Colorado Trail Segment 7.4

Simply put, the Colorado Trail never disappoints. Segment 7.4 from Wheeler to Copper with Botsy Phillips and James Weingarten. #followcamfriday alpine social distancing tour 2020. 

I can't think of a section of the Colorado Trail that I am not a fan of. After climbing this section many times over the years to access Miner's Creek, this was strangely the first time I have ridden down this bit. It certainly won't be the last. Basically, 3000ft of rad. 

If you time this one just right, you will only encounter a couple of short sections of snow. The decomposing granite goes from snow-covered, to dusty and blown out, over night, so best to catch this one right after a rain, or just as the snow permits access. No Colorado high-country adventure is complete without a river or snow crossing. Wet feet are the norm. Now we are mountain biking. 

Copper Mountain looms in the distance as we drop into this 3000ft rip to the valley floor. The Colorado Trail continues up from there, climbing past Copper, over Searle Pass, and eventually to Camp Hale. The descent down Searle is also a gem. 

If exposure isn't your thing, this may not be the trail for you. I was surprised that James didn't manual this entire section to make it slightly more dangerous. One clipped pedal and you are gonna have a bad time. 

Long live the chunk. This section is littered with talus. Baby-heads as far as the eye can see. This is my prefered riding surface, if I had to pick just one. Footballs and mailboxes and microwaves FTW

Botsy and James are having a discussion about snacks. If you are trying to do this as a loop from Breck, consider bringing some. You will need them. Fortunately James sustains himself off of back-wheel love and doesn't actually need to eat on these mega-rides. James' cup is full of stoke.  How satisfying. 

Nothing quite like a 30mph manual through the trees and rocks. What could go wrong?

There is just something special about these old, eroded hiking routes that make for some of my favorite riding. As rough and natural as they come, 10ft wide, and full of bonus lines. Big thanks to the hikers for beating this thing in and widening it so much over the years, it truly does make for a world-class section of trail. For a user group that traditionally hates mountain biking, they sure do make us some sweet trails. Many thanks. Keep it up trampers.