Yeah buddy! Try this one, its one of my all time fav-o-rites: You can go from Vail to Minturn via the Two Elks Trail. Lot's o' climbing, breathtaking views, and an extremely long and kick-ass down hill, punctuated with semi- to moderately-technical rock gardens. You should check with one of the local bike shops for good directions if necessary before you par-take ...billybobzia said:
sounds like a good one - about how long would you estimate it takes..we ride at a reasonably speedy place..but don't mistake us for racers as i am long retired..is it really a 10 mile climb?? i really love climbing even though most people think i'm whacked!!W'04 said:
Lost Lake kicks ass, it's just short. Allegedly, from the map, you can make a loop after you arrive at the lake, but I've tride to hook it up twice, and both times got lost in the rough.Debaser said:
You know, it's been a while since I've done this ride, but it really is quite a climb, and the book says it's 10 miles. The climb is all on a well-maintained service road, so it goes much more quickly than you'd expect. After you hit the top it's all singletrack (good stuff) into Minturn.billybobzia said:
I tried to find some pix I took up there once, but I can't find 'em. A websearch found this site (whoever the hell these guys are); but it shows some neat shots of the Lake, go here to check it out. Also, the guys on this site made Lost Lake into an epic by hooking it up from the Safeway parking lot (at the West Vail exit), up Red Sandstone Road, off onto Buffehr Creek Trail, up to the Lost Lake Trail, back down to the Son of Middle Creek Trail, over to the North Trail, and back (25 miles 3,900' climb). May be a good one to try! I'll check it out next week and provide a full report.Debaser said:
The guys in those pics were my friends, I just found this thread. The ride as I remember it (it's been a while) was a long one, and took some route-finding with maps to figure out where we were and where we were going. I think the GPS told us we'd had 4000' of vertical climbing that day, which was made worse the next day when I climbed Mt. Elbert... A great ride though, I wish I still lived in Colorado to do it again...W'04 said:I tried to find some pix I took up there once, but I can't find 'em. A websearch found this site (whoever the hell these guys are); but it shows some neat shots of the Lake, go here to check it out. Also, the guys on this site made Lost Lake into an epic by hooking it up from the Safeway parking lot (at the West Vail exit), up Red Sandstone Road, off onto Buffehr Creek Trail, up to the Lost Lake Trail, back down to the Son of Middle Creek Trail, over to the North Trail, and back (25 miles 3,900' climb). May be a good one to try! I'll check it out next week and provide a full report.
Hey Curtis! Nice to know you. What the hell are the chances?? My gosh!! Anyway, it looks like an awesome ride. I have that Latitude 40 map Debaser suggested (it's excellent), between that and knowing a lot of the Vail area, I hope to retrace your friend's ride. If you're in regular contact with them, please send a thanks from dubya for giving me the inspiration, I'm sure it'll be a great day. If you're ever out this way, post in here or send me a PM to ride ... PS: Wanna know what the scariest snowmonster is? Them thar Wendigos ... *shudder*Snwbeast said:
