Previously you learned that rain fell b4 going to bed and as the temp dropped it changed to snow. Forecast was for 30% precip w/ snowfall being an inch. I figured that if that much snow fell I would be able to ride in the AM and be able to drive down the hill. More moisture than predicted merged w/ the dropping temps and turned into snow all night. I turned to ready to roll just after 8AM. Sunrise is 7:39.
I put on the low cut LL Bean shoepaks and stepped down into 6″ dry snow. Oh Boy. Shoots the riding and challenged the departure. I needed to back up about 7o feet up a very slight grade. I was parked on a knoll like a pitcher’s mound. My first back up fell quite short of the backing up climbing turn that would set me up for the downhill. Never lost the favor of gravity as I drove back up onto the mound. It took 5 tries to make the turn. I slithered the turn in drive and crept down first tracks on a steep gravel road. I kept my wits about me to negotiate a short climb never loosing momentum. I made it to the plowed main county road and drove on plowed state highway to town of Ridgway to hang waiting out road plowing and clearing skies.
I had provisions for another day when forecasted temps were to climb into 40s which should have melted the snow. I chose to dash. Snow quit falling just b4 noon when skies cleared and the black pavement steamed. My next stop is Dolores on the other side of 11,222′ Lizzard Pass. 2 wheel drive w/ all weather tires and no chains required bare roads.
I parked in a plowed small business lot and then walked the main drag up to Peak to Peak sports. Sidewalks are not shoveled. 6″ fresh snow. Visited w/ Randy, the owner, and scratched his dog. This last summer he played host to Charlie and Leslie, the other IMBA trail crew team, for a trail care visit here in Ridgway. Plan is to grow the trails to attract riders who spend $ in the community. Gee, where have I heard that b4?
Ridgway was at the edge of the storm. My drive to Delores was on bare pavement almost the whole way. The depth of snow on top of the solar collector prevented generation of battery juice. I reached a point on my drive that the temp reached above freezing and stayed that way until sundown that melted off all the snow. The mountain views at Lizzard Pass were spectacular w/ whitened flanks, clouds, and blue sky.
My plan is to ride the greater Boggy Dew trails above Dolores. I drove up to the TH @ 7523′. Infrequent small patches of snow remain and the trails appear to be very rideable for tomorrow. I am camped in the TH parking. The heater is on high. Cloudless night.