Molas Pass

One of the finest bits of alpine singletrack the iconic Colorado Trail has to offer with the one and only Mr. Chris Boice. #followcamfriday alpine bliss. 

Monsoon season in the San Juan is very special. Basically, you can guarantee that it will be raining by 4pm, each and every day. You can set your watch by it. It will be crystal clear when you wake up in the morning, but you really need to be out of the alpine by 1pm. When the clouds start building, the pace lifts. 

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Riding during this phenomenon can be likened to storm chasing to ski powder. If snow is expected for the next week, you just drop what you are doing and go skiing. Quit your job, smash your phone, dump your boyfriend. Whatever. Just make it happen. Priorities. This is basically the same situation, only in the summer. The conditions just don't get any better. The foliage is popping. Everything is peeking. I think I will be staying for a bit, leaving would be disrespectful. 

Never in my life have I seen so much green popping out of the ground. Head-high flowers and foliage as far as the eye can see. It is honestly a challenge to stay on the trail it's so thick. If you lean in turns, you have to use your index finger to hold your brake lever from being depressed by the plants. True story. They will crash you. You have been warned. 

We started plenty early and Chris Boice had never really been swimming at 12'500ft, so this seemed appropriate somehow. I can't think of a better way to cool off after spending the better part of an hour climbing up to here. There were just a few leeches, but that is all part of the experience. Chris kept his bibs on for safety. And for my eyes. 

This is segment 25 of the Colorado Trail, from Molas Pass to Engineer Mountain Trail. This is one of my favorite sections due to the surreal scenery. It is hard to beat. As this was the first time Chris had been on this part, things felt extra special. It's always fun watching friends process amazing parts of trail for the first time. Always puts a smile on my face. 
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Despite the recent uptick in outdoor rec, the San Juan is still largely unspoiled. Just by nature of the location, it will remain this way for longer than most mountain destinations. Basically, Durango and Silverton aren't really close to anything. Denver is a solid 6 hours away. And honestly, the riding is hard and unforgiving. Not everyone's cup of tea perhaps. The San Juan is just hard enough and just too far to go for the average weekend warrior. I like it that way. 

Doin it for the gram. If you call me an "influencer" I might just choke you out. This is my job in a roundabout way, but I do not do this for likes, or numbers on a screen, or validation. I have always done this, before smartphones and youtube, and I will continue to do this after social media dies a fiery death in hell. I am motivated by spending time with amazing people in remote places that are hard to get to. Nothing worth doing is easy. Nothing means much in life if the easy route is your goal. 

So, to summarize. As long as it keeps raining, I really can't bring myself to leave this place. If you need me, I will be wandering around at 12K, keeping a keen eye on the weather and riding my bicycle until my legs don't work. Much love San Juan. Much Love. Don't forget your jacket.