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April 30, 2021
Georgia Pass
I think that tomorrow I might try to hit Georgia Pass and see what it looks like. I don't think that it's open, but I'd like to see how far I can get, anyway.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 30, 2021 at 10:24 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
45 Miles Off-Road
So today, the weather was nice. The snows finally melted and I was able to get on the Africa Twin for a little ride. I ran into a biker the other day when I was riding somewhere between Cheeseman Reservoir and Wellington Lake, and he told me that you could follow this dirt road far enough, you'd come out somewhere south of Jefferson, Colorado...south of the Tarryall Reservoir, somewhere. So, I've tried once or twice since then to make it down that road/trail/path that he described to me, but always it was covered in snow, mud, etc. So, today, I figured I'd give it another try and this time I made it. I rode 45 miles down a dirt road through the mountains, alone, with no cell coverage. OK....I did meet one guy along the way and rode with him for some distance. Glad to have someone around to help me in case I should drop my bike. The roads were mostly dry. Mostly the snow had melted and the mud had dried. But it was still a LONG ride down a dirt road. Then, I did come out onto Colorado Road 77, and finally hit hard top. Then followed this road north past Tarryall Reservoir, to Jefferson, Colorado. Then up US Highway 285 back home. Looks like the whole trip was about 150 miles.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 30, 2021 at 9:29 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 29, 2021
Goat Thirty
Today, I rode my motorcycle up as far as I could on Guanella Pass from the Georgetown side. I think you can only go about 8 miles, and then the road is closed. There is some parking, and this is where the campgrounds are, if I remember correctly.
To get there, I took the frontage road to I-70 west (Stanley Road) to Dumont. Then Alvarado Road to Georgetown. I found the road over Saxon Mountain, but didn't try to get past the first switch-back. Then through Georgetown, and up Guanella Pass Road (381) to Naylor Lake Road (just passed Guanella Pass Campground). That's where it's blocked off. So I turned around and came back.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 29, 2021 at 4:46 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 26, 2021
Today's Ride
Today, I rode to Idaho Springs, up 119 to Rollinsville, then up to the Moffat Tunnel, about 7 miles of dirt road from Colorado State Highway 119 (Peak to Peak Highway). Then, back to 119, and north to Colorado State Highway 72 to Coal Creek Canyon, down to 119 to 93. Then, south down 93 to C470 to 285 and back home. Then, for my next ride today, Upper Bear Creek to Witter Gulch. Then up Witter Gulch to Squaw Pass Road / Colorado 103. Then to 151/Little Bear Creek Road, and down into Idaho Springs. Then, up Oh My God Road, and back home.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 26, 2021 at 11:49 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 25, 2021
Riding Again (After Blizzard of 2021)
Now that the weather has finally changed, I've started riding again.
In March, I was riding every day until the blizzard came. Then, on March 14th the snow came and made it the 2nd snowiest march in Colorado's history (behind the blizzard of March of 2003). So, I put the Africa Twin at the front of the garage, and pulled out the Honda ATV, as I figured that I wouldn't be riding for a while. Finally, the snows melted from my driveway on Saturday April 24th and I went for a ride. So, for the record, I didn't ride my motorcycle from March 14th - April 23rd. (I rode yesterday and today on April 24th & 25th)..
Yesterday, I rode up to Alice/St. Mary's Glacier.
Then, today I went for a little ride down 285. I went up Kenosha Pass as far as possible. About 7 miles in, it's closed near the Duck Creek Picnic Area. Also known as County Road 1038, Duck Creek Road, and Forest Road 119. Then, I turned and came back to 285, and ran up to the top of Kenosha Pass. From Kenosha Pass, back home via US 285.
Then, I stopped in on my fox den. I believe I saw 4 babies (2 red, 2 blk). And one parent (red). Will have to take camera over tomorrow and get some pics.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 25, 2021 at 8:43 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 23, 2021
SF Driving Maps
These maps show some areas where I used to ride when I was working for Electronic Arts, Genentech, UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley, & Morrison Foerster, in the SF Bay Area.
