400-Mile Ride into the Mountains, to see the last of the Fall Colors.

[Firehawk068]

Two weeks ago, on Friday the 2nd, I had the day off, the boys were in school, and it was gorgeous outside!
I didn't want to pass up one of the last good days to see some Fall-Colors in the High-Country.
Knowing I had the whole day to myself, I lubed the chain, checked the oil, gassed up the FJ and headed West into the Mountains!





















I turned off Interstate 70 at Copper Mountain, and headed south on the 91 towards Leadville.








I stopped to get fuel in Leadville. The Gentleman at the fuel station asked me if I was headed over Hagerman Pass (which is a dirt-road)?
I told him No, I planned to take Independence Pass. He said that both passes were socked-in with snow-clouds earlier in the morning, but they should be fine at this time.
I thanked him, and after topping off the tank, I headed South on the 24.



Along the 24, I stopped to take a few pictures of Mt. Elbert.
At 14,439 feet high, it is the tallest peak in Colorado, and the entire Rocky Mountain chain.
It is the 2nd highest peak in the "Lower-48" States, with Mt. Whitney (14,505 ft) in California being the highest.

You can see the very distinct (Tree-Line), where trees can no longer survive. In Colorado, this is usually somewhere around 11,500 feet above sea level.
I once listened to a Forest Ranger discussion on the subject, and learned that it has nothing to do with the thinner air at altitude. It mostly depends on the average temperature of the warmest month of the year (July). Below a certain temperature/climate threshold, trees simply cannot grow.









While heading down the 24 toward the turnoff to head west, I was looking toward the pass, and noticed some snow coming down in that general area.



Once I turned onto Highway 82, I made a quick stop at Twin Lakes.









I continued on toward the Pass, taking in the magnificent scenery, and soaking up the remaining bursts of color from the changing trees.









As the occasional gust of wind would blow them from the trees, the leaves danced with me for a moment as I whizzed by on the FJ.







As I drew closer to the Pass, the road started to climb more rapidly. I saw less Aspens, and mostly just Pine.













I made a few brief stops for some scenery pictures on the way up.













The road continued to wind it's way to the top of the Pass. I did catch a little bit of snow falling as I made the climb, but the road was warm enough for it to instantly melt.









I started the descent down the West side, to an equally spectacular view.









I passed by the ruins of what is left of an old mining operation along-side the road.





The road continued to wind it's way toward the town of Aspen, as the trees that give the town it's name became more plentiful. I knew that this is what I came for!





















I stopped at "The Grottos" day-use recreation area, along the Roaring Fork River, to get off the bike and walk around for a spell.















After stretching my legs for a bit, I continued on towards Aspen.
I made a few more stops in the glow of the golden Aspen trees.















When I arrived in town, I was plenty hungry, so I stopped in to eat at a place I'm familiar with. (there is a sister location in Parker)



I enjoyed some good BBQ Ribs, and even though it was slightly chilly, I sat outside to enjoy the beauty of the weather and the town.
I didn't mind a few Aspen Leaves in my food.










It was starting to get later in the day, so I made my way North out of town.
I rode through the towns of Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs on the 82 as I headed towards I-70.

Once I reached the Interstate, I decided to check out a place I had heard of. "Glenwood Canyon Resort"





Could be a possible "Future" Colorado Rally location. 
There are plenty of tent-sites and RV-sites, as well as tons of various cabins.
Anyway, I figured I would take a look since I was passing right by.











I slabbed it home to Denver via I-70, which really isn't that boring a ride through the mountains.
The day ended with just over 400 miles on the odometer, and me having fulfilled my desire to spend the day on the FJ. 

[big r]

Looks to be an awesome ride. Beautiful country, similar to the interior of B.C. Really nice pics. Big R

[giantkiller]

I don't know how you can stand to be surrounded by such ugliness. Can't Colorado do anything about straightening out some of those roads.

[Mark Olson]

nice ride Alan , Great pics ... 

[Steve_in_Florida]

Alan,
Yes, thank you for posting such beautiful pictures.

Those hills remind me of the Mt. Dora area of Florida.  Yeah. Uh huh.

steve

[Firehawk068]

Alan,
Yes, thank you for posting such beautiful pictures.

Those hills remind me of the Mt. Dora area of Florida.  Yeah. Uh huh.

steve

I bet.................What is that? 180 feet above sea level 
Does one get altitude sickness way up there?

[Steve_in_Florida]

I bet.................What is that? 180 feet above sea level 
Does one get altitude sickness way up there?

Let's just say that I don't have the issues with lean carb jetting that some do...   

Steve

[Derek Young]

Great pics Alan! Love the whole area around Aspen, especially Independence Pass. Hoping to go through there again next year either before or after the rally.

Derek

[Firehawk068]

Great pics Alan! Love the whole area around Aspen, especially Independence Pass. Hoping to go through there again next year either before or after the rally.

Derek

YES!

I drove the family up there the weekend before, to see the Fall Colors. They were better that weekend, more at their peak colors, but I still wanted to get out on the FJ and ride it.
We put the kids in the van in their PJs, loaded the dog, and drove up in the middle of the night.
We arrived at Maroon Lake just before morning. We huddled together on a blanket, and watched the amazing sunrise on the "Maroon Bells". It was spectacular!
If you want to drive your own vehicle up there, you have to arrive before 6:00am during peak season, otherwise you have to park in town and take the shuttle-bus to the lake, as the parking lot gets too crowded. It was well worth it!

[Mike Ramos]

Holy Toledo Alan!

Excellent report - concise & descriptive writing that enhances the outstanding pictures.

It is almost as if we are actually there - thank you for taking us along...

Mike Ramos.

[Pat Conlon]

So...that's what those signs mean:

Entering Colorful Colorado

Thanks Alan!

[FeralRdr]

I have got to go visit Colorado. 

Thanks for sharing good sir.  The beauty of your state is amazing.

[aviationfred]

Incredible scenery. Thanks for sharing. 

Can't wait to get back to the Colorado Mountains next June for the Colorado FJ Rally.

Fred

[Dan Filetti]

I've ridden on those same roads, on my FJ when I lived out that way.  Thanks for the memories!

Dan