It's a simple trail but it's the closest one to me in Evergreen. I wanted to get out, decompress my brain as I prepare for a week-long work trip, and take in some aspen leaves before the color's gone.
The drive up 103 from Bergen Park to Echo Lake was just beautiful, as always. Cool morning, roof open, windows down, leaves blowing in... Not a bad way to start an ordinary Tuesday.
I got to the turnoff just before the seasonal gate just past MM11 (on the downhill side as you're heading toward Idaho Springs on 103) and aired down. This is a mild trail but I figure God invented tire deflators and air compressors, so I put mine to use. This was also my first trail drive since swapping my OME heavies for some mediums on loan from Paul (Largeone: THANKS!). I have a Moab trip coming up in October so I had to do a shakedown anyway.
I started the trail and followed the "FunTreks" guide map. Just about 1 mile up the trail you get into a nice aspen canopy and the foliage did not disappoint!
For those of you who know the trail, you know it's quite easy, save one short, steep, loose hill covered in decent-sized rocks. Tire placement is pretty important - especially if your rocker panels are sill naked like mine - and low range came in pretty handy. I didn't have to lock up my rear diff at all; just crawled up in low range.
I had the whole trail to myself this morning; just what the doctor ordered! The views from the trail are quite beautiful right now with dots of gold all across the valleys and into the mountains. The bright blue sky and cotton clouds provided a perfect backdrop.
If you haven't taken the time to get out and check out the fall colors here in the foothills, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GET OUTSIDE! Today was a great reminder of how fortunate we are to live where we live.
The drive up 103 from Bergen Park to Echo Lake was just beautiful, as always. Cool morning, roof open, windows down, leaves blowing in... Not a bad way to start an ordinary Tuesday.
I got to the turnoff just before the seasonal gate just past MM11 (on the downhill side as you're heading toward Idaho Springs on 103) and aired down. This is a mild trail but I figure God invented tire deflators and air compressors, so I put mine to use. This was also my first trail drive since swapping my OME heavies for some mediums on loan from Paul (Largeone: THANKS!). I have a Moab trip coming up in October so I had to do a shakedown anyway.
I started the trail and followed the "FunTreks" guide map. Just about 1 mile up the trail you get into a nice aspen canopy and the foliage did not disappoint!
For those of you who know the trail, you know it's quite easy, save one short, steep, loose hill covered in decent-sized rocks. Tire placement is pretty important - especially if your rocker panels are sill naked like mine - and low range came in pretty handy. I didn't have to lock up my rear diff at all; just crawled up in low range.
I had the whole trail to myself this morning; just what the doctor ordered! The views from the trail are quite beautiful right now with dots of gold all across the valleys and into the mountains. The bright blue sky and cotton clouds provided a perfect backdrop.
If you haven't taken the time to get out and check out the fall colors here in the foothills, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GET OUTSIDE! Today was a great reminder of how fortunate we are to live where we live.