Skyline Blvd - This is a nice 2 lane black top road through the hills and woods south of SF. Comes out in Santa Cruz. Then you can come back up the coast. Alice's Restaurant is included in this loop.
Wine Country Tours: Lots of different vineyards, wineries in Napa and Sonoma, CA.
This shows a route up north of SF through Muir Beach, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, and back down to SF.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 23, 2021 at 2:04 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 20, 2021
Marvin Heemeyer on Netflix
It looks like Netflix made a movie about Marvin Heemeyer named Tread.
His address was apparently 804 Granby West Circle Granby, CO.
But the Netflix movie says his address is 723 County Road 612.
He's on Facebook as Reasonable Muffler Man.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 20, 2021 at 2:12 AM : Comments (1) | Permalink
Proton VPN
It looks like there's a free VPN service:
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 20, 2021 at 12:37 AM : Comments (3) | Permalink
April 13, 2021
My Neighbors
My buddy Steve out in Fruita sent me a text recently asking about one of my incredibly wealthy neighbors. I have a lot of rich neighbors, and it's hard to keep up with them, but I thought I'd try to document a few of them. To wit:
James Richardson - 21362 Twin Peaks Ln. Heir to the Vick's Vapor Rub fortune.
Jim Goff - 23084 N Turkey Creek Rd. Manager of the Janus Fund, 5th largest mutual fund in the world. 996-acre mountain property. Tore down a $5M house when he bought the property.
Richard Berry - 24503 Chris Drive Evergreen, Colorado. Heir to the Yellow Pages fortune. His 25,000-square-foot home on 80 acres is for sale for $20M.
Judy Jeronimus - Local real estate agent. Owns most of the buildings in downtown Evergreen. 23525 Lone Peak Trail.
Jeff Lyslo - Owns Black Mountain in Aspen Park, Colorado with his own private ski runs. Black Mountain Ski Area is the vision of a passionate property owner who wanted the ability to experience the finest powder skiing on his own 450-acre private property.
Ted Antenucci - Redeveloped the old Stapleton Airport with his company, the Catellus Group. Lives up Upper Bear Creek.
Keith Van Horn. Retired NBA professional basketball player lives just up the road from me in a little 10,000 sq foot house. 25954 North Turkey Creek Road Evergreen, CO
But the guy Steve was mentioning to me wasn't someone I was familiar with. A billionaire that lives next door that I wasn't even aware of. So, Margie and I drove over there today to check it out.
James Leprino
4041 Lakota Rd, Morrison, CO
REAL TIME NET WORTH as of 9/10/20: $3B
2020 Forbes 400 ranking: No. 278
"James Leprino owns the world's largest mozzarella cheese maker, with $3.5 billion in estimated annual sales. His Leprino Foods is the exclusive supplier of cheese to Domino's, Papa John's and Pizza Hut. After graduating high school in 1956, he started working with his father full-time at his market. In 1958, after larger chain grocery stores had forced the Leprino market to close, the Leprino Foods cheese empire started with $615. Today, Leprino Foods has more than 50 patents. Those innovations are essentially how Leprino created the "pizza cheese" that Americans eat today."
So, Margie and I drove over there tonight to check out his place. I'd actually been by it before, as it's on the way to Mt Falcon Park in Indian Hills. But, it's hard to tell from the road how large his place really is. Crazy. To get an idea of how large his place is, open the address in Google Maps and try to drag/drop the little yellow man from the lower right-hand corner of the screen to any place on the map. (Hint: You have to zoom out a lot to find a space you could can drop him.)
