06/07/06 Day 3 Twin Lakes CG to Mueller SP

Well, as I said, awake at 0600, up at 0700, and in this case, out the door (flap?) at 0745 - not early enough, evidently.

No, I did not make the summit.

After a hurried breakfast of a can of peaches, I packed my daypack with hydrator bladder, snack bars, vest and m/c jacket (I was scared of the snow I could see on the peaks), and camera, and started the bike up the hill. First was the trailhead parkinglot, which connected to a 4X4 trail to the true trailhead some 2 miles up. 2 miles is 2 miles, right? I got most of the way before coming to a flowing mountain stream of 15' wide and 10" deep that made me think - if I can make it across this direction, without falling over into the cold water or over the 10' waterfall, I still have to do it coming back down. So I gave up 1/2 mile riding and parked the bike.
There isn't really much to tell. Up, up, up. Trees and mosquitos, then markedly no trees and no air. You are starting the climb from 10,000 feet, so right there you are at a disadvantage. Elbert is 14,433 or so, the tallest 14-er in the Rockies and 3rd tallest Mountain in North America. Though you are 'only' climbing 4,400 feet, it will be over 8 miles and you started with thinner air then you breath in an airliner at 41,000feet!



This is me, at the turn around point, or time, really. 1130 allows a good effort, but still time to return below treeline before the afternoon thunderstorms can draw a good bead on you. For me this was 13,500 feet, just 900 feet and less than a mile to go, however my lack of conditioning and late start were insurmountable. I'll claim it was the pneumonia I had in May, but really it was the birthday I'd had in February!
To the north you could see past Leadville, to the south past Buena Vista, to the east the backside of the Front Range. To the west all I saw was the trail going up.

Coming back down was definately easier on my lungs than going up, but the slope and rough trail were murder on my legs. When I crossed the stream back to the bike I was sure I'd made a good decision, even more so when I had to lift the bike after dropping it in a silty turn. It pushed the cylinder guard back against the cylinder it was, ah, guarding, but otherwise no damage.

Reaching the camp I hurried to pack up as the pm sprinkles were starting. Then east on 82 to 285 where I looked north to darkening skies and south to.... South it is! Down to Salida and then east on 24 to Divide, where the rain started to catch me. I ducked into Jackies Bar and Grill just in time. I'd barely opened my beer when the rain came down and half a dozen bikers not as lucky (nor as dry) as I blew in. An hour and two beers and a burger later all was well an I headed south on 67 to Mueller SP.

Mueller is a FINE park, and a farvorite of the area RV'ers. It is priced accordingly at $5 usage for the bike and 17$ campsite. That 23$ put me neatly between two dinosaurs of the RV age, populated by the McCoy's and the Hatfields and their delightful children. More shrill voices I have never heard, nor more enthusiastic slamming of RV doors. I pitched tent in a hurry and passed out with riding togs and earplugs still in place. I was a spent man.

Two hours later I rose and visited the $1 for 4 minute showers, spent 3$ in tepid lather, just 15 seconds short of a full rinse I might add, and returned to my nylon RV for a good night's sleep.