Ending the summer with a bang - a crash, a fire, and a lake cruise

This Labor Day weekend camping trip was peppered with several highs and lows, including crashing a bike, pontooning across a windy lake, swimming in a river stream, and returning home to a raging forest fire.

Six of us from a Colorado cycling club camped at the Arkansas Point Campground in an assortment of tents, motorhomes, and trailers at Lake Pueblo State Park, a 4600-acre reservoir just west of Pueblo, Colorado.  Turns out the T@B's A/C option was a worthwhile investment, especially this scorching weekend.

Afternoon highs pushed close to 100.  So, after biking and soaking our paws in a cool stream that flows out of the reservoir, it was a real treat to be able to escape to a cool spot in the T@B for an afternoon siesta during the hottest part of the day.   This high desert plain is a land of extremes though.  The evenings cool off very quickly, and it is not uncommon to run the A/C during the day and the furnace at night.

Minutes before the gymnastic flip

The weekend had a few challenges, including when a friend visiting from New York, somersaulted over the handle bars on a loose, rocky incline during a single track ride the first day.  He landed on his shoulder and suffered scrapes literally from head to toe.  Fortunately, New Yorkers are a tough lot, and he was no worse for the wear except for sporting a few new badges of honor (a.k.a. bruises and scrapes)  that are sure to make good conversation fodder when he returns home to his office.

I had my own cycling issues too, but they were more painful to my pocketbook than my body.  When we started out the first day, I didn't even make it to the trail before discovering a badly bent chain ring.  It was soon clear that there was no way I would be able to ride the trails without getting it repaired.  So I headed into town to a bike shop to get it fixed and ended up leaving the store with a whole new bike!  This turned out to be my most expensive camping trip to date.

Cliff jumping

On Sunday we were joined by a few extra members who hooked up with us for the day.  The group rode the trails in the morning, and then for something completely different, we rented a pontoon boat at the marina for an afternoon "cruise" on the reservoir.  It was a great way to beat the heat and cool off on the choppy lake waters.  I had fun playing "ship captain" for a few hours as we leisurely explored the many coves and cliff enclosed inlets.     We also enjoyed watching water skiers, tubers, jet skiers, and even some cliff jumpers making the most of this Labor Day weekend.

Pontooning on the Lake

It would have been an almost perfect holiday, except that when we returned home to Boulder, Colorado, the skies were darkened by what seemed to be storm clouds.  As we got closer though, we realized we were seeing dark smoke from a large forest fire that was raging in the mountains to the west.  That evening I could see flames on the mountainside and the skies glowing red from more than 20 miles away.   As of this writing, a day and a half after the fire started, it is still 0% contained, has doubled in size to over 7000 acres, and almost 100 structures and homes have been burned.  Fortunately, there have been no reports of injury or loss of life.

Large fire west of Boulder, CO

So, another Labor Day passes, and in spite of the bike crash and forest fire that bookended the holiday, we had a great time enjoying the Lake, friends, food, cycling, boating, and star gazing.  There is just something about getting out of your every day routine, exploring new territory and taking on new adventures, that is good for the spirit and the soul.  The T@B continues to be a great little camper that makes getting out and enjoying the outdoors a little easier and more comfortable.  I am already looking forward to the next trip!


If you go:

Lake Pueblo State Park is located 125 miles south of Denver. The park requires an $6/day vehicle pass + camping fee ($20/night). The Arkansas Point Campground has paved pads (many of them are pull throughs), electrical hookups, picnic shelters, and fire rings. There are flush toilets, laundry, and pay shower facilities ($.50 for 3 minutes) on site. There are fresh water spigots scattered throughout the campground, but no water/sewer hookups at individual sites.

Pontoon boats can be rented at the South Shore Marina, which is adjacent to the Arkansas Point Campground.   Cost was $165 for a half day, 20' rental that seated 8 people.  Other pricing information and details can be found on the marina's rental page.

