Seeking Fall Color during a Winter's Prelude

We woke today to light snow fall here in the Denver Metro Area.  It was not sticking to the roads, just collecting on the grass and trees, it would be gone by the end of the day.

In my present contracting gig, I work for Encana, who gives their employees and contractors the first and third Fridays off each month.  Such a deal.  So today, I was off and it was time to go riding North towards Estes Park which was the closest point in the region covered by the winter weather warning.

Primary mission was to find snow, secondary mission was to catch some fall colors.

I  lost some time motoring through the metro area on US285 instead of taking the long way round to the south on C-470.  The weather was blustery, wet, cold and my visor kept getting coated with ice.  For a non-dedicated snow helmet, it did pretty good but I think I'll be using my dedicated snow helmet from this point on.

I got to Morrison, fueled up, put on some rain paints and switched gloves.  The neoprene gloves I had been wearing at the start interfered with the grip covers, leading to situations where my access to the clutch lever was compromised.

I headed north on CO93 till I got to the junction with US40 and took that highway towards Idaho Springs.  Things got colder as I gained altitude but my winter riding gear held up fine, though I will admit I had the heated grips on!

From US40, I took the road to CO119 towards Blackhawk and points north.  The weather got better as I got past Blackhawk, brief glimpses of the sun became extended periods of sunlight and its welcoming warmth in the mid to high 20s °F weather I was riding through.

At Rollinsville, I turned towards the East Portal of the Moffat Railroad Tunnel and the Continental Divide near Tolland.

 The East Entrance to the Moffat Railroad Tunnel that goes under the 

Continental Divide.

 Near the junction of Rollins Pass Rd and Tolland Road

 Valencia, taking a chance at a snow sprinkled railroad crossing

 Heading back from the Moffat Tunnel, heading towards Tolland

 The Continental Divide view today, the usual majestic peaks 

were hidden by the oncoming snow clouds

Nearing Rollinsville

I got back on CO119 heading north towards Estes Park, the town that is just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park.  The intent was to get pie and coffee in town and get fuel for Valencia.  I was to be disappointed.  The pie shop has apparently gone out of business!  Sigh.

 Upon arriving at Estes Park, traffic was moving really slow, I found out soon enough the cause.  There was a herd of Caribou(?) moving slowly along the main drag into town!  I spotted two males with large antlers and wondered which one was the Alfa Male.

 This big guy was just across the street from me, Valencia was just a few

feet behind me in the gas station parking lot.

About as close as I got to Rocky Mountain National Park.

It was closed, due to the government shutdown.

Hungry and with the weather turning colder, I headed back along the same route I used to get to Estes Park.  I stopped a few times for photos, some of which didn't turn out, seems my camera is having issues focusing when the telephoto option is engaged.

 Stopping at Saint Malo's Church, between the road and the church there

was a large collection of fallen timbers, carried to the area by the recent floods.

I wonder how close the waters got to the church!

Returned to the Denver Metro Area by way of Golden, CO.  Not much further to report except a continued light rain replacing the light snow fall in the mountains.  The roads were wet once I was in the city but not slippery as the temperature had soared to 40°F by then.

Made it home after a bit over eight hours of riding in "suboptimal" weather.  I only saw two other motorcycles today, both in the city so I figure they were commuting.

Not a bad day of riding, though I am now planning to buy a new camera this weekend.  I guess my trusty Panasonic Lumix didn't survive the recent soaking it experienced during the "flood of the century" as well as I had hoped.