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 13, 2021 at 8:35 PM : Comments (2) | Permalink
April 11, 2021
Apex, Colorado
Apex is an old mining town up above Black Hawk and Central City. To get there, take Apex Valley Road off of Highway 119.
https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/apex/
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 11, 2021 at 10:35 AM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 10, 2021
Oh My God Road
Today was pretty nice. Clear, sunny, with a high of about 60F, and the forecast for the coming week looks like a lot of snow and rain and falling temperatures. So, I'm out riding today, trying to hit some of my old faithful trails around Clear Creek County before the snows come.
There's a road that climbs out of Idaho Springs which is alternately referred to as "Virginia Canyon" or "Two Brothers Road" or "Clear Creek County Road 281" but the locals invariably refer to it as " 'Oh My God Road' Road". At the summit of Oh My God Road is an abandoned stone building from the Gold Rush.
When I get to the summit of Oh My God Road, I see two full-sized pickups pulling two trailers with several ATV's, and they're stopped at an odd location. So, I stop and speak to them.
"Where you guys headed?"
"We're not real sure. We're looking to unload the ATV's..."
"You can't unload them here. They'll tow your trucks, plus, you can't ride the ATV's on the roads..." I explain. "Are y'all not from around here?"
"No. We're not from around here, and we don't know where to unload them."
"I'll show you where to unload them, boss. Follow me." And with that, I take off, and they follow me about 5 miles/15 minutes, up Virginia Canyon, down into Central City, up Upper Apex Road, to Columbine Campground Road to the officially designated "Staging Area to Unload RZR's". They were so grateful that I showed them where to go, that they handed me a $20 bill. I tried to refuse it, but they wouldn't hear of it.
I tried to ride up the Columbine Campground Road further, but it was too snowy/muddy for my Africa Twin, so I turn back.
But this is what I'm doing. I'm out riding, every day (weather permitting), trying to figure out which trails are open, carefully monitoring the snows as they recede. I don't want to go riding in August, see that all of the trails are open, and wonder how many days of riding I missed. I want to go out and push the envelope every day so that I know what roads and passes are open, as soon as they are open.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 10, 2021 at 9:49 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 8, 2021
Trails and Gulches of Idaho Springs
So I'm starting to hit the trails around Idaho Springs, an annual ritual it seems. Yesterday I went up Trail Creek Road (Clear Creek County Road 136) by the Phoenix Mine. Today, I'll try Spring Gulch Road (Clear Creek County Road 130). Still a lot of snow, ice, and mud. I'm just trying to reconnect the roads/trails in my mind. When it gets bad, I turn around. Also, I have to meet Jen for lunch in Morrison at 1:00 pm.
Update: Today, I hit the following roads:
- Spring Gulch Road (Clear Creek County Road 130)
- Ute Creek Road (Clear Creek County Road 118)
- Cascade Creek Road (Clear Creek County Road 116)
First, I hit Spring Gulch Road (130). In theory, this connects with Trail Creek Road (136), but I turned back as it was to snowy/muddy. But I talked to some people, and they said that it does connect with Trail Creek Road (136), but I'm thinking I will try it again when it dries up a bit.
On Ute Creek Road (118), I rode up it for a distance, but didn't really feel like it went very far. I must have missed the connection going south down to Cascade Creek Road (116).
I made it up Cascade Creek Road (116) only a short distance, as it was still snowy and muddy.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 8, 2021 at 9:54 AM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 5, 2021
St Mary's Glacier
Today (4/5/2021) was warm and sunny so I took the opportunity to run up to Alice/St Mary's Glacier. This is the first time I've made it up there there year. Last time I tried was in March and there was snow over the road so I turned back.
Today, I went up York Gulch Road a good distance. I stopped and took photos of some of the glory holes I passed on the way up. Then back to Fall River Road and up to Silver Lake. So, I was glad that I was able to ride all of the way up to the top of Fall River Road. No snow in the forecast. Woohoo!
