Brian and I decided to try and find a dry trail we could mountain bike on, and thanks to our friend/co-workers guidebook (Arkansas Valley Mountain Biking-by Mark Wolff) we were able to find a fantastic loop with beautiful scenery. This loop is just West of Granite, you actually turn West onto Lost Canyon Road from HWY 24, right by the convenient store/gas station in Granite. Then you drive until you see this sign 398-B and park in the triangular cutoff between the two dirt roads.
Then head West up the road, a nice warm-up climb and make sure you stay on the main road to the left.
This will be a beautiful ride in the Fall when the Aspen leaves are changing color!
As you wind around past the campsites and start heading North again keep your eye out for the CDT and CO Trail sign. This is where you turn right to get on the singletrack part of the ride!
There are several fallen trees to watch out for on the trail, so stay alert! You might also startle a turkey or two as you ride by, so don't be alarmed when you hear their flustered flapping wings.
Self-portrait taken about half way through, the East mountains toward Buffalo Peaks is behind me.
Here's Brian catching up after investigating a problem with his chain. The singletrack was fantastic, besides a few fallen trees, it was a very distinct groomed-like trail.
Our view to the Southeast toward Buena Vista and the distant Sangre de Cristos.
There were a few patches of snow along the trail we had to walk through, but overall the trail was really dry and ready for summer hikers and cyclists!
At one clearing in the trees we realized we could see our car way down below.
Below is one of the larger creek crossings, there were about three or four total, but for this one we definitely had to get off the bike to walk across.
We realized we were getting closer to Twin Lakes as we pedaled up a ridge and came upon this view and studied how the trail sketchily wound back down the North side of the ridge.
We could just start to see the lake through the dense trees, but had to focus on the steepening trail and watch for our abrupt right turn ahead.
Brian, waited for me to take a picture of this turn, so I could include it in my trip report for my work blog-The Trailhead Register. He's a patient and photogenic spouse!
A view of the new trail heading Eastbound beginning to loop back along the South end of the lake. There was a cool breeze wafting from the lake which made it a bit cool riding beneath the shady pines.
Looking West toward Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive we watched the storm rolling in toward Leadville.
The Columbines were blooming with several different shades of lavender! Pretty cool to see them this early in the year!
A not-so-fantastic panorama stitch job of the lake. But you get the idea.
The trailhead we rode out at the end of the lake and then proceeded along county dirt roads back to the car at 398-B. We highly recommend this trail to intermediate riders! Can't wait to hike it next year when we hike the CO Trail!
Oh, and this is a random picture from March I felt like throwing in of when Jenni and I got our hair done during one of our Girl's Weekends! Cheese!
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