South Park, Colorado

Lodgepole Campground

As summer begins to wind down in Colorado, I'm trying to make the most of the few remaining camping opportunities.   This past weekend I took a trip with a cycling club to the South Park Colorado Basin.   Although, these days, the area is probably best known for giving its name to the animated TV series South Park, it is also a great camping, fishing, hiking, and cycling destination.

Moose Sighting

This 1000 square mile grassland basin is located  60 miles SW of Denver at about 10,000 ft.   We camped near Jefferson, Colorado, at the Lodgepole Campground in the Pike National Forest.    This is a heavily forested area near streams and bogs, and on our first night, during a hike at dusk, we spotted a moose just a few hundred yards from our campsite.

The second day we were up early and rode the Gold Dust Trail that started at Boreas Pass.   This is my first year back on a mountain bike, and it is taking me a while to get the knack of riding the rocky trails and dodging the trees and bushes that seem to fly past even when I am white knuckling the brakes.  These downhill rides are a thrill, and the scenery is spectacular (when I'm not watching the rocks and stumps zip by).  The ride ended at Como, Colorado, where they were celebrating "Train Days".  So, we took in a tour of an old railroad round house and a slide show of the area's train history.  

Railroad Round House

The first day was all down hill, so the second day we stepped it up a notch and did an in/out ride from our campsite up to Georgia Pass and back.  This was a heart pounding, lung beating work out, especially as we approached the top of the pass and the Continental Divide nearing 12,000 oxygen deprived feet.    It was all worth it though - the views were incredible and diverse as we rode through tundra above treeline,  and then down through lodgepole forests, aspen groves, and shrub meadows.

View from near Georgia Pass

The weekend did not disappoint, and as we begin to see the first hints of the changing seasons, I'm already starting to sketch out tentative camping plans in the hopes of a long and warm Autumn.  With the many large stands of aspen groves in this area, South Park would also make a colorful Fall destination whether it be a day trip or an overnighter.

More photos are available here.

If you go:

The Lodgepole Campground is one of 3 primitive camping facilities located about a mile from Jefferson Lake.  There are 35 sites, a pump spigot for drinking water, and pit toilets.   There is no electricity nor showers at this campground.   Elevation is 9,900 feet, so expect chilly nights (it dropped to below 40 degrees during our stay), but it warms quickly once the sun comes out.  You can reserve a site through the recreation.gov website.  There is a one time $5 charge to enter the Jefferson Lake Recreation Area and daily camping rates are less than $15.  There is a small grocery at a convenience store in Jefferson where you can replenish camping supplies and purchase snacks.  Many more services are available in Fairplay, less than 20 miles from the campground.

If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

Checking out the furnace at Camping World

Sometimes it is better just to leave things well enough alone.  

On our last camping trip I *thought* the TAB's furnace wasn't working quite the way it should.    Even though it produced hot air and the blower was running as expected, the furnace burner kept cycling off and on before reaching the set temperature.  I reasoned that the burner should keep running until the wall thermostat shut it down.

Long story short - I asked around on the web and even called a couple RV repair shops. Everyone agreed that the furnace wasn't behaving as it should.  So, I took it in for repair at Camping World.  A couple days later I get a call and they tell me that the furnace is working as designed.   Turns out the burner is suppose to cycle off after it reaches 180 degrees internally and then start up again after it cools.  This is a safety feature so the furnace doesn't overheat.

So, live and learn I guess.   Gas to tow the T@B to Camping World, $10.   Cost to diagnose,  $80.   Peace of mind that the furnace is working properly, priceless.

Bike trip to Fraser, Colorado

We did a bit of mountain biking, hiking, and sightseeing this weekend in the Fraser Valley near Winter Park, Colorado, and on the way home we took the scenic route through Rocky Mountain National Park over Trail Ridge Road - the highest continuously paved highway in the U.S.

Counting on good weather is always a risky proposition in the mountains, and this trip we got a mixture of rain and sun, dramatic clouds rolling over the mountain peaks, a downpour on the drive home, and displays of some spectacular rainbows. We lucked out though and had beautiful weather while hiking/biking, albeit on somewhat muddy trails.

