From our camp we mountain biked around Twin Lakes. The loop started on Segment 11 of the Colorado Trail and headed down to Twin Lakes Village. We crossed the highway and continued on a rocky, rooty section with a couple of hike a bikes. We kept on the CT until historic Interlaken where we hopped off our bikes and spent time checking out the old buildings.
Interlaken Hotel & Resort was one of the premier Colorado resorts in the late 1800s. With comfortable lakeside rooms, a log tavern, a pool hall, and sheds for guest’s horses, folks could relax and enjoy nature.
My favorite building was Dexter’s house. James Dexter owned the resort and he spared no expense when building his house. It’s distinctive architecture mirrors a captains house he admired in New England. He had birdseye maple and other expensive woods transported from the East Coast for the interior paneling, fireplace, and furniture. The house is open during the day so we were able to walk around inside and check out the structure. I climbed the stairs to the glass enclosed cupola.
After looking around we hopped back on our bikes and continued on the trail around the lake. We pedaled across the dam, admiring the huge mountain and lake views before hitting the north side singletrack that took us all the way back to camp.
All told our loop was 18.3 miles and 1800′ of climbing. Derek made one of my favorites for dinner, fish tacos! We relaxed outside, admiring Mt. Elbert and Twin Lakes.
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