Destination - Grand Lake, Colorado

We headed west from Denver up I-70. It was cool, but not cold. Maybe in the 40's. Then we exited on US 40. We climbed up this road until we hit Berthoud Pass (11,307 feet, 3447 meters), affectionately referred to as Big Berthoud. It was 9 degrees and the wind was blowing. This is also the continental divide.Once through the pass and the towns of Winter Park and Granby, we took US 34 north to Grand Lake; our destination. It was night when we arrived. This was about a 2.5 hour trip.

Here are some fun facts about Grand Lake:

• It has one of the largest snowmobile trail systems in the state. Trails are designated specifically for cross-country or for snowmobile use. With more than 300 miles of trails of which 150 are groomed,Grand Lake is the "Snowmobile Capital of Colorado
• The village sits on Grand Lake overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest natural lake; elevation 8369 feet.
• The west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is about 1-1/2 miles from the town of Grand Lake on US Hwy 34.
• Population is 447
• Rocky Mountain National Park includes the Continental Divide and the headwaters of the Colorado River in its land area.

So, the next morning I snapped this picture. This is prior to going on my first snowmobiling excursion.

Here are pictures of the cabin we stayed in

Notice how thick the snow is on the roof.

Time to get changed up and ready to ride. Just need a jacket, gloves and a helmet now. Stylin!

Last picture I got before we took off. I didn't ride either of these sleds.

We cruised around on some trails, then we dropped into this meadow for a food and beverage break. The views were breathtaking. It was relatively flat here as well. I got my sled up to 60 mph; the fastest I'd go on the trip.

Tammy and me in the meadow and the sled I rode for the weekend.

Then we moved on. There is a decent sized hill called Little Chicken. It was a little freaky. Mind you, this is my first time riding. Views from atop Little Chicken.

Another Break in the riding.

This is actually all of the pictures I got while riding. I was a little pre-occupied. We rode again the next day (Saturday). There was a couple really good riders jumping off of cliffs, dropping about 20-25' onto the slope below. One kid, Mikey, was on top, looking for a place to jump. You have to use your imagination here. The top had an overhang of snow about 4' thick and about 6' out. Mikey stomped his foot down to mark a spot and the whole overhang gave way. He was clawing onto the falling snow as he was falling, like a cat that just fell out of a tree. He was ok as he landed on the snowy slope 25' below. I have never seen anything that funny in my entire life. He must've shat himself.

Between Friday and Saturday we rode 80-100 miles. We did lots of other things like go to some friends cabin to watch the Broncos beat the Patriots with 50+ other people. We hung out at the local bar (The Lariat) and watched the locals ... or let them watch us. Whatever.

COMING HOME

This series of pictures were taken on Monday as we were leaving the cabin.

Looking up the street:

Looking down the street

On the drive down, there were some good views.

An avalanche chute

A frozen waterfall in Idaho Springs, right off of the freeway.

Maps of Grand Lake

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Some other neat pictures and facts

Creek to river an excerpt from Drought diminishes river
At the headwaters of the Colorado River, in the high Rockies, the water is all virgin flow, runoff from the snow that falls all winter. The Colorado begins in a remote part of the Never Summer range, fed at first by uncountable little streams and rivulets that finally take form as not much more than a creek.

Nearly two miles above sea level, above even the tree lines, you can wade across the Colorado. Stand still long enough and you can hear all the little streams trickling down. The water is cold and clear, nothing like the angry red rapids as the more mature river leaves the state.