Check Check

I like to look around at the Earth's scenery.  I can gaze at the hillsides, maps, photos, etc. for hours.  Driving to places never gets old for me because I always am scanning the surrounding terrain looking at the trees, trails, mountains etc.  I always seem to find something I never have seen before in these observations.

A couple years ago I noticed this radio tower on the center peak below.

Here is a closer look at the radio tower.

A few weeks ago on a Friday night I was trying to figure out where I was going to ride the next morning.  My friends all had to ride later in the day or were out of town.  Then it hit me.  Why not finally make it up to the radio tower?  I pulled up the map I had studied many times looking at the dirt road switch backs climbing up the steep contours of the land.  This would indeed be a solo adventure.

Usually adventures like this need to be done solo or you risk ending friendships if the adventure turns sour.

I set out first thing in the morning just as is was light enough to ride so I wouldn't have to carry the extra weight of lights.  I was armed with two water bottles and a handful of food like Honey Stinger Waffles and Cliff Shot Bloks.

Just beyond the old mine the road turns into a very steep set of switch backs that are carved into the mountain like a scar.  Around the mine I quickly took a few pictures of the old shafts and equipment and kept on riding.

The door to the mine building was open and without entering the building you could see the old mine carts still suspended on the rails.

I find old mine sites and equipment very fascinating.  I only ever look and do not touch or enter any of the buildings or equipment.  Of course since everything is very old and unstable it would be unwise to enter such buildings and have them collapse or get damaged.

After a couple minutes it was time to get to the switch backs that can be seen from miles away in the valley below.  I was able to ride all the switch backs even though there was substantial water damage to the dirt road from the wet Spring and Summer weather we have experience.

At the top of the switch backs the dirt road mellows out a little straightens out going back into the canyon before starting another set of switch backs climbing you higher and higher.  I had made it once a couple years ago to this closed mine shaft.

It was then I realized that it would take a lot more time to reach the radio tower than I had before imagined.  Shortly after this closed mine shaft the dirt road becomes more rocks than dirt.  Loose rocks, small rocks, big rocks, annoying rocks, etc.; you name it all sorts of rocks.


The ride became, The Adventure.  Here you start to wonder should I really be continuing forward.  There was no more riding my bike.  I was pushing the bike up a very steep and loose rocky road.  Of course there were sections I would ride for a couple yards and then have to get off again and push.  Up, up, and up.


There were many times I was wondering, why am I doing this.  But I was determined to get to the top.  I needed to check this off my list of things I wanted to accomplish and I had already come so far.  I didn't want to climb this again.


I continued on the the rocky sections disappeared and I crested the top of the climb putting me out on a ridge line.  The mountain was covered with thick bushes, pines, and aspen trees everywhere.  I was amazed at how abruptly the hillside sloped downward in every direction.  I could see the radio tower off in the distance and could also see and remember in my mind there was another set of switch backs to climb up the backside of the mountain where the radio tower stands.  But hey I was riding my bike instead of walking it now so everything was better.


Just a little farther...


The last set of switch backs up to the summit were hidden in a grove up aspen trees.  The trees were so tall and densely packed into the mountainside that you couldn't see a the road from the distance.  I started to second guess the image recorded in my mind on how the road was supposed to climb to the summit.  I wondered if I was going to have to ride a long way farther than I had planned.


The road followed the mountain just as the map displayed while the trees shaded me from the dawning sun.  The hidden switch backs delivered me out onto a small saddle where there was a brilliant view.

A small ride along the ridge line and a couple more switch backs up to the tower.


And huzzah!  I made it!

I never noticed before from looking from the valley up that there was this helicopter pad next to the tower.  A rightfully so as I would not want to drive a truck up that road.  The helicopter would be much faster.

View from the Top looking West

View looking southwest

View to the North

View to the Northwest

A view South from the radio tower

View to the South

View to the Southeast

Goal accomplished!  The views were nice to behold.

I am sure I ruined a set of brake pads on the descent.  No place to get enough speed to enjoy the downhill.  You had to be on the brakes the whole time and gingerly navigating the loose shale rocks so they wouldn't pop up into your frame.

3:07 total time elapsed

19.8 miles

9100 max elevation

4380 feet ascended

20.2% max gradient

So now that I have been to the top would I take a bike there again you ask?

No.

One time was enough.

"It is only an adventure the first time."

- Dan Z.