This weekend we decided to leave rainy Boulder in exchange for more solid precipitation and to give Jen a fresh fix of the mountains before she heads off to Florida.  Mister Winter was definitely knocking on the door up there…

On our way up there was still some blue sky

No blue sky by Yankee Doodle Lake

Strelka checking out Yankee Doodle Lake

The west bank of Yankee Doodle Lake

Despite being in the gray clouds there was still some colour to be found

This red “carpet” also caught my eye back in 2005

As we started our ascent it was clear that we wouldn’t have many views

But no views doesn’t mean you can’t have fun

These weather shelters were nicely decorated with seating and tables!

Heading up towards the Continental Divide

“Are you sure this is the way?” asks Strelka

“Before you answer let me check out this smell here…”

“I don’t know, dude, this seems to lead to nowhere…”

A Continental Divide Trail marker shows we are on track

“OK, you were right, but check out my spiffy coat”

“This is how it looks from the side”

“I am pretty darn cute, am I not?”

The only kind of views we got between snow clouds drifting through

As we were heading down we finally got a glimpse of the surrounding mountains

More views of the surrounding mountains

Yet again the “Black and White” world of winter…

Its that time of year again.  The aspen leaves are turning golden yellow; almost fluorescent.  Earlier this year in Spring we noticed how plenty full the aspens were around the 4th of July road, so we made it a goal to come back and check them out in Fall.  It was no disappointment!  The last several miles of the drive up was through a tunnel of golden aspens.

More pictures here.

Colorado amazes me.  The number of “destinations” is abundant.  Everywhere you look there are mountains to climb, trails to hike, and trails to bike.  There is no end to it.

The destination for this past Saturday was American Lakes which is located within the not so creatively named State Park called “State Forest“.  State Forest is just north of Rocky Mountain National Park and just west of Fort Collins but we had yet to visit that whole general area, so Saturday morning we got up early, put the bikes on the Durango and headed north and then west along the Poudre river.   The drive up through the canyon was incredibly scenic and the views only got better the further up the canyon we went.  This trend stayed with us as we got on the bikes and started climbing up towards the American Lakes and Thunder Pass.  When we got to and above tree limit, the breathtaking views were all around.

Colorado!

More pictures here.

The days are getting shorter.  For sure.  Yesterday, the Redstone Cyclery tuesday night ride group spent the daylight hours doing trail maintenance working on a couple of spots on the Nelson loop at Hall Ranch.

After putting in some good work, we turned the lights on and rode out in the dark of the night.  Good times!

Flash is needed to view this video.

Yesterday was the first real night ride of the season, and what a joy it was.  There is just simply something magical about picking your way around and between the trees in the dark of the night with nothing but the trail and a headlamp guiding you.  Thanks for orchestrating, Dave!