest parts raise the bar to a Black Diamond.  It was a long and tough ride but that's why we ride mountain bikes, for the adventure.  This ride was all mountain because it contained everything one would expect from a Rocky Mountain trail.  It will require stamina, strength, strong lungs and passion, for this route is not for the timid.  It is a local favorite because of it's challenging terrain and if you've been dying to find out how you and your bike can handle the Rocky Mountains, give this route a try, you won't be disappointed.

Follow my route at connect.garmin.com/activity/329052350 and for those interested, I have a website where you can contact me directly; www.dirt-life.com Dirt Life will start to offer tours so if you're planning on visiting our neck of the woods, send me a message and I'll make sure your mountain bike trip is a memorable one.

Brainard Lake

Enjoy the summer and I hope to see you on the trail - Alan

Eagle Trail: Setting Sun

Boulder is set right in the foothills and the sun will set here a little earlier than perhaps Denver but this time of year we still have good light until maybe 9:00 or 9:30.  Last Thursday I thought I'd get a short ride in on one of Boulder's friendlier trails near Boulder Reservoir; Eagle Trail.

The Eagle Trail, located in North Boulder is a mild ride with only one section noteworthy for it's steep grade.  I caught the trail from the North Foothills trailhead, just off Hwy 36.  The whole trail for the most part is wide  with some sections narrowing to perhaps wide singletrack.  I rode up the hard packed Dirt road to the first gate-parking just seems easier from here.

There are a few cattle gates so make sure to close them behind you.  Also, obey the signs because most of the singletrack along this trail is closed to bikes.  The views have their own charm but are made much better with a setting sun.  In the distance you'll see Boulder Reservoir and off to the south you'll have great views of the Flatirons-with Boulder nestled just below, it makes a great photo.

You'll be traveling up on a ridge and the only section that may give you pause is the descent off the ridge.  The trail will seem flat until about 1.75 miles when you come to the steep drop down the side of the ridge.  I have a golden rule; if it looks dangerous to you, then it is!  I've ridden some pretty knarly trails and coming off this ridge seemed rather steep to me.  If you're not comfortable with your brake control dismount because an error with your front brake will send you over the handlebars in an instant.  If you're feeling brave just make sure to shift your weight to the back and feather the front brake.  I have hydraulic brakes so mechanical brakes will require just a little more strength to keep you in control.  There are some rocks but nothing too difficult.  Also, remember coming down means you have to climb it on the way back and this was no easy task.  I had a difficult time keeping my front tire down so be prepared to shift your weight to make it back up the trail.

The rest of the trail is rather mild.  You'll cross a small pond that makes a great backdrop for your next photo.  If you can, start this trail later in the day and wait for the sun to drop just behind the foothills for one spectacular shot.  You'll come to the official Eagle Trail trailhead at about 2.75 miles.  If you want to skip the knarly climb, have someone drop you off where I started and have them pick you up here.  It will be a short ride but it's a great trail to blow off a little steam.  I continued down to the Boulder Reservoir entrance just to add a little mileage to my ride.  

Other than the short steep section this was a very pleasant ride.  It's perfect for those just looking for a little off road ride without the long drive.  There are a number of hiking trails along this path too so don't rule out an after dinner walk.  Click on connect.garmin.com/activity/328055138 to link over to my Garmin page and check out the map for a better feel for the trail.  Check back for information on my Boulder County mountain bike tours.  Thanks for checking in and I hope to see you on the trail. 

 Alan

Sourdough: Corrida de Toros

Head hung low, a thirsty breath from his massive lungs, a pounding heart driving those powerful legs, a posture broken only by his fiercest tail whip, focused ahead, leading with a crown of horns there is no retreat.  Instinct drives the bull to incredible lengths, sometimes for senseless purpose.  It wasn't instinct that propelled me forward but it took the will of a bull to get you through the 4 foot snow drifts on Sourdough this past weekend.

All the moisture gave the forest a  freshly watered flavor.  I have never experienced a forest so fragrant;  a breeze flowing through the dense pine forest, nothing to pollute the air but seeping pine oil and damp pine cones.  The flowing streams provided the soundtrack to the day's activities.  There were many downed trees which added to the aroma, like fresh cut wood soaking in the melting snow.  The trail may have been overcome with snow but you could still get a sense of the abundant shade offered along the way.  There was too much snow to detect the actual tread but if it was anything like the first 2 miles it would have a mix of smooth crushed gravel, hard packed Dirt or rocks, some jagged enough to pierce a tire.

The snow had a consistency of a snow cone and felt like sandpaper against your skin as my feet plunged the 3 to 4 foot snow drifts.  You forget the winter conditions until you begin to feel the freeze upon your feet.  My feet got so cold I had to stop twice to wring out my socks while my toes thawed in the scorching sun.  My relationship with the bike was also interrupted as it progressed from riding to walking to carrying and finally dragging.

Despite the extremely difficult conditions, I was having a great time and all I could think about was reaching Little Raven.  I had to use the trail markers extensively because the trail was completely obscured.  Here's a tip: if your trail is concealed and you feel you may be off track, set your bike down and try and locate the last or next marker.  Most markers are within view of each other so keep searching but never lose sight of your bike.

Continuing along, feet frozen from the brutal trail, I spotted a short clearing, like a spotlight from the sky penetrating the dense pine forest of the Indian Peaks Mountain Range.  I removed my shoes and socks and placed my feet on the only rock exposed to the direct sunlight.  Looking down the trail I couldn't see an end to the snow drifts.  The day was winding down and I hadn't seen or heard any other trail users all day.  I had about 2 hours of sunlight left and I knew the conditions behind me but I wasn't sure what lay ahead.  If  I did reach Little Raven I would need to head back anyway.  I would then continue on Sourdough down to the north then ride the Hwy back to the trailhead or turn around and retrace my steps.  I was completely spent at this point, I had no clue how much longer I would be trekking through the snow in cycling shoes and the last thing I wanted was to get lost in the forest.

After about 15 minutes of calculating my next move, I decided that the safest thing to do would be to turn around.  So back I went through all the snow again, all the while being treated to an unbelievable scented forest, a smell you absolutely won't forget.  Later on I would discover that I was about a mile or so from the Little Raven trail junction.  I also learned quickly how difficult it is to ride challenging terrain on clipless pedals when your feet are freezing - you should avoid this if you can.

I traveled about 4 miles in and 4 miles out on a trail fit for the true mountain biker.  It will require great balance, strength and stamina plus some of the rocky sections are tough to pass without the proper skills.  Linked is a partial map and even though my speed was reduced by the snow drifts you can still get a sense of the elevation changes up to this point.  Link to my Garmin page connect.garmin.com/activity/322133742 for some useful information if you plan to ride Sourdough.  I should have a complete map that includes Little Raven at some point.  Till then, have yourself a fantastic ride.

A.R.