ML - Aspen Peak

2015 - Issue 1 - Summer

Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak

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photography by C2 photography dozen or so pioneering locals like Deb Curtis, Lou Dawson, Bob Wade, and Dean Derosier joined in the fun. Those early rides included Government Trail—what is now a quintessential biking experi- ence that connects Snowmass to the Tiehack side of Buttermilk on singletrack winding through thick aspen groves, creek crossings, and challenging rock gardens—and Sunnyside—a trail connecting the Hunter Creek Valley to McLain Flats Road via a dramatic, aspen-lined ridge with valley-wide views. However, not everyone is a fan of the new trails, which are wider, smoother, and easier than ever. The old-school crowd still prefers the adventure The Roaring Fork Valley's trails system benefits from the natural beauty of its lush aspen forests. Above And beyond Mountain biking day trips showcase Colorado's diverse terrain—and some of its most scenic happy hour haunts. Trail: Monarch cresT Distance from Aspen to Poncha Springs: 62 miles Worth it: It is said to be Colorado's best mountain bike ride. Beta: Take the High Valley Bike Shuttle to the top of Monarch Pass before descending 6,000 feet (from alpine tundra to high desert) over 30 miles of scenic riding. Après: A margarita at the High Valley Pub & Grub, at the Sinclair station. 6250 Highway 285, Poncha Springs, 800-871-5145; monarchcrest.com Trail: Palisade riM Distance from Aspen to Palisade: 116 miles Worth it: The Western Slope's Porcupine Rim has pan- oramic views of Colorado's wine country. Beta: Climb 800 feet of switchbacks to the Upper Loop Connector Trail where you can climb another 700 feet on a four-mile loop or descend back to the Colorado River. Après: A pint of Dirty Hippie—a dark wheat microbrew—at the Palisade Brewing Company. 200 Peach Ave., Palisade, 970-464-1462; palisadebrewingcompany.com Trail: Boneyard Distance from Aspen to Eagle: 73 miles Worth it: The Denver Post called Eagle "Colorado's new mountain biking mecca" (though we beg to differ). Beta: A favorite of Vail Valley locals, Boneyard starts at the BLM gate off Bluffs Drive and Mill Road in East Eagle and gradually climbs 1,600 feet through pinyons and sagebrush to Bellyache Road. Up there, you can make a loop or backtrack down Boneyard for a fowing descent. Après: A Firestarter IPA at Bonfre Brewing. 127 W. Second St., Eagle, 970-306-7113; bonfrebrewing.com experience of the older, rougher trails. "When I ride, I want a true singletrack," says Derosier, "not a manicured, purpose-built trail." But Driggers says it's the now-equal collection of both that's making mountain biking in the area better and better. "The traditional trails provide for more of a backcountry experience and the purpose-built f low trails pro- vide plain, ripsnorting fun," she says. "Both improve riding skills, the former by being more techy and the latter by increasing confidence in fast riding, railing, and jumping." Gary Tennenbaum, of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, says his organization's Upper Roaring Fork Valley Trails Plan will focus on gaps in the cur- rent trail system to identify where future trails should be built. "The Trails Plan is visionary," says Pritchard. "It will take 10 or more years to build out the con- cepts, but this plan [could] have a significant impact on the quality and variety of our trails system." Aspen is finally matching its winter experience with a valley full of world-class riding during the summer. As avid bikers around town will tell you, in July, riding downhill on damp earth feels about as close to skiing on a powder day as you can get. AP 1979, when local photographer, author, and tele- mark ski boot designer Art Burrows and independent designer Mark Joseph first rode their 40-pound steel bikes under Aspen Mountain's Lift 1A. "I went over the handle bars in the first 100 feet," says Burrows. "We didn't know any better." Carbon fiber bikes can now weigh less than half that and disc brakes allow riders to stop on a dime, while customized suspen- sion systems, larger wheel sizes, and tubeless tires all contribute to a smoother and more comfortable ride. After those initial descents on Aspen Mountain, Burrows moved on to routes to and from Crested Butte on a handmade hybrid model. Soon after, a 34  aspenpeak-magazine.com LIVING THE LIFE

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