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Originally scheduled for late June but constantly pushed out to accomodate the heavy winter snow in the high coutry, the trip to San Juans was finally in progress. I got my bike and gear loaded in the truck and headed northwest.
Oddly, the weather was cooler and the countryside greener around Sweetwater than further south. Post, Texas, usually the hottest place along the route was only registering 91 degrees. It sure was a nice change from the constant 105+ further south.This route is a well worn path. The only part I do not really care much for is the 100+ mile stretch between Sweetwater and Lubbock. In recent years, the wind turbines have provided something to look at other than mequite trees and oil derricks. Still, this area is to be gotten through as fast as possible.
Before too long, I cross into New Mexico, the land of unreasonably low speed limits. Slowing down from 75mph to 65mph is a drag. Once on the west side of Clovis and out beyond the Air Force Base, the land opens up into what I call "Billy the Kid" country. Rolling country, rock formations and hardly a tree to be seen.
About an hour later and down a very bumpy road, I arrive at my overnight destination - the Econo-Lodge in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. They have comfy beds, you can back your vehicle to the door and the price is right.
I arrived during a thunderstorm and was presented with a beautiful rainbow it seemed was within easy reach. It was such a nice change of pace.
I was up and out early the next morning. I had been thinking of heading north through Santa Fe but opted for the more direct route through Albuqueque to Durango. It is not the most scenic route, but it gets the job done relatively quick. I have passed by the entrance to Chaco Canyon many times always saying next time. Oh well, next time...I feel like traveling down 20 miles of washboard road.
After a couple of hours, I crossed into Colorado which is always a nice experience. A road side sign is not needed to know you just entered the state. Things just suddenly turn green and mountainous.
Fortunately, the trip to the western slope is only 1.5 days for me. Today, I will be meeting up with my friend Patrick and his wife. They have a 45 foot toy hauler that is parked on a stream at 10,250 feet a few miles north of Silverton. Black Bear Pass road is three miles to the north and Ophir Pass road is two miles to the south.
After a short trip up the million dollar highway, I turned down a non-descript road that led to our home base for the next week.
The weather at this location was wonderful. High 70s during the day and low 40s during the night made for a great experience.
The stream was very nice and provided a very nice sound to sleep to at night. The water was expectantly cold but not bad enough to keep me from washing off the dirt every day.
Shortly after arriving, Patrick and I were gearing up for a ride. We decided that Black Bear Pass would be the first obstacle to conquer and headed up the mountain to the start of the road.
Black Bear Pass
Black Bear Pass road was just a few miles north of out camp site. We rode it quite a few times. Despite the trail still being blocked, one of us made it all the way to Telluride.
A 4K video of the climb up the east side from my perspective...
Patrick's 4K video which follows me up the east side of the pass...
The numerous waterfalls along the way make Black Bear one of the most picturesque passes in the area.
The pass does not give you much time to admire the beauty. It is one of the steeper and rougher passes to climb.
The camera tends to smooth things out some. All of these roads are well beyond rough.
Oddly, I do not really notice the no go zone on the immediate right. The heights do not bother me. Perhaps they should?
There were numerous groups of riders evenly split between dirt and ADV bikes.
These riders were definitely not amateur and made riding their heavy bikes look easy.
Unlike these guys, there were several groups of ADV riders that seemed to be outside their comfort zone trying to keep their heavy bikes from tipping over. One should be somewhere beyond an amateur ADV rider before attempting to ride these steep rocky passes.
It is one thing to look at the routes on a map and a whole other to actually ride them. The thin air and constant steep climbing take some getting used to.
It is at this point I realize I am climbing up 13,000 foot mountains. Even on these rough double track roads, it is quite the challenge and very rewarding once up on top.
One of my favorite spots to ride a wheelie. In the video, you can hear me yell "wheeee"!
I really enjoy rock climbing and there were many opportunities to do so. Too bad the camera flattened out this photo. It was much steeper than it looked.
The snow bank above is the first road block we encountered and got stuck in on day one. Here on day two, jeeps are getting around it to the right.
I am about to do the same, just picking my line up that very loose hill.
Finally at the summit - taking a look around.
Riding down the west side of the pass.
Unexpectedly, finding a second snow blocked portion of the road..
Patrick's KTM 500 EXC-F, John's 350 EXC-F and my 350-EXC-F at Black Bear Pass - 2023.
Patrick checking out the last blocked snow blocked section of the road. He eventually pushed his bike over the snow and rode the remainder of the pass into Telluride. John and I gave it some real consideration but turned around instead.
No guts no glory I guess. Here is Patrick's video of his ride down Black Bear Pass. Perhaps, the first dirt bike this year?
Anyway, we decided to ride Imogene Pass next and captured these images from the Telluride side later in the day...
