Georgia Pass via mountain bike

We got one (potentially) last really warm weekend on October before the snows start to sock in the high country. April had prior plans in the city so I packed up the car solo with my mountain bike for one last camping/biking weekend for the season. Headed up to Kenosha Pass southwest of Denver and set up in the dispersed car-camping area east of the pass. So nice and peaceful; this area is packed most of the summer but now in October it was pretty desolate, yet convenient. On Saturday afternoon I rode the Colorado Trail about 6 miles east until it enters the Lost Creek Wilderness area (no bikes allowed in Wilderness Areas.)

After a relaxing evening alone reading next my campfire, on Sunday I rode northwest up to the Continental Divide at Georgia Pass. This was my Big Ride of the season, so happy to get up to the divide via my legs this year. It's been a long summer of recovery, and a huge trophy to regain the continent.

very last of the autumn colors at 10,500ft. Sawatch Range beyond

crossroads of the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Scenic Trail

at Georgia Pass on the Continental Divide at 11,600ft... looking west towards Breckenridge

Instead of backtracking, I opted for the Jefferson Creek trail to loop me back down. Plenty of snow on this north facing slope; below tree line I ended up slogging through 2 miles of 8" snowy switchbacks while dropping down into the sweet flowing creekside singletrack along Jefferson Creek. Totally worth the hassle!

 

About 25miles and 5,000ft of climbing today.... wish this was every day of my life!