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 5, 2021 at 8:29 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 4, 2021
Squaw Pass
----
Today, I'm going to try to make Squaw Pass. Last time I tried, it was covered in snow, and I'm not riding over snow. So, we'll try it again today, as the temp is now in the 60's.
My route today will be a loop up County Road 65 over Squaw Pass to Echo Lake, down to Idaho Springs, and back via I70. Map says it's 59 miles. 1 hour 44 minutes. Looks like a high today in Idaho Springs of 65F.
So, I did this loop...Squaw Pass down into Idaho Springs. Was going to eat lunch at Carl's Jr, but the woman just stared at me, like she didn't even want to say "what can I get for you?" So, I just turned around and walked out. Rode to Evergreen, and hit up Walmart for some Easter goodies for when Jen and Cody come up. Get back to the house in time for their 2:00pm goat walk.
Jen and Cody show up and join me as the goats feast on the green grass sprouts coming up after the snows of March melted. After the goat walk, we divied up the Easter goodies. Then, Jen and Cody left, and I went for another ride on the motorcycle. This time, took North Turkey Creek to South Turkey Creek to Hilldale Drive to City View Drive and down to Pleasant Park to Deer Creek, then down to Deer Creek Canyon Park. Then, back up Deer Creek Canyon, to South Turkey Creek, to North Turkey Creek.
Then, I fed the animals, and went for the 3rd ride for the day. This time, North Turkey Creek to Jefferson County Hwy 73 to Shadow Mountain and down to Willow Creek.
Pass Bagger 2021:
x Berthoud Pass (11,306 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Loveland Pass (11,991 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Hoosier Pass - (11,542 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Kenosha Pass - (9,997 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Squaw Pass - (9,790 ft above MSL) - 4/4/2021
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 3, 2021
Today's Ride
I just can't begin to explain what March was like. They're saying now that it was the 2nd snowiest March in recorded history for Denver/the state of Colorado. But March is behind us now (today is 4/3/2021) and there is no snow in the forecast. Thank you Jesus!
So, today, I decided I'd get up and start pass-bagging. Like...go hit some mountain passes on the Africa Twin. Today, it looks like I rode roughly 206 miles.
Basically, rode to Evergreen / Idaho Springs / Empire / Berthoud Pass / Trail Head for Jones Pass (Too muddy/snowy to consider) / Loveland Pass / Montezuma / Arapahoe Basin / Breckenridge / Hoosier Pass / Fairplay / Jefferson / Kenosha Pass / Grant / Bailey / Aspen Park / Home. Roughly 206 miles today. Temperature was in the 60's/70's. Essentially, I was just saying "goodbye, see 'ya" to the winter of 2020-2021. They tried to say that March was the snowiest on record for Colorado. But then, they remembered 2003. When we got 6 feet of snow and I drove to the airport and flew to SF to escape the blizzard and the neighbors dug trenches between their houses. So, 2021 turned out to be the 2nd snowiest March for Colorado in recorded history. Christ. But yes, now that it's April, I'm riding again, biatches. Life is too short. There's no snow in the forecast? Then I'm riding. Hang on. It's going to get bumpy.
Pass Bagger 2021:
x Berthoud Pass (11,306 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Loveland Pass (11,991 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Hoosier Pass - (11,542 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
x Kenosha Pass - (9,997 ft above MSL) - 4/3/2021
I will admit that I was always surprised at the amount of snow at the passes today. Like, there's much more snow at the higher elevations. Who knew? (My house is 7,470 ft above MSL).
I couldn't wait to get riding, as I thought I might not live through March.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 3, 2021 at 8:14 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink
Mountain Passes
Dirt:
Boreas Pass - Closed. Open June through October. Dirt road from Como to Breckenridge. Elevation: 11,493' above MSL.
Webster Pass - Closed. Dirt road across continental divide above Montezuma. Open July/August. Elevation: 12,103' above MSL.
Jones Pass - Closed. Dirt road across the Continental divide southwest of Berthoud Pass. Elevation: 12,454' above MSL.
