9: MacDonald Pass
The first 10 miles today were mostly on roads and mostly downhill—quick if not noteworthy miles. I missed the turn onto the CDT and continued another 1.5 miles on roads before returning to the trail. The trail returned to its isolated singletrack character, with some steep ups and downs, and a neat old railroad trussel (??) decaying into itself. Once back on the CDT, the pace slowed but remained pleasant to the fast descent from the radio towers down to MacDonald Pass.
The first 3 miles after MacDonald Pass have some significant rock gardens to test one’s skills and bravery. The next three miles would have been far more ridable if not for a bunch of downed trees. Upon reaching the burned area at Jericho Mountain the CDT turned into easy for the next 8 or so miles of mostly climbing, before turning off onto a newer and fun stretch of trail, Joe Bowers.
Joe Bowers would have been a nightmare if not for the recent chainsaw ministrations of some trail angel or agency staff. It was fun, lively riding, with many dozens of fresh sawdust piles along the way. Overall, I’ve passed more sawdust piles than downed trees on this trip—for which I’m so grateful.
Navigation is definitely proving tricky. A proper bike computer would help (I’m just using my running GPS), but the main issue is that the trail is marked for people who are walking.
Also grateful to have a tent on this trip. It has rained on me nearly every night and nothing beats a rainstorm while cozy inside a tent.
So far perhaps the one item I’ve brought along that I haven’t used is my headlamp!
Currently listening: The Ezra Klein Show
Current range: Boulder Mountains