Hall Ranch | Bitterbrush

Hall Ranch boulder garden; there's a trail there somewhere!

I remember huddling up in gym class on rainy days with my buddies, the occasional glance from inside the scrum deciding who was going to receive the massive dodge ball assault that was only moments away.  At the sound of the whistle we unleashed a surge on our unsuspecting target that even General Petraeus would be proud of.  This past weekend I was the target and Hall Ranch held the Lawgiver!

I just can't seem to make it out of that boulder garden without a scratch but this time it wasn't the garden but the training wheels section that saw my endo; half a mile from the trailhead and my front wheel came to rest perfectly against a rock the size of a watermelon.  Another slow motion maneuver, clipped in I tried to adjust but no use I was over the bars head first into an Orangutan somersault and another fine example of why we wear helmets.

Antelope and Nelson Loop were closed so all I could map was Bitterbrush.  By the way, Bitterbrush just before the 2 mile mark is now winding singletrack and a blast at speed; kudos to the track builders.  Click here for the trail profile and check out the player for the play-by-play.  Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life

Lost Lake: Indian Peaks Wilderness

There's nothing like a long hike up in the Indian Peaks Wilderness to clear you mind.  This past weekend I just needed to get away and for two and a half hours I was treated to one heck of a winter wonderland.

Just outside old town Eldora you'll find the Hessie trail head and this time of year the trail is covered in 4 to 5 feet of snow, prime for snowshoeing but this day I gave it a go with just my Keen snow boots.  The trail was nicely packed and snowshoes seemed to keep the other trail users pace down.

Travel along past the Hessie townsite through the narrow trails among the towering pines, dusting you from time to time with that champagne powder Colorado is so famous for.  At 2.19 miles you come to the Devils Thumb/Bypass trail marker.  Low on fuel I decided on the short hike up to Lost Lake.  At 2.63 miles the trail splits again with Lost Lake to the left.  The hike from here was a bit steeper through dense forest, it was amazing.  You'll finally reach Lost Lake after 2.89 miles.

The hike to Lost Lake is a mild climb but it does begin over 8500 feet and peaks at just over 9700 feet in elevation so be prepared.  It was an amazing day and I hope to make use of those campsites this winter.

Click here for the trail profile and I hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life