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To Kenosha Pass, Colorado

sfarson

sfarson

New member
Intentions were to ride to nearby South Park on the other side of Kenosha Pass. It is a wild winter in the Park. High winds have closed Hwy 285 17 times this season, creating ground blizzards, removing roads as if a giant hand took a small jar of White Out and blotted out the dark lines.

As I approached the Pass warning signs noted high winds and icy roads. My fingertips observed temps were dropping as well. Made it to the top and south side of the Pass.

Here's the location:
baileykenosha.jpg


Below is where I stopped and went no farther. After recording a brief clip (at the end of the ride video), and snapped the photo, the fingertips seem to turn instantly into ice cubes. 30f and 40-50 mph winds. Hustled to the bike, turned around, and got out of there, back to the balmy 45f temps at lower elev.!

The onboard ride vid is essentially a climb from 7,500ft to 10,000ft. Barbara Higbie on the piano accompanies...

To Kenosha Pass - Streaming Video

What appears to be clouds hovering over the peaks is mostly snow blowing off of them.
r1200rtkenosha.jpg
 
Beautiful ride to Kenosha Pass

Thanks a lot. I used to live in Denver, and that ride was always one of my favorites. Watch the police farther up the road in Alma. Have a burger and a beer at the Buck Snort Inn for me.
Bob
 
Thanks again for another great ride Steve.. I was in Crested Butte/Almont last week.. Haven't seen that much snow in quite sometime.. Over 250" had fallen this winter so far.
 
Thanks everyone. A sweet early spring ride in conditions "enhanced" from being out in the open on two wheels!

snoone... The Denver papers have published Crested Butte images showing snow levels to the gutters. Nomadic... you know the area well! I'll be sure to have a burg at the Bucksnort for you!

Good riding in '08!
 
US285 has been a challenge (understatement!)

Steve,

Out of curiosity, at what time did you ride up Kenosha Pass?

For those that have not heard, Park County (home of South Park, Bailey, Jefferson, Alma, etc.) had snow drifts SO deep (mostly due to drifting) that the county declared a 'State of Emergency'. Road crews from neighboring counties helped clear snow drifts that were as high as 25 feet (yes feet!). While it's become easier to navigate the county roads, the spring winds will likely kick up more snow, and coupled with spring thaw and re-freezing can make two-wheel travel very dicey.

BTW, Steve, we finally made it to our cabin on Indian Mountain. While we didn't have huge drifts, the drive there (in our 4-Runner) and back was a nail-biter in spots; quite the contrast to the north side of Kenosha.

Regards,

Mike O
 
Steve, thanks for the great ride report!



snoone said:
Thanks again for another great ride Steve.. I was in Crested Butte/Almont last week.. Haven't seen that much snow in quite sometime.. Over 250" had fallen this winter so far.
Click to expand...

I cant wait to see Gothic and all the flowers next year!

BTW Snoone, check out Copper lake above Gothic 6 miles up. Be sure and bring your 00 gnats!
 
Kenoshee Pass

Thanks Steve. I liked the part about riding through the blowing snow the best.

I looked up the Bucksnort, and have put that on the must visit list for September. I wouldn't have found that little gem.

Rinty
 
mikeod said:
Steve,

Out of curiosity, at what time did you ride up Kenosha Pass?

For those that have not heard, Park County (home of South Park, Bailey, Jefferson, Alma, etc.) had snow drifts SO deep (mostly due to drifting) that the county declared a 'State of Emergency'. Road crews from neighboring counties helped clear snow drifts that were as high as 25 feet (yes feet!). While it's become easier to navigate the county roads, the spring winds will likely kick up more snow, and coupled with spring thaw and re-freezing can make two-wheel travel very dicey.

BTW, Steve, we finally made it to our cabin on Indian Mountain. While we didn't have huge drifts, the drive there (in our 4-Runner) and back was a nail-biter in spots; quite the contrast to the north side of Kenosha.

Regards,

Mike O
Click to expand...

Mike O... good to hear from you! Indeed, a serious winter in the Park. Thus I've been reluctant to head that way this winter. The ride of this post was from two days ago. Thought I could make it all the way to Fairplay and past but if one looks at the image above and the road conditions ahead, it would not have been a ride of tranquility! Thus I stopped. Even on the return I pulled over to the shoulder and let following traffic pass so I could slowly ride through slush caused by the blowing wind. Glad you made it to your place. Let's connect for a ride this year.

Steve
 
redclfco said:
Steve, thanks for the great ride report!





I cant wait to see Gothic and all the flowers next year!

BTW Snoone, check out Copper lake above Gothic 6 miles up. Be sure and bring your 00 gnats!
Click to expand...


redclf... Gonna a bumper crop of wildflowers, wild flowing streams, and white scenic beauty this summer.
 
rinty said:
Thanks Steve. I liked the part about riding through the blowing snow the best.

I looked up the Bucksnort, and have put that on the must visit list for September. I wouldn't have found that little gem.

Rinty
Click to expand...

Rinty, anyone, do make this ride if you can. A fine and memorable one, up a historic and narrow rock canyon, with a destination to boot. Did make a recording to the Bucksnort two winters ago in case interest. Mary Chapin Carpenter accompanies...

To Sphinx Park & The Bucksnort Saloon - Streaming Video
 
Steve,

I got a performance "warning" back in July of '05 from a CHP officer at the very spot your RT's parked. I was headed to Breckenridge at the time.

Did you see many CHP dudes during your ride??:whistle
 
spanky said:
Steve,

I got a performance "warning" back in July of '05 from a CHP officer at the very spot your RT's parked. I was headed to Breckenridge at the time.

Did you see many CHP dudes during your ride??:whistle
Click to expand...

Ha! Coincidently, I was on a group ride with a rider on an RT getting a ticket near the same location... I think it was back in July '05, and he was from Colorado Springs. ;)
 
thanks

Steve, once again, thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of your report. But, I have to ask, at 10,000 feet, 30 degrees, and 40mph winds, is there so much salt/sand on the road that ice isn't an issue??? The video really shows how the sun can really mask what the road surface is like. Salt residue and ice can look identical.
 
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