We camped at the St. Louis Creek Campground just outside of Fraser. Fraser is at 8500' and is known as the "Icebox of the Nation" with an annual mean temperature of only 32.5 degrees F, making it the coldest incorporated town in the Lower 48 states. Fortunately, the summer temperatures are well above that, but it can get pretty chilly at night. The T@B's heater was definitely put to good use, although we did have some issues keeping it running - a problem I am going to have to solve before the next outing.

If you go:

St. Louis Creek Campground is within the Arapaho National Forest and is popular with mountain bikers for its proximity to a web of trails. There are 15 first come first serve sites and cost is $14 per night. The campground has no electricity, but there are 2 well-cleaned vault toilets and 1 hand pump water spigot. This area was once beautifully forested with lots of privacy between sites. Unfortunately, the pine beetle infestation has hit this area in epidemic proportions over the past few years, and forest officials have had to chop down every pine tree in the campground. On the upside, on a clear night you will get a full view of the star-filled sky and unhindered views of Byers Peak during the day. There is no shade though, and the campground has a desolate feel to it in my opinion. Personally, I'll probably choose a different campground next time I stay in this area.

The campground is just 5 miles from Fraser where you will find a Safeway Supermarket and hot showers for only $3 at the Fraser Valley Recreation Center.

Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful detour with windy, hair pin turns and outstanding views in every direction. The park entrance fee in 2010 is $20 per automobile for seven consecutive days or $40 for an annual pass.

Hiking, Biking, and Camping at Buffalo Creek

Buffalo Creek in the Pike National Forest is tucked away in the mountains, not far from Denver, and offers many activities like hiking, biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, and camping. Although nearby areas have been ravaged by forest fires in recent years, beautiful scenery abounds and signs of recovery are plentiful. Camping in this area was a good reminder to me how utterly devastating forest fires can be and how important it is to exercise caution when building a campfire.

The first day I hiked 6 miles through Cheesman Canyon along the South Platte River up to the Cheesman reservoir. This area is known for its world class fly fishing and incredible beauty. The crystal clear waters meander around gigantic, house-sized boulders that fill the canyon. After an hour or so of hiking, the icy mountain stream was a perfect place to soak my tired and dusty feet. The 3-mile trail ends near the reservoir, and you can either hike back the way you came, or take a shorter, but much less scenic route, by making a loop and following a road back to the trail head.

A little too much sun

The second day I hooked up with some cycling friends, and we tackled the single track trails that run through mountain forest, over hills, and along streams. I love getting out and riding these trails. It is great exercise, lots of fun, and dodging rocks and ruts in the downhill sections of the trail offers a great adrenaline rush.

At the end of the day, a few of us trekked up to the Bucksnort Saloon, a quirky and rustic restaurant perched above a rushing stream on a dirt road not far from Pine, CO. It is off the beaten path, but the drive alone is very scenic and well worth the detour. The walls and ceiling of the Buck Snort are literally covered with graffiti and small currency, signed and left by patrons from around the world. It is a great place to grab a giant burger and a beer after a ride in the mountains.

More photos of the weekend are available here.

If you go:

Buffalo Creek is about 50 miles SW of Denver. I camped at one of the many turn offs along Forest Road 550 in the Pike National Forest. It was an unimproved site without any amenities (water, electricity, toilets) but was great for privacy with a lot of distance between camping neighbors. Since it is close to the road though, you will hear traffic and sometimes the road dust kicks up. If you can, I'd recommend getting a reservation at one of the nearby National Forest campgrounds.

The hike up Cheesman Canyon starts a few miles west of Deckers, CO, just off hwy 126. You can also pick up fishing supplies and snacks in some of the shops at Deckers.

The trail head for the mountain bike trails at Buffalo Creek is near the intersection of Buffalo Creek Road and CO Hwy 126.

Highline Lake State Park - May 2010

I camped at Highline Lake State Park near Loma, CO, this past weekend. The campground is very near some excellent singletrack cycling trails and also just a few miles from the Colorado National Monument - a landscape filled with towering rock spires and vast red rock canyons.

