Clear Creek County~ Tour De Mines

No doubt about it, Today's ride was sic! It turned into a solo ride as Little E decided he needed a recovery day after 14 days of Pisgah and then 60 hours of cutting trees in 4 days. He'll be sad though as it was probably one of the best rides I've had since moving to Colorado. Maybe it was exploring the unknown, most of what I rode is not marked on any map I own. Maybe it was the fact I that most of the trail I was riding sat on cliff edges with 200 ft drops with the trail in some places narrowing to 18 inches wide. I've been eying this route since November of last year and all my preparation had paid off.

Clear Creek County and Georgetown is all I'll say about the route but I'll assure you by saying all of what I rode was ligit.

The day started at 6am on the bike and riding above the beautiful Clear Creek



It was raging with all the snow melt



I found the old railroad grade I was looking for and began my 6 mile climb



I dig riding earley



1st of the ruins of the old mining days I come across



gotta love these old railroad grades. They make some beautiful easy climbing



More mine ruins



crossing over 10,000 ft on a north facing slope and I run into a bit of snow. Funny thing is this section was maybe 25 yards long and then no more snow seen all day



The Alfine performed flawlessly all day and enjoyed some singletrack



Views from the highest point of the day



The descent brought the music of multiple creeks



the next section of singletrack was world class







Got some good timer shots



I think I rode stuff with more exposure thoughout the day but this is the infamous Turn of Doom. Hard to tell but its loose and off camber and if you miss it, a 50 foot drop awaits.



a quick ride through historic Georgetown



Check out this old Military Medic Truck. My wife and I are huge MASH fans



Then it was back to mining roads and the single track that lay beyond



with some huge exposure



some cliff riding



and miles of more great single track







with great views



and more exposure



old mining caves



and narrow single track





Wonder how long that wood has held this section of trail up?



Top of the Spring Creek 4x4 Trail



and watchin the 4x4's go up



While I use some orienteering skills



Eventually I make my way back to Clear Creek



Then on up to Empire



Checked out some more Mines



and Made my way down Empire Pass



Beautiful morning to be on the bike and I've already got a few more routes planned for Clear Creek County.