My Two Schillingsworth: CO: Silverton

June 26, 2021

CO: Silverton - Brooklyn Gulch

We were sitting around camp on Friday evening tossing around ride ideas for the following morning. The forecast wasn't looking too bad, so we had hope of making it high into the alpine. Hmmm, why not try a re-do of our Brooklyn Gulch ride? Sure. It didn't take long to all agree and it was set. We'd rise again at 6a and hope to beat the now daily storms.

This was also the day I'd be heading south to Durango after the ride, so I packed up camp early.

Thick trees, flat ground and 9800'.

Blue sky!! And fog in the valley.

We made another stop for coffee in town before making our way up to our roadside pullout. This time we opted to at least ride around the parking area before pointing our bikes skyward. A two minute warm-up is better than no warm-up, right? Right.

Eszster leads the charge.

To the sky we go.

The San Juan Mtns. have a way of making you look and feel tiny. Photo by Eszter

The skies were holding as the peaks tickled the clouds. Photo by Eszter.

Eszter's photo perch below Brooklyn Mine.

Colorful peaks of the San Juans. Anvil Mtn. on the right.

Scott slows it down for a look around.

It was somewhere around here where I too had to give the legs a break and walk for a couple of minutes. It had been a fairly unforgiving grade from the get-go and I was thrilled to make it this far without stopping.

Some of the named peaks as we creep towards 12,000'. PeakFinder app.

The Colorado Trail hugs the left side of Rolling Mtn.

A little relenting on the climb with some rollers.

Any time I ride with these two, it's going to be memorable. Today was no exception.

Oof. I couldn't muster the power to conquer this pitch. Note: Eszter is strong!!

Where are those partly sunny skies we were seeing in the forecast??

Looks like packing our rain gear anyway was a wise choice.

Snowbank at 12,000'. I hoped my front brakes would get me safely off the mountain.

A bit more climbing to do first.

The Million Dollar Hwy, US550, far below.

Scott and I framed by Anvil Mountain & Eszter's keen eye.

There were hints of blue sky, but it never really materialized. Photo by Eszter.

The climb eventually tops out around 12,200'.

Time for the downhill!! And the puffy jacket, you guys brought yours, right? No?!? :)

Yeehaw!!

My marginal brakes were liking the occasional ease in the grade.

First sign of civilization on the way down.

St. Paul Lodge & Hut is available as an Air BnB.

Scott was waiting here as I came screaming around the corner...

Runaway bike ramp?? Coming in hot!! Yeah, I used it & cooled off my rotors.

I think I'd pass on filtering the two-toned pond below the mine. Just sayin'.

The fine print: 'Hikers, skiers & bicyclists are welcome in all areas except near structures' Sounds good to me.

We popped out on US550 a bit below Red Mountain Pass, nothing but downhill cruising back to the car.

Scott & Eszter may have been a little chilly on the descent, but at least it didn't rain. The sun may have stayed hidden all morning, but it really didn't matter as we could see plenty of distant peaks. Thanks for the fun route. I wonder where our paths will cross next?