I had to work in the Boulder office dispatching our bike couriers today so I took the opportunity to get in a quick road bike ride in the mountains after I got out from behind the computer. Started up Boulder Canyon for a few miles, then northwest up 4 Mile Canyon (another classic Boulder area climb.) This area had been devastated by the infamous
4 Mile Fire back in September 2010- burning over 130 homes and making it the most destructive (to man-made structures, anyway) forest fire in Colorado's history. I hadn't been here since the fire occurred and have been wanting to see the aftermath first hand. It's a fun, steep climb located conveniently close to town, gaining about 3000ft in 13mi from Boulder.
The road turns to packed dirt after about 6mi and gets into the thick of the burn area.
Continuing upwards, I reached the historic mining town of Gold Hill at 8100ft. The firefighters luckily saved this little mountain community and its 100+ year old structures from the fire. Just barely, as you'll notice how close the burn came to town.
Topping out around 8300ft above Gold Hill, it was downhill back into Boulder via Sunshine Canyon. I was glad when the bumpy dirt road turned back into pavement so I could open it up safely for the long twisty descent into town.
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| backside of the Flatirons on the upper left |
2 hours; 23 miles and 3100ft of climbing. Another day at the office.
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