Joghard: Mount Evans road in pictures

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?; June 02, 2011
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...; June 02, 2011
GZ said...: I am so done with that chick.; June 02, 2011
Lucho said...: She's got curves though!; June 02, 2011
GZ said...: More than enough to share. Plus she kicks, bites, and spits. I am sort of old school ...; June 02, 2011
Lucho said...: Ha! You almost had her last year though... I think you're wearing her down. Someday she'll be sweet to you.; June 02, 2011
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.; June 03, 2011
Lucho said...: Jim- It made me take a step backwards at one point.; June 03, 2011
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; June 03, 2011
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.; June 03, 2011