Last weekend the weather in the high country was absolutely perfect for outdoor adventures; warm and sunny with no threat of rain or snow. I took full advantage of it, and on Saturday the dog and I went on a sweet MUni ride from the house. Then on Sunday, I decided to ride one of my favorite MUni singletraks down in the Glenwood Springs area, about a 40 mile drive from Aspen. The high elevation MUni is done for the year, so driving down valley gave me the option for some MUni single traking at a lower elevation.
I opted for the full loop ride; I had all day, and the weather was not giong to be a factor. I park the car at the end of the loop, 8th St. I chug my last 4 shot cup of White Mocha coffee down, in anticipation that the temperature will rise above 0 C, outside. No such luck, so off I go on the
29er searching for the sun on the other side of the valley, which thankfully is where the trail begins.
The early morning air is crisp and clear, and that Classic Colorado Blue sky is above me. The tree’s are ablaze in their fall colors as I ride upriver on the Rio Grande trail, in the valley floor. The Roaring Fork river is next to the trail here, it is trickling clean rocky mountain water towards its confluence with the Colorado River, just a mile or so down. About 4 miles, (6.5 Km’s) up the Rio Grande Trail I cross the Hwy and the real climb begins. Red Canyon road ascends steeply and steadliy, out of the valley floor. The views of the lower Roaring Fork valley seem exceptionally beautiful this morning. The climb eventually flattens out in Spring Valley, it is there where I meet two curious, but friendly dogs on the road. We exchange greetings, and I continue up the county road.
The ride suddenly became quite challenging: the road was paved with baby-heads! I chug up it, trying to keep my tire on the ground and my feet on the pedals, and after a few switchbacks it finally got smoother. Jeep roads disappeared into the scrub on all sides, but I stayed on the county road, heading for the start of FSR 408. I stop a couple of times to take in the world class views of the Elk Mtn’s and in particular, Mt. Sopris to the south. This mountian rises 7,000’, (2134 meters) up from the valley floor.
I pedal into the parking lot, where I find it full of trucks and trailers, ahhh sh…, it is hunting season. Luckily, my jersey has a little orange on the sleeves, not hunter safety orange, but it will have to do. 3/4 of the climb is over, and the ridgeline appears much closer, as I pedal higher and higher. My final climb destination is the summit of the South Rim of Glenwood Canyon, approximately 8,000’ in elevation, (2440 meters) The air temp has warmed nicely, and I have been in the sun for the last hour or so. I push really hard up this steep section, and am rewarded with the summit in the distance. The North Rim of Glenwood Canyon comes into view, as I reach the summit. Just over 2,400’ of elevation gain, (732 meters) to the summit.
It is now downhill time into the canyon, and the ruts on this descent are huge, challenging and sometimes treacherous. The trail swooped and curved, and the ruts threatened to eat the unicycle from under me. This is where the trail finding becomes difficult. If the wrong one is chosen, thousands of feet of unneeded climbing and miles of riding can lead to steep walled dead ends. I keep my eyes open for a small thread of singletrack on the left, and after a few minutes of thrilling descent I see it. Take a left here, and go approx. 3/4 mile to the start of the Scout Trail singletrak.
With sixty-foot high aspens, firs, spruce, pines and a lush understory all around, the woods felt like a different state entirely from the cool, sunny valley I’d started in. It was absolutely silent, green and had a very distinct Fall feel to the air. A sign at the fork pointed to the left, and said there would be seven more miles of singletrack to town. I chose that moment to start smiling real big.
From that sign until Glenwood Springs, the trail is a perfect joy to ride. It is buff singletrak, and very narrow. It soon becomes a traversal that winds in and out of gullies, with occasional exposure to steep drops on the right. It is forested for most of the way, protected from the heat, and is remarkably narrow and well-constructed. Yellow leaves slapped me in the face, low hanging branches grabbed my helmet, and occasional clearings exposed spectacular views of the stony cliffs of Glenwood Canyon. This trail is sometimes advertised as a ride along the top of the canyon, but it is not a barren trail on the edge of a cliff; rather, it is a wonderfully narrow trail through the woods. At times it is rainforestlike, then the inside corner righthander takes you to the sunny side of the valley and it becomes dry, dusty, and exposed to scrub oak. There are many times where a fall would not kill you, but injure you severly, probably after hundred of meters of being pinballed through the thick forest. Animals would most likely be the only ones to find you quickly, especially this time of year. I stop numerous times to take pictures and enjoy the moment. I have not seen anyone for hours.
Somewhere about two miles from town, the trail forks once more: I go right and pop out of the scrub onto a steep, dusty and occasionally rocky descent with superb switchbacks and some great views.
I am on guard for major exposure, since a previous ride on this trail appeared that a fall on this section of the Scout Trail could send the unsuspecting rider plummeting several thousand feet down into the Colorado River. After several switchbacks it became apparent that only a very determined flyboy could go off the hill that way, and only at one switchback in particular. Caution is warranted, because the dirt is loose and the slope is steep; but the exposure does not terrify like some exposures I’ve ridden, for instance Porcupine Rim in Utah. Views along this stretch are fantastic, you can see Glenwood Springs, No Name, and the Colorado River. I stop again to take more pics and enjoy the magical day. The only bicycle riders I see all day, pass at a tree down across the trail. A common theme prevails between them and I, huge grins from ear to ear!
After several more switchbacks and some great downhill action, the trail ends on Eighth Street, where my car is waiting for me. I am completely in joy at the MUni adventure that I just experianced. It confirms that this rates at the top of MUni adventures for me. It might still be good for a week or two, depending on how wet these next storms are. If not this Fall, then put it on your list for next Spring, it is a must ride:D
Here are some statistics and information from the epic ride.
—The Scout trail is hundreds of years old. It was the Ute Indians route to the sacred “yampah” hot springs, which now feeds the famous hot springs pool. Early Glenwood settlers led tourists up the trail to “Artist Point” to view the city below, majestic glenwood canyon, and the Colorado river. “Hubbards cave” can be reached by traveling further along the south rim of the canyon.
Trail Statistics
Length: 19.7 miles / 31.7km
Elevation Range: 5774 - 7860 feet / 1760 - 2396 meters
Elevation Traveled: 6048 feet (3024 up, 3024 down)
1834 meters (922 up, 922 down)
Time out: 4 hours 30 min
Moving time 3 hours 50 min
Average speed 5.12 mph / 8.27 Kms/hr
GB4 29er w/ shimano 170 cranks
Low temp 0 C / 32 F
High temp 55 F / 13 C
FUN METER RATING: 9.8 OUT OF 10
First pic is heading upvalley early morning
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