Wow, I believe that was the most spectacular day I have ever had on a bike. The scenery was uterrly spectacular and the first hand view of the power of nature was truly awe inspiring. We started our day from Williams creek campground on the alpine scenic loop and climb slightly but steadily through the valley passing the first of many avalanche destruction zones. The camp host tells us that one of the avalanches took out the sheriffs home and barn but we saw no evidence left of the home or barn. We enjoy a leisurely morning until the OHV traffic starts in earnest and we are bathed in a nearly constant cloud of dust. Dispite the busy traffic the road is amazing, a steep cliff on one side and a sheer drop off on the other. Eventually the valley narrows and the road takes a turn upwards, for the next 10kms the road keeps a steady 6-8%grade before getting properly steep for the last 5km. Each turn in the road brings a fresh view and more climbing as we snake our way between 14,000ft peaks. Some time after 2pm we summit the 12,640ft cinnamon pass to the cheers of the Jeep drivers and park staff. We spend a little while basking in our success then start the steep and bone shaking decent to animias forks ghost town. The town once housed over 500 but was short lived and within 30years of its inception is abandoned for easier living and mining further down the valley. A dozen structures still remain including a out of place looking victorian style home with big bay windows. The buildings are all in rough shape and quite obviously occupied by rodents of some variety but absolutely fascinating to walk through and imagine their past and the struggles of their inhabitants.
We are delayed by some necessary road clearing but eventually just hike around it and enjoy a little break from the traffic.
Amazing country
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