On Monday June the 6th I left our house in Flagstaff with two pairs of skis and my mountain bike heading for Basalt Colorado. A very good friend, Ryan Bradley, lives in Basalt and he would be my guide over four days of sking and mountain biking in the Rockies.
Ryan sking at Independence Pass Colorado. |
Ryan is a master of almost every outdoor sport. He rock climbs, ice climbs, mountain bikes, skis, and paddles a kayak. He has summitted nearly every Cascade Volcano and has been to the top of Denali in Alaska. Ryan also teaches middle school science, coaches wrestling, and teaches a GED course. The story that sums up Ryan best unfolded during a climb that he and I did in Zion six years ago called Lunar Ecstacy. At the end of our first day I climbed one last pitch by headlamp to have a head start on out summit day. When I finished the pitch and rappelled back to the belay I could not believe what I found: Ryan had the port-a-ledge set up, my sleeping bag laid out, and a freshly made sandwich ready for me to eat. I felt pretty taken care of. The last pitch of the route was supposed to be mine, but by the top of the route I was pretty much mentally and physically done. Ryan led the last pitch, which was difficult, and then carried the majority of the gear down the descent trail. Ryan is basically a great guy.
For this trip, the plan would be for me to drive to Basalt and ride bikes on the first day. The second and third days we would ski in the morning and ride in the afternoon. The fourth day would be spent riding in the town of Fruita Colorado and then the long drive home.
All road trips start with a drive. It is an eight and a half hour trip from Flagstaff to Basalt Colorado. I left early and drove through Moab Utah along the way.
Sunrise, Northeast of Flagstaff. |
River Road outside of Moab. |
The Colorado River just outside of Moab. |
This video (set to Iron Maiden!) captures most of the trail pretty well. http://vimeo.com/24382606
After a quick run in with one of Glenwood's finest (Bradley talked his way out of a ticket!) we drove the speed limit up to Basalt. Ryan coached his wrestling practice while I relaxed and hung out.
We then drove to Carbondale and rode another awesome single track called Prince Creek. This ride is set just south of Carbondale and follows a rushing creek (in AZ it would be a river for sure...) for several miles of single track bliss. On our first lap we took a variation called the Monster Gully. This is certainly the most unique single track I have ever been on. The trail drops into a dry wash and banks it's way up and down the sides of the wash as you speed downhill. I was again blown away by how cool the trail riding was in this area.
After fantastic mexican dinner, Ryan and I colapsed upon arriving at his cabin, which is situated a few miles above Basalt. The next day I awoke to this view from Ryan's place:
The view from Ryan's front yard. |
A 12' high van (for scale) driving up to Independence Pass. |
Ryan and I spent the better part of the day sking sweet avalanche chutes that head off to the South, East, and North of the pass. In typical Ryan form he saved the day early on. Our first run was a bit steep right at the top and I was not feeling confident on my skis. This was only my second run on skis since tearing my ACL fifteen months ago. Ryan talked me down through the steep stuff and until I started feeling comfortable enough to begin linking turns.
The snow was perfect and there was hardley a cloud in the sky.
Looking down the Aspen side of the pass. |
So much to ski and so little time... |
Looking back to the road up the pass. |
Each run deposited us back at the road. All you do is take off your skis, put out your thumb, and wait for a ride.
Waiting for a ride... |
Day three started early, but by this time Ryan and I were both moving quite slowly. We skied a fabulous south facing line off Independence Pass and then waited for nearly 45 minutes for anyone to pick us up. Since much of the day had already evaporated we decided to ski one of the plumb lines and call it. It only ended up being the best line of the week. 1,500 ft of nearly perfect corn snow in a fairly steep chute. We ended up back on the road and then time got picked up within 1 minute.
One of the many chutes we skied near Independence Pass. |
Ryan had to coach wrestling and teach his GED class that evening, so I took a drive up to Marble. It may have been one of the most scenic portions of the entire trip. The waterfalls were gushing and the views were awesome.
After Ryan took care of his teaching and coaching duties, we drove to Fruita, CO. Fruita is home to some of the most unique Mountain Biking in the west. We pulled in at about midnight, threw down our sleeping bags and were asleep by 1205.
Morning came early and we were up with the sun and ready for more riding. Ryan took me on a tour of several classic Fruita trails with the highlight being Zippity Do Dah.
Looking up Zippity Do Dah. |
Steeper than it looks! |
Ryan way out in front. |
One of the steeper downhill sections. |
This concluded the Mancation to Colorado. Ryan and I snagged a quick breakfast in Fruita and I pointed the car West on I-70 for Moab and home. Ryan went to a standing wave on the Colorado River with his Kayak to playboat for the better part of the afternoon.
Coming home is always good.
Bryce Canyon National Park, June 2011. |
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