White and Gold - Bike'n the San Juan's

Fall colors and biking!  What more can you ask for?  Snow?  Well we got a little bit of the white stuff too.  We spent the week camping, exploring and biking some zones new to us. All were top notch and we will defiantly be visiting again.  Some of our favorites from the trip include Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, "RAT" trails in Ridgway, and Phil's World in Cortez.  Trail maps of these zones will be listed at the bottom of the post.  We wrapped up the trip with a high elevation ride around iconic Engineer Mtn. near Coal Bank pass in the San Juan mountains.  We were both pleasantly surprised by the quality downhill single track from Engineer mtn, and highly recommend it!

Meeting mommy at the end of her ride

Meeting mommy at the end of her ride

 
West Needle and Twilight Pks loom above at the exit of the Engineer Mtn Trail - Kristin

West Needle and Twilight Pks loom above at the exit of the Engineer Mtn Trail - Kristin

 
The Joker Mine

The Joker Mine

 
Playing while mom rides - "RAT" trails

Playing while mom rides - "RAT" trails

 
Aspens

Aspens

 
Hitchhiker - Phil's World

Hitchhiker - Phil's World

 
Pass Creek Trail - San Juan's

Pass Creek Trail - San Juan's

 
Yankee Girl Mine & Red Mountain #2

Yankee Girl Mine & Red Mountain #2

 
Snowing at treeline - Engineer Mtn.

Snowing at treeline - Engineer Mtn.

 
Phil's World Flows

Phil's World Flows

 
The mighty San Juan's - Ridgway

The mighty San Juan's - Ridgway

 
Shuttle pickup for Engineer Mtn Trail

Shuttle pickup for Engineer Mtn Trail

 
Tree Goof

Tree Goof

 
Pond

Pond

 
My Bubs

My Bubs

 
Soon to be snow covered

Soon to be snow covered

 
Engineer Mtn

Engineer Mtn

 
Smiles

Smiles

 

Interactive Maps of Zones we Rode:

  • top ride listed to the right 
  • click trails or ride names to get detailed information
 
 

Fall Color Explosion - Elk Mountains

Waited out the weekend crowd then headed to the hills to take in natures fall color display.  We explored Lincoln Creek near Independence Pass looking for a place to hangout for the evening before heading to the Maroon Bells the next morning.  We found a glorious little gem of an area, maybe my favorite Vanski site to date!  Came with its own 4x4 rock slab driveway, rendering it inaccessible to many vehicles.   It also came with its own narrow canyon with swimming holes and waterfalls!   

Our Backyard for a Night - Lincoln Creek, CO

Our Backyard for a Night - Lincoln Creek, CO

 
Sievers Mountain - Elk Mountains, CO 

Sievers Mountain - Elk Mountains, CO 

 
Summit Cairn 

Summit Cairn 

 
 
Camp - Lincoln Creek

Camp - Lincoln Creek

This glorious spot we accessed via some rock slab 4-wheeling

 
Levitating Boulder

Levitating Boulder

 
Lights

Lights

 
Nature is Unreal - Elk Mountains, CO

Nature is Unreal - Elk Mountains, CO

 
Crater Lake Trail

Crater Lake Trail

 
Dinner Time

Dinner Time

 
An Old Stagecoach Stop in Route to Aspen

An Old Stagecoach Stop in Route to Aspen

 
Caffeine Syringe 

Caffeine Syringe 

 
 
Yellow

Yellow

 
Maroon Bells - Maroon Lake, CO

Maroon Bells - Maroon Lake, CO

 
Happy Hikers

Happy Hikers