Trans America Trail - 2008

 

Day 9 – from Salida, Colorado to Lake City, Colorado.

 

Miles: 121 (road distance as per GPS)

 

Hotel: Dodgy-Cabins-R-Us, Lake City, Colorado

 

Commentary:

 

This was one of the days that make a trip like this worthwhile. Although the passes that were outside Salida were still closed the ride over Monarch Pass was fantastic as was the rest of the Trail after Sargents, Co.

Speaking to the locals the day before had warned me that the passes were still snowed in so I got back on US50 and headed over the Pass. I think there was a point where I saw over 11,000 feet and it was cold! I stopped on the side of the road at the Ski area and put the fleece on under the Enduro jacket and changed to Ski gloves. The bike at that point was not liking it – being carburetted it was getting too much gas and was coughing and banging on full throttle. It would still pull 5^th on the climbs though.

               

 

At the top I stopped for a look and ran into a guy called Wolfgang Heineman, from Texas. He was up there on a 1983 Honda Goldwing, he had it loaded to the gills with everything but the kitchen sink and was doing the camping thing. We both nearly dropped the bikes on the ice that had formed from run-off the day before.

 

               

 

I took pics of him and his bike and he returned the favour. We chatted for a while and went our respective ways.

 

I stopped at Sargents, CO for gas and then picked up the trail a few miles further down US50.

 

 

               

 

 

These are some pics I took just after I had seen a Coyote. I think it was a Coyote as it looked like a large jackal or a small wolf. As it by itself I thought ‘Coyote’. As usual I only saw it after it started moving and it ran along next to me for a while. I think it was eating road-kill. I t was also pretty quick!

 

 

       

 

There was a small one mile section of pavement before proceeding along the trail to Gunnison. Again, the scenery was spectacular as I rode over the ‘Los Pinos’ pass (the only one not snowed in) and headed down. It warmed up as I got to this river:

 

               

 

Then I started climbing again, up and up and up. The road was fantastic and I ended up pretty high before heading down to Lake City.

 

               

 

I stopped halfway down to look at lake San Cristobal which was beautiful too. There were info boards there which can be read.

 

                       

 

I got into Lake City which turned out to be a tourist town and quite quaint.

I stopped for a burger (bison burger but tasted like beef to me) that took about 45 minutes to be served. After a couple of beers I wasn’t too fussed though. Took a walk around the town; there was a few outdoor shops and a gas station and a few RV parks. Nice place overall.

 

 

                                  

 

Checked into some pretty poor accommodation. Can’t remember the name of it but no air-con and pretty poor condition and not the cleanest of places. The bed was clean though and after a shower I was sawing down the trees

 

Woke up the next morning and decided to head off early. As I came out the door I ran into these two.

 

               

 

 

 

Journal Quote:

 

Left Salida this morning for Lake City. Ride went well but got real cold real quick! Had to stop at 11,000 feet and put the fleece on. This was before the top of the pass where I stopped again and met a guy called Wolfgang Heineman on a 1983 Honda Goldwing. Had a chat and took some pics of each other. The roads were icy at that time but no real problems. Stopped in Sargents, CO for gas and got some kit-kats and a powerade. Then hit the trail for a 100 mile off road section. Was pretty good as the ride went through Gunnison national park. Saw a large coyote or a small wolf, not sure which. The riding reminded me a lot of Sani Pass. Went over ‘Los Pinos’ pass. Put the helmet cam on and hopefully got some good footage. The bike was missing a bit up at 11,000 feet but still handled it. The chain lube I bought seemed to quieten it down. Got into Lake City early and went to lunch. Had to wait about 40 minutes for a bison burger which was just ok. Got to the chalets and was not impressed. No aircon and it was hot down in the valley. Loads of Harleys it being a Sunday. Sitting at the log table as I write this next to a park. Lake City is a small dorp! Just like Clarens in the Free State. Went for a cruise but nothing interesting.