copper cdt

Dirt bagged at a shopping center in Dillon, parked against the side of Sports Authority. No interruptions to my sleep.

Drove to Dillon public park overlooking Dillon Reservoir to enjoy self prepared breakfast. Passed a motorhome parked on shoulder of road, out in the city open with a wonderful view. I assumed people spent the night. How brazen! Next time I’ll push my envelope.

Drove back uphill to Copper Ski area for more CDT riding. Copper has I70 roaring right uphill of the parking lot. No mountain road driving for these skiers. Area has grown since my 1988(?) visit. Hard finding the trail from the parking lot: rode blind roadways trying to cross the creek to the trail.

CDT is well maintained and is shared by multiple user groups, most noticeably by the horses & dudes riding them. Rode thru horse riding section. Climbed almost constantly; what went down on the way up would be climb up on way back. A bit of hike a bike over rocks & roots. Getting more proficient but still act conservatively & walk. About 2 hours to ride to Searle Pass. Saw Annie’s cabin which is part of the 10th Mountain Division hut system tucked in the trees just at treeline. Big cabin, saw propane tank, chimney flues, & solar panels.

Windy before pass. Dropped bike & hiked the last bit to the pass. Saw No Snowmobile signs at pass as the Breckenridge side is more gradual easier to snowmobile in. Short break & retraced my track walking less as gravity provides an engine to get over obstacles.

Back to Copper parking lot. All day i saw 1 runner, a backpacker and 2 hikers. Go CDT. The mountains are so spectacular.

Back to Dillon on way to Winter Park. Found laundromat & low and behold a coin operated shower. $2.00 for 5 min water pressure shower. Clean clothes & cheaply cleaned body.

Back on I-70 East to rt 40 & up & over another 11,000′ pass to Winter Park for tomorrow’s ride. Picked a FS dirt road & drove 3 miles back up in toolies for a dirtbag camp. Passed a guy riding a recumbant loaded with all kinds of gear towards the dead end road.

Looking up towards Searle Pass

Just another 2684″ climb topping out @ 12,100′ for a 15.8 mile out & back ride. Some of that elevation is from the downs on the way up.