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June 16, 2021
Mount Evans(2) - Wed June 16th, 2021
Today (Wed June 16th, 2021), I met Steve and Vince in Lyons and we rode up Mt. Evans.
My Map Route looked something like this.
Starting odometer: 49,541 Time Depart: 8:22 a.m.
Ending odometer: 49,846. Time Return: 5:50 p.m.
Miles Ridden Today: 305 miles.
Time Traveling: 8:22 am to 5:50 pm = 9 hours 28 minutes.
Pass Bagger: Squaw Pass
So, today I rode down the hill to meet Steve and Vince in Lyons at the Stone Cup at 9:30 a.m. I think that, in theory, we were supposed to drink coffee there, but it was closed when we got there. Unless I'm mistaken, I rolled in right on time at 9:30 a.m. So, no coffee, and we rode out of town
So, Highway 285 down to C-470 to Highway 6 to 93 to Boulder, then north out of Boulder on 7 to 36 to Lyons. Arrive Lyons 9:30 a.m. Roughly 58 miles. Odometer: 49,599.
The Stone Cup restaurant was closed for whatever reason, so we just took off for Mt Evans, rolling down Colorado State Highway 7 to Colorado State Highway 72 through Ward down south to Nederland, then on 119 south down to Black Hawk, then up to Central City and down the million dollar highway, then to Carl's Jr for a meal, I think.
As it turns out, Vince used to live in Idaho Springs, back in the day.
Then, south up Colorado State Highway 103 to Colorado State Highway 5.
Interestingly, at you don't have to pay or have a reservation when you go up Mt Evans. This is the 2nd time this year I've been up without paying. The trick is that the state built the road, so it's illegal for them to charge you to drive on a road you already paid for, as it turns out. But parking is different. If you're going to park, then you need to pay, and they give you a little piece of paper to put inside your windshield so you won't get a ticket when you park. But if you're just riding, then you don't have to pay. And so, that's what we did. It's the 2nd time I've been up there this year, and I haven't paid either time.
So, up to summit of Mt Evans. Then, back down to Echo Lake, and now following Squaw Pass Road (State Highway 103) down to Witter Gulch (Clear Creek County Highway 475) down to Upper Bear Creek, to the Willow Creek Restaurant where we stopped to refresh with some drinks and appetizer (thanks Steve).
Then, up JeffCo Highway 73 to Brook Forest Road to Shadow Mountain Road, a big loop that comes back onto 73 near Aspen Park, then back north on 73 to Evergreen, and down the Bear Creek canyon through Idledale and Kittredge to Morrison where we refueled. There, we split up, and they returned North up the front range, and I came back to my place via 285 to try to take care of the cats.
Surprisingly, on my ride home, at some point, I noticed a road I'd never been on before near my house. Had a large sign that said "Mount Lindo", and I went up it, nearly dark, switchbacking up this dirt road. Eventually, I turned back, but I later learned it's an old cemetery on top of the hill. Somehow, I've lived here 20 years and never even knew it was there.
Pass Bagger:
1) Squaw Pass - 11,990'. Continental Divide.
Posted by Rob Kiser on June 16, 2021 at 11:06 PM
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