July 7, 2007
Time of departure: 7:15 A.M.
Temperature: 35 degrees
Elevation: 8658 feet
Total Mileage: 190
Warning!! When Passing Truck Watering Road, Please Roll Up Your Windows!!
Well, that’s what the sign said anyway, but we were out of luck. Our windows on our motorcycles were broken. If we were to meet the truck, we were in trouble.
We left Lake City, CO under clear, cool skies, headed for our first of five mountains passes, over 12,000 feet, for the day.
The temperature was a bit on the cool side, but our heated grips kept us toasty, as we climbed Cinnamon Pass, our first brush with the sky.
Lake City’s elevation is already on the high side, at 8658 feet. So elevation began to add up quickly once we left town.
The scenery changes from alpine environment to high alpine environment, which means we move from aspen covered slopes, to above the tree line.
Here are the adjectives I can find to describe the scenery: beautiful, 
awesome, awe-inspiring, magical.
To be honest I can’t elaborate anymore. It’s just amazing. The pictures will say more than I ever can.
During the course of the day’s ride, we switched back and forth, up and over mountains and down into valleys. Most roads were old mining roads, now kept open by the county.
Cinnamon Pass had several switchbacks that were very tight, but otherwise we made the summit with no problem. A tiny bit of snow lingered at the top. Check out the video of Dad, to the right. He’s the red speck. The video was taken several switchbacks above him. He will ride up two swithcbacks.
We then rode down into the Animas River Valley, into the ghost town of Animas Forks, which at one time had the highest post office in Colorado, at 11,000 feet.
We then started up Hurricane Pass (which I mistakenly thought was Corkscrew Pass last year), the pass where Meredith had her tumble last year.
As we approached the top, the snow was still very abundant. And, we had to negotiate the toughest switchback so far. 
But, the view was amazing. In the picture below, Meredith and Dad are preparing to turn right and continue on to Hurricane Pass.
Once we made Hurricane Pass, we were able to look down on Lake Como, and were surprised to see ice still floating on its waters.
I’m always amazed at the tenacity of miners and prospectors. Everywhere you look, in the high country, there are reminders of days of mining gone by. The idea of living and working at this elevation is just amazing.
Also, you may be asking, “Why are roads clear
of snow?” Well, the county takes dozers and clears them every year. I can’t imagine running a dozer there.
After seeing Lake Como, we moved on to Corkscrew Pass, and some of the most difficult roads yet.
Sorry, no pictures for that. We were too busy negotiating the terrain.
From the top of Corkscrew Pass, we traveled down the mountain for a little more than four miles, to the Million Dollar Highway.
We moved south on the Million Dollar Highway. Then we turned west towards Ophir Pass. Ophir Pass is a bit different
th
an other passes, in that it is almost all rock. There is almost no grass at the top.
After Ophir Pass, we had lunch in Telluride, CO and moved west, towards Utah.
Several hours later, dad had to head back home, and we parted ways. It was good have him ride with us, and we hated seeing him go.
Soon, we were out of the mountains and in Utah. We made our destination of Monticello, UT by 4:30 P.M. It was an awesome day of riding.
See y’all down the trail.
Ron and Meredith.
