I did a "route" that I've been wanting to do for a long time - just to see if it was possible to connect some of my favorite local trails without hitting any pavement. Well...it is
possible, but i can say that that's the last time I'll be doing that route. I'm really glad I made the venture, but i should've brought a rope!
On the way there, I met this poor stressed out red-tailed hawk on the side road. He was flying fine, but low the ground and not straying from the road. I hope he's ok!
Fall colors are starting up big-time this week. Four days ago there was no yellow, each day you can see the changes and it's happening fast.
This was the crux of the ride, so to speak. I went under that 'arch' and out the other side, all the while carrying my bike and sliding it down the rocks when I couldn't keep hold of it. This is one of those times I should've just turned around and hiked back out but I knew (or i thought i did) that if i kept going it'd be pretty sweet. There was a trail down almost to this point so i figured that if there was just ONE hike-a-bike, i'd try this route again. But no. The second half of the drainage was all hiking and i felt like there were lion eyes on my back the whole time.
Finally at the bottom the views were incredible. No roads nearby and a major creek that i forded to get to the trail on the other side. I think this would only be doable in fall when the water isn't rushing too fast and the water's not too cold.
A lil cabin in the woods. The caretaker wasn't there thankfully. I was just surprised that it looks like it's used. It's a pretty big hike from any road on part trail, part water. Must be a fishing cabin of a sort.
All in all, 4 hours when it should've taken me 2...but a great adventure. I gotta do all these things around these parts that I've been wanting to do before next summer's departure to the lonesome crowded West coast!
Heyride doing a hot lap in an illuminated aspen tunnel up at 9000ft. 
On the way there, I met this poor stressed out red-tailed hawk on the side road. He was flying fine, but low the ground and not straying from the road. I hope he's ok!
Fall colors are starting up big-time this week. Four days ago there was no yellow, each day you can see the changes and it's happening fast.
This was the crux of the ride, so to speak. I went under that 'arch' and out the other side, all the while carrying my bike and sliding it down the rocks when I couldn't keep hold of it. This is one of those times I should've just turned around and hiked back out but I knew (or i thought i did) that if i kept going it'd be pretty sweet. There was a trail down almost to this point so i figured that if there was just ONE hike-a-bike, i'd try this route again. But no. The second half of the drainage was all hiking and i felt like there were lion eyes on my back the whole time.
Finally at the bottom the views were incredible. No roads nearby and a major creek that i forded to get to the trail on the other side. I think this would only be doable in fall when the water isn't rushing too fast and the water's not too cold. 
A lil cabin in the woods. The caretaker wasn't there thankfully. I was just surprised that it looks like it's used. It's a pretty big hike from any road on part trail, part water. Must be a fishing cabin of a sort. 
