Springtime In The Rockies 31Mar16

As you perhaps saw on FB, Wilks and I scored some in-bounds and some backcountry during the recent storm. We skied Beaver Ck as it had good snowfall. But on the way to the slopes, descending Vail Pass into Eagle Co, I got a flat when I picked up a chain link I think. It was snowing and icy and changing the flat was sketchy without more shoulder - I could feel the trucks right off my shoes... sheesh. Undeterred we hit the slopes by ~9:15am and got Wilk's his buddy pass for $99. This was Tom's first ski outing since he broke his foot and had surgery - he did great and we skied all over BC - Grouse Mtn, Larkspur Bowl, Rose Bowl and Birds of Prey. Good day netted like 23K vert.

For day 2 of the storm I contacted DD who pointed us toward Rock Ck. Here we parked at the bottom of the hill and skinned up past the gate to the TH via the Rock Ck road... pretty easy and well used. We took the trail system to Boulder Lk (ok - part way) by using the Rock Ck trail and the Gore Trail through the Eagles Nest Wilderness... this was less used, more snowy and more undulating terrain (a number of herringbones or side-steps for me but TW went straight up). Tom had never telemarked before but was game to use my stuff and I used my new XCD gear. This was a great test for me and while Tom's full skin traction had him beat me on some ups, my glide was awesome on the reaches. NP, made it using the kicker skins. From the high point I was able to ski the trees and catch a number of new lines... woohoo.

And So It Begins In Earnest 28Mar16

It was a gorgeous day on the Arkansas River at the Pueblo Rez effluent. Flows were down a smidge from my last visit and the 350cfs was perfect for right now. The day would reach 70° and while I could've used more cloud cover for bug hatching, it helped me feel spring has truly arrived. I started at the Nature Center and was blank for the first hour but caught a passel of fish on the day after the water warmed a bit. Most fish were on midges but a couple took the RS2 - after seeing my first spring mayflies coming off spottily, I tied on my venerable BWO emerger and it didn't disappoint. I caught big fish and smaller ones but I did score a nice 21"er along with a others 17"-19". It wasn't too crowded but there were folks fishing at both NC and Valco areas. I saw fish on the redds in both spots. It felt great to catch some really nice fish again. The spawn is on, the BWOs (#18) are hatching, and the fish are hungry... Colorado is so cool.

Fishing Between The Storms 21Mar16

I caught some and I lost some on the PT including this 19"er - all rainbows. It was a nice 60+° day and I started at Nature Center then moved to Valco for lunch and the PM. Caught and lost bigger fish at Nature Center - not too crowded as the flows are fluctuating and fishing is tough - it was about ~500cfs and rising when I was there. It's still mainly midges and the red and KF style flies were the producers for me. I saw plenty of redds but no action on them - weird. Water was still pretty cold actually. This fishery is about to pop huge though I sense; when water warms a bit (Pueblo Rez if full to the brim now) and the spring BWOs start hatching in ~10 days fishing will be very good. I came back early to do a ride in COS on the SuperBike (and do errands like get the new bike built) before I head back to Summit to catch the next dump.

Ides of March 15Mar16

Missed you all, but 2 feet of new snow had me playing in Summit. Day 1 was shared with a few on Keystone's terrain and on top of 14" of new. Outback and the trees were spectacular on the pontoons. I exhausted myself on the day and could do little other than grab some TV after returning home (watched a season of Flaked by Will Arnett, last 3 episodes are worth the first 3). Though I did prepare another Thai-inspired halibut with baby bok choy seared with hot sesame oil and garlic. Day 2 with 9" reported at Breck were shred there but the snow was heavier than the first day and the wind was howling - especially at the top. Undeterred I skied TBar but ultimate found more shelter off 6, E and halfway load on the SuperConnect. Steep and deep and I should've brought the guns again but skied my "narrow" 105 Helixes this day. I did lose my skis several times in the white outs when moving so deep that skis did not float. Stopped at Broken Compass for a new Grapefruit IPA. Yeah - that second day shoveling is just the second foot since Mon night... Had to dig the spa out to repair the aching bod'.

Calm Before The Storm 12Mar16

Arrived in Summit after traffic-free, sun-filled and weatherless quick drive. Enjoyed a new Ninkasi Velocihopter on the deck while reading of DU's 1st NCAA skiing championship and just before a great early season lax game pitting DU (#2) against Notre Dame (#1). Sweet. Awaiting this week's 2 feet of snow!

DU wins but let ND come back from 7-2 in the 4th to tie 8-8 at end regulation. DU won faceoff and set a play in OT to win - guess who's #1 now and still undefeated? Tried a new Boulder brewery's (Vindication) Momentum IPA; decent.

Missing Axle Ride - 5Mar16

Today Jeff and I hit Oil Well Flats in Canon City. http://www.crankpedalers.com/mountain.html  Well Jeff mostly sat in the truck as he forgot his thru Axle, hence the title of the post. Amazing riding. Although the Fat Bike is probably not the right tool for the job, it was two tons of fun! I would say the trails there are as good as any I have ever ridden.

They don’t have the red rock scenery of Sedona, but it doesn’t suck at all as you can see. All the trails are purpose built mountain bike trails. The closest I can come to describing it is Prime Cut/Chutes and Ladders in Fruita and maybe some of the Lunch loops in GJ.  Pretty much all in the trees(Pinion/Juniper) and constant flow. There were no sucky spots. And the Temps were in the mid 60s and dry in early March.

I got in about 18 miles and I probably did 2/3rds of the trails at OWFs. There are also some other spots they have added and are working on more as you can tell from the above link.
Anticline and Tectonic Shift had some flowy spots and a few rocks to pop off of. Unconformity was higher up and in a burn area. Some steeper switchbacks but great views. The top part of Fracture is a flowy blast. High enough to keep the crowds down, it provides the perfect flow where you dont need to to touch the brakes, too much. I didnt have time to make it to Fire Canyon(The only Black rated trail) or to Island in the Sky which is supposed to be the some of the best and most scenic in the area.
Would be great to combo this with a day on the Ark also.