Argentine Pass - Closed. Rough dirt/rock road up the east side of the continental divide. Generally open July - September. From the East, Argentine Pass can only be accessed through a rough 4×4 road. It takes between one and two hours to reach the summit from Georgetown. Elevation 13,207' above MSL.
Shrine Pass - Closed. Dirt road between Red Cliff and Vail Pass. Generally open July - September. Elevation 11,094 above MSL.
Paved:
Guanella Pass - Closed - Scheduled to open May 28, 2021. Elevation: 11,670' above MSL.
Loveland Pass - Open year round. Paved road from Loveland to Arapahoe Basin. Elevation: 11,990' above MSL.
Kenosha Pass - Open year round. Paved road on Highway 285 between Jefferson and Grant. Elevation: 10,000' above MSL.
Hoosier Pass - Open year round. Paved road on Colorado Highway 9 between Fairplay and Breckenridge. Elevation: 11,542' above MSL.
Berthoud Pass - Open year round. Paved road across the continental divide between Empire and Winter Park. Elevation: 11,306' above MSL.
Milner Pass - Trail Ridge Road. ClosedGenerally open from Memorial Day to October. Paved road across the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. Elevation: 10,759' above MSL.
Ute Pass(Grand County) - Runs between Parshall, Colorado and Silverthorne, Colorado.
Independence Pass - Closed. Generally open from Memorial Day to October. Paved road between Aspen and Twin Lakes.
Vail Pass
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 3, 2021 at 11:43 AM : Comments (0) | Permalink
April 2, 2021
NFSR 211 - Matukat Road (aka Goose Creek Road)
Today, I tried to ride the length of NFSR 211, but I was not successful. The NFSR 211 begins just west of Deckers, and I rode it from there, for 15 miles south and west. The warmest it got I think was 64F. But the last few miles were still snowed in somewhat, and very muddy, so I turned back. It looks like the dirt road continues for 9 more miles, before it emerges 18 miles south of Tarryall Reservoir, and 35 miles south of Jefferson, Park County, CO.
Matukat Road (aka Goose Creek Road)
Deckers,
(Jefferson County)
Status: Open
Length: 24.4 miles
Highest Elevation: 8841 feet
Duration: About 1 hour
Shape of Trail: Straight Through
Nearest Town: Deckers
Nearest Town w/ Services: Deckers
Official Road Name: 211
Management Agency: Pike National Forest
District: South Platte, South Park Ranger Districts
Highlight: Matukat Road (aka Goose Creek Road)
Goose Creek Road is an easily accessible trail for all vehicles that offers access to recreational trails and the Cheesman Reservoir. It provides a scenic drive through part of the area that was burned in the Hayman Fire of 2002.
Technical Rating: ( EASY )
Waypoints
1. North Trailhead (0 mi)
The north trailhead is on the south side of Deckers Road/CR 126.
There is a brown road sign pointing that the following are also down NFSR 211:
Cheesman Lake
Flying G Ranch
JVL Valley Ranch
Directions to Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates:
Starting Point: Deckers
North Trailhead
From Deckers, CO, at the intersection of CR 126 and Colorado 67, go west on CR 126 for 2.7 miles and turn south onto NFSR 211.
From Buffalo Creek, CO at the intersection of Pine Valley Rd/SW Platte River Rd/CR 126, go south on CR 126 for 12.7 miles and turn south onto NFSR 211.
South Trailhead
From Jefferson, CO, travel south on CR 77 for 34.6 miles.
From Florrisant, CO, travel west on US-24E for 5.7 miles to turn north on Terryall Rd/CR 77. Continue on Terryall Rd/CR 77 for 6.9 miles.
The trailhead will be on the northeast side of the road and marked as NFSR 211 or Matukat Road.
Posted by Rob Kiser on April 2, 2021 at 7:06 PM : Comments (0) | Permalink