Sideroads: The Galloping Goose Trail

Posted on August 13, 2011 by

RGS water tank

Old RGS water tank along the Galloping Goose Trail. This is located at approximately Point B on the GPS map.


The Galloping Goose was a famous part of the Rio Grand Southern Railroad. RGS connected Ridgway with Telluride and, via Lizard Head Pass, down to Rico and around finally to Durango. The railroad went through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies, including Dallas Divide, Telluride, around Trout Lake, over Lizard Head Pass, and on. When mining wound down around here, the line suffered. Rather than send a full train, engine and all, when the passenger load was light, they created the Galloping Goose, made of an old Continue reading →

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Alta Lake Wildflowers

Posted on August 13, 2011 by

White flowers

White flowers that remind me of snap dragons. I can't find them in the flower book.

On July 1st I took the road up to Alta Lakes (see here). A few wildflowers caught my eye. Continue reading →

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Sideroads: Alta Lakes South of Telluride

Posted on August 13, 2011 by

Westernmost Alta Lake

View of westernmost of the three Alta Lakes


I’ve zoomed right on by this road for years, but of late I’ve taken to exploring side roads. The three Alta Lakes, two of which are publicly accessible, are off of Colorado State Hwy 145, not far south of Telluride. The photo below shows the sign Continue reading →

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Uncompahgre Plateau July 4th Wildflowers

Posted on August 13, 2011 by

Sunflower

Alpine sunflower is the closest I can find in the flower book. The stems make for interesting patterns, too.


My wife and I made a July 4th pilgrimage to Uncompahgre Plateau to photograph wildflowers. Early July seems the best time to see the mules ears, which cover dozens of acres along Montrose County Road 90 just east of where it enters the Uncompahgre National Forest. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Continue reading →

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Buck Trail Wildflowers

Posted on August 13, 2011 by

Ragwort

Ragwort flowers along Buck Trail


Yesterday, while riding with Gary (see here), the wildflowers were everywhere. I stopped along the Buck Trail to snap some pictures. The flower above appears to be from the ragwort Continue reading →

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Uncompahgre Plateau Rides: Aspen and Buck Trails

Posted on August 12, 2011 by

Dave and Gary

That's me on the left and Gary Garren on the right. And, yes, Gary's riding a Honda 90!


Gary Garren has a Honda 90. Yep, remember those? And he’s a pretty doggoned good rider, too! I thought my bike was small, but Gary sure has me beat! We had a great time today riding the Aspen and Buck trails atop the Uncompahgre Plateau outside Montrose, Colorado. This next picture gives you a better idea what the Honda 90 looks like (yes, I realize it’s Continue reading →

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The Honda 90 Lives! Gary Garren on Uncompahgre Plateau

Posted on August 12, 2011 by


That’s Gary Garren riding his Honda 90 on Buck Trail atop Uncompahgre Plateau near Montrose, Colorado. (Gary has a great sense of humor!)

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Sideroads: Three Between Corkscrew and Hurricane Passes

Posted on August 10, 2011 by

The view from point e

This view, taken from Point E on the map, shows Corkscrew Pass and Points A and B


Last July 22nd, a Friday, I set out to travel some high-country sideroads. Here are three more, all between Corkscrew (San Juan CR 11) and Hurricane Passes (San Juan CR 10). The views are spectacular, as seen above from my perch at Point E. Since there are lots of points involved, I’ll go straight to the GPS map, with other photos to follow. Continue reading →

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Ouray CR 4 Roughed Up By Recent Rainstorms

Posted on August 9, 2011 by

Ouray CR 4

Rough stretch on Ouray CR 4

After dinner I hopped on the XT-250 and went up Ouray County Road 4. I went over it last week and found that the recent torrential downpours had wreaked havoc with the road. This evening I found that the county has dragged the road, which has cut down on rough spots and filled in some of the ruts, but not everywhere as the photo shows. The road in the photo is steep and the water, which should find the ditches on either side of the road, instead overwhelmed the ditches and spilled onto the road, cutting it up. All the gravel and dirt roads around here are the same.

Now, it’s a good thing that the county has dragged CR 4, 4B, and 2. But…when they drag it (you can see the rake marks) it rakes up dirt which turns rather powdery. Further, it rakes up small rocks. Riding over this is not so fun because Continue reading →

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Sideroads: Brown Mountain—Spectacular Views

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

Brown Mountain

That's Brown Mountain,so-called because it's, well, brown, set amidst alpine beauty.


Continuing the sideroads theme, the road to Brown Mountain (Ouray County Road 20) takes off from the same place as Corkscrew Pass Road. There are lots of roads in this area—if you follow my GPS track (below), you’ll find yourself way up the west side of Brown Mountain with some truly spectacular views. The photo above shows Continue reading →

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