St Elmo to Tin Cup

First a little back tracking, I realized I never really mentioned where we were at the moment. Also, just to make sure you know, you should be able to click on the pictures and get a bigger version. If you get out your atlas or open up another browser window, we are staying in the thriving metropolis of Nathrop, CO, between Buena Vista and Salida on the Arksansas River, right where Chalk Creek flows into it. There's pretty much nothing here but the campground and a rafting company building. The General Store doesn't look like its been open for years.
Todays ride started in the old mining town of St Elmo, about 15 miles up Chalk Creek from where we are staying. They've restored a number of buildings including the one above which provided a well deserved ice cream sandwich post ride. Another curiosity about this place is a gaggle of chipmunks (don't really know what a group of chipmunks is called but I really like the word gaggle). These are the tamest bordering on brazen critters I've ever seen. This is getting a little ahead, but I sat down across from the store with my ice cream, sort of on the edge of this nature show. One of the little pests spotted me, figured i had food and came right over, running between my legs etc. Then a little later I feel something in my pocket and freak out a little quickly realizing one decided to see if I had anything interesting in there.
Anyways, on to the ride. It starts up a forest road that used to be a rail grade at the turn of the century so its quite reasonable in its grade, we climbed about 1000 feet in 6 miles, ending at 11,000 feet. At this point we where in the old mining town of Hancock, quite the swinging place in 1900, not so much now. All thats left is a few timbers of one of the saloons. At this point the road continued straight but the old rail grade curves around, no longer a forest road. The climbing got a little steeper and the old rail ties and tree roots didn't help but it still was a very reasonable grade. We passed a few hikers heading out to check out the Alpine Tunnel remains, which we did as well. Visually unimpressive but the story is pretty amazing, hand digging a tunnel at 11,500 feet, through the dead of winter, progressing at a rate of only a few feet a day. Hey but they got paid $3 a day.


At this point the single track started, the picture doesn't really show how steep it was but it was. The snow field provided a bit of foreshadowing. No problems getting across these two. We hiked and rode up maybe another quarter mile and hit a nasty steep snow field. There were some tracks across but after an initial attempt we determined there was NO way we were gonna get across it, especially with the bikes. We finally determined that we might be able to get around it and up to the trail so off we went. No issues till we actually had to gain the elevation the trail did at a gradual rate. Basically we had to side step up little baby steps then pull the bike up behind us. I would definitely say its the steepest somewhat sustained climb I've done with a bike in tow. Another hundred yards and we were at the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). We took a right there, climbed up a little more and then actually got to ride our bikes for a bit. At this point we are basically above tree line so the views were amazing in all directions. The trail itself left a little to be desired, but we have found that in a few other places we have been that high. It gets quite sloppy in spots where the snow melts are running as well as getting a little rutted in spots. But all that is more than forgiven for the amazing views that it affords, being up that high
We passed by Tunnel Lake, down behind me in the picture above


After a few miles of this amazing scenery it was time to head back down. The CDT headed down to the north branch of the Chalk Creek. We got a little confused at one point where the trail seemed to split but realized that work was being done to replace a steep fall line section of trail with some switch backs. Another mile or so and we were down at the Tin Cup Pass where we had to take a forest road back down to St Elmo and the waiting truck (and chipmunks). All told it was "only" about 18 miles but between hike-a-bikes and pictures we were out there about 5 hours.
Still no garlic so Howie whipped up some awesome grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches for dinner.
We also got word earlier this week that War's wife got him a plane ticket and will be meeting us for our last piece of the trip in Bozeman MT. Now that's a good wife!