It’s hard to break the town vortex while on the CDT. Even harder when you have good friends, and it’s 90 degrees out.
By the time we left ‘the boat’, we knew it was going to be dark at Strawberry Hot Springs. Not the ideal situation, having never been there before. The road was much steeper than anticipated, and we just made it through the entrace before they stop letting people in at 9:30pm.
We felt our way down to the pools and tried to figure out how best to get in. We ended up in the coolest pool first, then made our way up from there.
It was just the ticket to complete a day of relaxation in Steamboat. Just what tired bodies needed.
The twilight seemed to last forever. The starry night was big and deep. We didn’t want to get out.
The place was booked except for one campsite that was $55, so we grabbed some water and coasted out the backside of the resort, looking for a singletrack.
It started out with a chunky descent. Oh boy… what have we gotten ourselves into? An all night downhill hike through chunder, trying to find a place to camp?
I could barely ride, being nearly 11pm and thoroughly blissed and zonked out by soaking in the springs. Dizzy.
The trail turned smooth and contour, giving us a mile or so of nice riding until it opened up enough that two people could crash out for the night.
The night was warm, no mosquitoes.
In the morning, the day’s riding started as they all should — with primo dowhill singletrack. Ah. Trails that actual normal people ride. We’ve missed those.
The hot springs trail dropped us to highway 129, continuing our Wilderness detour which happily included the hot springs, on route.
A simple and cool morning’s ride took us to the Clark Store. Along with Bode’s in Abiquiu, Clark’s is the best restock resupply on the GDMBR. Luckily they are both on the CDTbike route.
We ate a delicious breakfast, checked in on the WiFi and loaded up with 3 days of provisions for the stretch ahead.
Seedhouse road took us back to the CDT, of course with a tailwind and a hot morning sun. The tailwind was welcome until it pitched up, then it was cooking us.
Coolness was found at the campground water pump (Seedhouse CG). The CDT went up from there.
Dan and Becky had set us up with low expectations for this stretch. Turns out the first miles are trail that normal people ride. We even saw such a mild mannered mountain biker out enjoying a pleasant spin.
So were we. Ah, bikes. Such a wonderful way to travel.
In Diamond Park the trail went from singletrack to ATV trail and the pattern from there on out was classic CDT style — ride the divide and tag every high point.
We both quite enjoyed it, until the last mile or two. It’s Sargents Mesa style of riding, but with one tenth the rubble. Half the climbs are rideable, the descents are fun and the flats are bliss. Yay for bikes again.
We got cooked when the sun was out, and were comfortable when it hid behind the clouds. The sun was so instense even at 9500′.
At a nondescript saddle my GPS indicated that it was time to leave the CDT and follow…. a closed road. Let the adventure begin!
At this point I’m not sure which is more adventurous — following the CDT and riding pieces no one has, or turning off it and exploring new Wilderness detours.
This closed road turned into a win. It was smooth and only closed to motorized traffic. Perfect CDTbike route.
It dropped us off the divide, where the trail continues with PUDs (pointless up and downs), into Hog Park. A graded road awaited us there, which we pedaled into the evening hours, finally stopping at a quiet car camping spot off the road.
We’re feeling it, though today did go easier/smoother than expected. Tomorrow we continue the detour to Battle Pass, and then explore the CDT all the way to Rawlins.
Oh yeah, I forgot that we crossed into Wyoming this evening! The border was not marked, only an open gate and fence signified it. We high fived and took a cheesy selfie. Bye bye Colorado — thanks for all the incredible riding!
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