Searle Pass

#followcamfriday on segment 8.2 of the Colorado Trail with James Weingarten.

Fall happened amazingly fast in the high-country this year. It seemed as though the window of aspen color was shorter this season. The alpine still has a pleasant color to the ground, but it won't be long until these mountains are covered in snow. I am looking forward to some skiing in the coming months. It's not worth fighting the seasons. All you can do is make the most of what you have in front of you. 

I have always ridden Searle as and out and back, starting at Copper Mountain and climbing up to about 12,200, before sending it back down. The upper bit of alpine singletrack is nothing short of amazing, and well worth the 3000ft grunt to get up there. 

Janet's Cabin is hidden in the forest, as the trail rises above treeline. We stopped, searching for snacks, but the place was locked. This is a popular hut to rent in the winter, with skiing opportunities right out the door. It's way too nice to be just sitting up here locked in the middle of the woods. Very strange. 

The kinnickinnic was glowing in this particular section. Visually stunning, to say the least. Kinnickinnic. Say that ten times fast...

Somehow, James and I managed to each break a spoke within about 30 seconds of trail. No sooner had I wrapped mine around another one and carried on down the trail, than James immediately matched my effort, breaking one of his own. In all of my years of riding, I have never seen two spokes break on two different bikes in the course of 50ft of trail. Reasonably amazing.  I guess that is a testament to the terrain and how hard we are actually pushing these bikes. 

Bring back Slalom!

Just meadow-skipping along. The lower section of Searle is nuclear-fast with amazing sight lines. Hold on tight and jump over sharp things. Rules of the game. You will know when you do not adhere to the rules. 

Get out there this weekend! Our time in the alpine is limited. There is no time like the present.