Thursday, June 2, 2011

Mount Evans road in pictures

 I took a bunch of pictures trying to capture the grade for Rick. I was warned when I paid my park entry fee that the winds were 50mph sustained at Summit Lake. I biked up to Summit Lake with a few freak-out moments on the edge of the road and the wind (I would come around a bend and about get knocked sideways), locked my bike (with a five foot log chain in my seat bag) and then ran for the summit. But once I got over on the other side of the summit the winds were easily 70mph. I made it to mile 12.25 before turning back. Sand and rocks were pelting me and I was reduced to a slow walk against the wind. A couple of gusts made me step back! So I still have never tagged a 14er.

Echo Lake and the start




Looking back at a long downhill at mile ~8


Ugly mug... no wonder the marmots were cussing me out

Just after Summit Lake. This might be the steepest section

Just after Summit Lake

The summit of Evans, 5 miles up by road


Looking down at mile ~7

10 comments:

Brett said...

Are you gonna tag two 14ers this summer - Evans and Pikes?

Lucho said...

No Pikes. After Evans I'm 100% focused on the Leadville 100 bike and I would never disrespect GZ's girl by not bringing my best to her...

GZ said...

I am so done with that chick.

Lucho said...

She's got curves though!

GZ said...

More than enough to share. Plus she kicks, bites, and spits. I am sort of old school ...

Lucho said...

Ha! You almost had her last year though... I think you're wearing her down. Someday she'll be sweet to you.

Jim P. said...

Man, the wind was HOWLING at my place yesterday...all day. We are straight east of Mt. Evans. Got a free microdermabrasion, courtesy of the trail's sand and gravel, while running on Bergen Peak. Can't imagine what it was like up on the peak.

Lucho said...

Jim- It made me take a step backwards at one point.

Wyatt Hornsby said...

I can't recommend Pikes enough as your first 14'er, Lucho, though it does look good that Evans will be the cherry-popper for you. I think Pikes is unparalleled, but I guess I haven't done enough 14'ers to know. I can't imagine a better trail runner experience with the possible exception being the Grand Canyon.

Wyatt

Lucho said...

I don't really call myself a trail runner though. I run roads for probably 99% of all my miles which is partly why I chose Evans. Pikes Ascent will probably happen someday. I've run the GC, I definitely agree with you there.