Glacier Gorge is about as iconic as it gets in Colorado. This sweeping cirque contains enough high peaks, lakes, trails, and precipices to serve as a front range ‘home base’ for a lifetime. It’s little wonder that this was the spot chosen long ago to serve as the beating heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been here. Encompassing anything from thrilling rock climbs up The Sharkstooth to family walks around Bear Lake, there’s enough variety to easily justify coming back time and time again. But in spite of all those trips, I still had a bit of unfinished business along the divide. Keep Reading…
Dave and I have been eyeing this one for a few years now. Finally found a weather and PTO window to get it done. Kevin joined with his full suspension Yeti MTB. Dave was sporting his Trek Domane SL5 loaner (due to biblical seatpost issues with his brand new SL5) with 32’s and then myself breaking in my brand new Canyon Grizl CF SL7 with beefy 45’s.
We parked at the free parking structure right on the east end of town where the gapers pick up the shuttles to go up Trail Ridge. Picked up Fall River by the Stanley and soon enough were at the entrance station. You don’t need a reservation, but you do need to pay. It’s $15 per rider. Keep Reading….
The Mummy Mania Traverse (aka the Mummy Kill, aka the Mummy Marathon) is one of those routes that had been on my list for years and years, but I had just never gotten around to actually doing it. I neglected it for so long, in fact, that it sort of took on a life of its own in the time I ignored it. What was once an obscure, all-day challenge in a remote area of the park has turned into somewhat of a classic the past few years. Keep Reading…
Longs Peak is a special mountain. That’s obvious to say, but every time I go up there, I’m reminded of why this one is the big poppa in Colorado. It’s only two hours from Denver. It’s the peak biggest in the Park, by far. It has over a hundred routes to the summit; many of those are Colorado classics. It has enough variations to keep climbers, skiers, hikers, and mountaineers busy for years. Its legacy is about as rich as any mountain in the US. And of course, The Diamond is a world class wall that is worth every penny (or at least, so I’m told). Keep Reading….