Bridal Falls.
Brad and Patrick taking in the view above Telluride.
Oddly, the weather was cooler and the countryside greener around Sweetwater than further south. Post, Texas, usually the hottest place along the route was only registering 91 degrees. It sure was a nice change from the constant 105+ further south.This route is a well worn path. The only part I do not really care much for is the 100+ mile stretch between Sweetwater and Lubbock. In recent years, the wind turbines have provided something to look at other than mequite trees and oil derricks. Still, this area is to be gotten through as fast as possible.
Before too long, I cross into New Mexico, the land of unreasonably low speed limits. Slowing down from 75mph to 65mph is a drag. Once on the west side of Clovis and out beyond the Air Force Base, the land opens up into what I call "Billy the Kid" country. Rolling country, rock formations and hardly a tree to be seen.
About an hour later and down a very bumpy road, I arrive at my overnight destination - the Econo-Lodge in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. They have comfy beds, you can back your vehicle to the door and the price is right.
I arrived during a thunderstorm and was presented with a beautiful rainbow it seemed was within easy reach. It was such a nice change of pace.
I was up and out early the next morning. I had been thinking of heading north through Santa Fe but opted for the more direct route through Albuqueque to Durango. It is not the most scenic route, but it gets the job done relatively quick. I have passed by the entrance to Chaco Canyon many times always saying next time. Oh well, next time...I feel like traveling down 20 miles of washboard road.
After a couple of hours, I crossed into Colorado which is always a nice experience. A road side sign is not needed to know you just entered the state. Things just suddenly turn green and mountainous.
Fortunately, the trip to the western slope is only 1.5 days for me. Today, I will be meeting up with my friend Patrick and his wife. They have a 45 foot toy hauler that is parked on a stream at 10,250 feet a few miles north of Silverton. Black Bear Pass road is three miles to the north and Ophir Pass road is two miles to the south.
After a short trip up the million dollar highway, I turned down a non-descript road that led to our home base for the next week.
The weather at this location was wonderful. High 70s during the day and low 40s during the night made for a great experience.
The stream was very nice and provided a very nice sound to sleep to at night. The water was expectantly cold but not bad enough to keep me from washing off the dirt every day.
Shortly after arriving, Patrick and I were gearing up for a ride. We decided that Black Bear Pass would be the first obstacle to conquer and headed up the mountain to the start of the road.
Black Bear Pass
Black Bear Pass road was just a few miles north of out camp site. We rode it quite a few times. Despite the trail still being blocked, one of us made it all the way to Telluride.
A 4K video of the climb up the east side from my perspective...
Patrick's 4K video which follows me up the east side of the pass...
The numerous waterfalls along the way make Black Bear one of the most picturesque passes in the area.
The pass does not give you much time to admire the beauty. It is one of the steeper and rougher passes to climb.
The camera tends to smooth things out some. All of these roads are well beyond rough.
Oddly, I do not really notice the no go zone on the immediate right. The heights do not bother me. Perhaps they should?
There were numerous groups of riders evenly split between dirt and ADV bikes.
These riders were definitely not amateur and made riding their heavy bikes look easy.
Unlike these guys, there were several groups of ADV riders that seemed to be outside their comfort zone trying to keep their heavy bikes from tipping over. One should be somewhere beyond an amateur ADV rider before attempting to ride these steep rocky passes.
It is one thing to look at the routes on a map and a whole other to actually ride them. The thin air and constant steep climbing take some getting used to.
It is at this point I realize I am climbing up 13,000 foot mountains. Even on these rough double track roads, it is quite the challenge and very rewarding once up on top.
One of my favorite spots to ride a wheelie. In the video, you can hear me yell "wheeee"!
I really enjoy rock climbing and there were many opportunities to do so. Too bad the camera flattened out this photo. It was much steeper than it looked.
The snow bank above is the first road block we encountered and got stuck in on day one. Here on day two, jeeps are getting around it to the right.
I am about to do the same, just picking my line up that very loose hill.
Finally at the summit - taking a look around.
Riding down the west side of the pass.
Unexpectedly, finding a second snow blocked portion of the road..
Patrick's KTM 500 EXC-F, John's 350 EXC-F and my 350-EXC-F at Black Bear Pass - 2023.
Patrick checking out the last blocked snow blocked section of the road. He eventually pushed his bike over the snow and rode the remainder of the pass into Telluride. John and I gave it some real consideration but turned around instead.
No guts no glory I guess. Here is Patrick's video of his ride down Black Bear Pass. Perhaps, the first dirt bike this year?
Anyway, we decided to ride Imogene Pass next and captured these images from the Telluride side later in the day...
Bridal Falls.
Brad and Patrick taking in the view above Telluride.
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