The first day we tackled the single track trails on the Kokopelli Loops near Fruita, CO. These rides follow the Colorado River as it cuts through a canyon and offers fantastic views from the rim. I'm not an advanced singletrack rider, so negotiating the hairpin turns and rocks of every shape and size while at the same time trying to take in the scenery was pretty challenging for me. Some of the trails were pretty rough, and while descending one particularly bumpy trail, I lost my cell phone when it must have bounced out of my backpack. Fortunately it was found by another rider later. However, when I went to pick it up, I got the directions to their home mixed up and ended up on the wrong side of town. Later, at camp I spilled a container of antipasta for dinner, then I spilled my beer, etc. In retrospect, with the way my luck was going, I'm surprised I didn't pedal off a cliff during the ride!

We had quite a bit of rain overnight, so instead of cycling the second day I explored the Colorado National Monument, which I have passed so many times on the way to other places and never bothered to stop. I was glad I did this time. The Colorado National Monument is a little-known 20,000 acre area in Western Colorado filled with soaring cliffs and deep canyons. A 23-mile road wraps around the rim of the canyon offering spectacular and dramatic vistas at every turn. There are many opportunities to pull off and take pictures or have a picnic. The area also has many hiking trails which I hope to come back and explore some day soon.

More photos of the trip are available here.

If you go: The campground at Highline Lake is off the beaten path, but still easy to get to if you happen to be traveling in Western Colorado. It is just a few miles off Interstate 70 near the Utah border. The campground has water at most sites, but no electricity. There are pay showers, flush toilets, laundry, and a dump station. Cost in 2010 is $16 per night + a daily $6 park pass for your vehicle. The park also offers boating and a swimming beach. We saw lots of wildlife including a great horned owl, seagulls, cranes, and even beavers. There are many birds in the area, and the mourning doves are particularly prevalent - be prepared for their morning reveille at very early hours.

Lake Pueblo Mountain Biking Trip

We camped at Lake Pueblo, Colorado on this first trip of the season. I was anxious to discover if everything still worked on the camper after sitting unused in storage for 5 1/2 months. Fortunately, there were no issues, although it was still too cold at night to test the water pump. The heat and electrical systems all checked out okay though - hopefully a good omen for the rest of the season.

This was my first time camping in this area, and it turned into a real adventure as we explored miles of single track biking at this scenic Colorado state park. We camped at the Arkansas Point Campground, and joined several friends on this Easter weekend mountain biking trip.

The landscape is a rocky, dry, canyon area that has been dammed to create a reservoir that is enjoyed by boaters and fishermen. Cactus sentinels guard the limestone cliffs that rise dramatically out of the high desert, and Pikes Peak is ever present on the distant horizon.

Miles of mountain biking trails surround the area, crossing deep gorges, following the shore line, and rising over high cliffs. At times, it sounded like we were riding across broken glass as we biked through dry stream beds that are littered with sharp, broken shale. I was certain I was going to end up with a flat tire miles from camp, and so I was constantly checking to make sure my tire pressure was still good. Everything turned out okay, but carrying an extra tube and pump is advised. In many places the trails became rocky and steep, challenging even the most seasoned cyclists in our group. It is a fantastic landscape with views at every turn of the trail.

Saturday was very windy, so instead of grilling out over the camp fire for dinner, we opted for some local Mexican cuisine and margaritas in Pueblo. If you are in the area, I recommend Mi Ranchito just a short distance from the campground.

It was a wonderful trip, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Although the weather was comfortable during the day, I'm looking forward to returning later in the season when it is warmer and checking out the many options for swimming and boating.

Many more pictures of this trip can be found here.

If you go:

Lake Pueblo State Park is located 125 miles south of Denver. The park requires an $8/day vehicle pass + camping fee ($20/night). The Arkansas Point campground has paved pads (many of them are pull throughs), electrical hookups, picnic shelters, and fire rings. There are flush toilets, laundry, and pay shower facilities ($.50 for 3 minutes) on site. Although when we visited, there was no hot water - (exhilarating!). There are fresh water spigots scattered throughout the campground, but no water/sewer hookups at individual sites. Firewood can be purchased at the campground entrance.