Day two of riding has us headed the opposite direction out of our deluxe RV camp site!
We head to the north for a ways then hang a left and next thing you know we are on top of Independence pass. Okay, maybe it's a bit more complex than that. :)
Beautiful and kooky views along the way. These horses, though completely free to move around, stood up acting like they were ready to pull a trailer or boat or other assorted yard 'art'.
Part way on our trip - at the turn to the west - was an abandoned hotel/lounge. It had a conveniently located couch on the porch. On the way up to the pass, the couch was nasty looking. Upon return, it was a beautiful couch. :)
I find Dave waiting for me at the ghost hotel
It's quite welcoming. :)
Here is some info on the pass from http://www.mybicycleroutes.com/xindependencepassinfopage.html.
The East approach to the summit is less fascinating and less
traveled. The first 12 miles out of Twin Lakes gives you a forested
ride through meadows and high forest. The climb grades are moderate
at most and provide for a very very nice ride. The real climbing does
not start until you are 12.5 miles out of Twin Lakes. Once there, you
know you are going up. Also, you should be able to see your first
major ramp of the climb carved out of the hillside. Starting just past
mile 15, you hit the ramp and get some of the steepest climbing of this
face. The grades approach 7%. You have a total of three switchbacks
on this climb and reach the summit just past mile 19. You will be
treated to a couple of false summits as you climb. However, the final
two miles are spectacular as you are well above timberline and trekking
across alpine tundra and even a few snow fields. The climb here is
slow and goes through a couple of very steep curves. If you are
heading down this side, you’ll need to check your speed to keep a good
line.For downhill adventure, the Twin Lakes side is better for speed.
There are a couple of switchbacks near the summit that should slow you
down, but after those, it’s no holds barred.
We rode the pass from the east (out of Twin Lakes). It was quite pretty for sure. While the winds most of this ride may be consider my sanity (or destroy any sanity I had left), the ride once higher was a bit protected from the wind...until near the summit.
Brutal winds! Always head winds.
Dave arrived at the top before me (as usual).
Some fun signage.
This is part of what it looked like at the summit above tree line.
Some of the last switch backs near the top.
Summit selfie
And here I come. This is the last photo with my beloved hair tie. I'll miss that little thing.
Check out my hair. I wish it were flying up due to my impressive speed. It was the wind instead. In fact, that I'm going forward into the wind IS impressive!
Victory! The weather was really building during the last hour or so...I wasn't sure if I'd get to the top without being weathered off. I made it though!
This date was our actual fifth anniversary. Fun place and way to celebrate it!
This ride down was not as squirrely though there were winds. It was COLD though. We got to Twin Lakes where we got rained on a bit. We froze while hiding at the side of the general store for a while. We hoped the weather would pass...we still had about 26 miles to go to get back to camp.
Freezing in the wind though we were able to hide from most of the rain.
And that couch. Yes, look how good it looks now. I though so after being hailed/snowed on a for a little bit.
83 miles later and about 5,100 feet in elevation climbing, I got back to the camper tired and a bit cold. Dave had some hot chocolate waiting for me.
After a delicious dinner, we had a celebratory carrot cake. :)
The next day we headed out to Monitor Rock for some climbing. This is located part the way up Independence Pass. Dave had been there a million years ago - it was a first for me.
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