Monument, Mt Herman & the Rassberry Chateau

So this morning I woke up at 4:30am. No alarm, just the natural awaking of the body. I wasn't super motivated to ride but I've been looking at the Rassberry Chateau trail for a while on Topos and a quick look at the radar showed Monument to be free and clear. Time for a morning road trip.

Denver in the early morning light

I found my parking place on Mt Harmon Rd and explored some trails to the north east

I worked my way over to the south of Mtn Herman Rd and the trails quickly brought me here

I then made my way back to the north side of Herman Mtn Rd and found this

Eventually my new found trails brought me back to Mtn Herman and it was just time to climb

Flowers are starting to show everywhere

an eventually I ended up here...

I just couldn't stand the fact that I was passing this out and back without seeing the top so up I went

Some hike a bike required

The top was worth the effort though...View of Pike's Peak

The descending was awesome...

a little further up Mt. Herman Rd and I come here...There was an extention of this to the left that begs to be explored later

restoration project?

So many trails from the motos who have abused the area but somehow I find the right track the 1st time

and the good riding beyond

All I saw on the trails all morning were hikers and all of them were the kindest of folk. At inspiration point one of them offered to take this picture

from Inspiration Point the trail eventually crosses private property...so you have to be quick to find the HZ trail

The rewards are worth the effort

a shrine to a fallen rider, hiker?

Dirty Woman Creek...Monument locals...story behind this?

I've gotta say Monument...you've got some good riding down your way. I'll be back. Awesome morning to be out...just beat the rain and was able to get home just in time to bring my ladies some lunch.