Snow at the higher elevations is melting fast. Today’s mountain bike loop was 21 miles with a whopping 3557′ of climbing. We rode up Jones Creek and Pinkerton/Flagstaff and down Dutch Creek. This is a beast of a loop with loads of climbing, some steep hikes, and technical downhills. We’re tired and taking tomorrow off.
We did this ride last fall when the aspens turned the forests a lemon lime hue. This time we got to experience all the greenery and flowers. Back in 2018 the Hermosa Creek Watershed experienced a 54,000-acre “416 Fire” that was quite devastating. Regrowth is happening in stark contrast to the blackened burned out landscape. The rugged feeling of this watershed is amazing. It’s raw, wild, and inspiring.
Once most of the climbing is done you’re high up on the ridge looking towards Silverton, Colorado and you get a true feeling of the vastness of the forest. Dutch Creek and Hermosa were both flowing fairly good and our toes got wet on a few crossings. I sure hope this area gets significant rainfall over the next few months. The trail surface in places can only be describend as moondust.
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