We left before 7 AM to hopefully avoid the rush and by 10 AM we were settling in to our boondocking site near the Turtle Rock BLM Campground. I've stayed here before, but this time my loving wife Martha came along, driving her car as she's got social commitments on Friday; but will return to me after that.
The weather ranged from bright and sunny, to stormy and rainy and then back to sunny....ah, Colorado spring weather.
View of the Collegiate Peaks from our campsite
Tuesday, June 4. I had checked the CDOT website and nearby (28 miles) Independence Pass was open! I'd last ridden it two years ago, exactly, when Marta and I rode Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol Sidecar Rig, to Vale across the pass to visit family friend, Barbara L.
There was more snow off the sides of the road this year than two years ago, corresponding to a harsher winter this year. So I rode Yagi, my 2006 Yamaha TW200 to see how she'd do at altitude (she did fine).
The surfaces of Twin Lakes was almost mirror clear...
Yagi did fine going up to the summit, never went below 4th gear at the steepest points though she did slow down quite a bit, but never to the point of the engine lugging.
At the summit, lots of cars and motorcycles using up all available spots. I waited for a clear shot of the sign once some Harley guys finally achieved whatever results they were seeking at the sign.
Heading back down, away from the crowded summit, I stopped where I could safely do so for pictures.
Yagi's low gearing allowed for tight u-turns to pose her as best could be done in some spots.
Not too high, the snow accumulation, I think.
One of several tight hairpin turns on CO Hwy 82 which
leads to Independence Pass.
Starting the downward descent on the eastern half
of CO82.
Once back under the timberline, there was a spot of vast devastation of trees. Apparently an avalanche had come down and basically laid waste to the Pine and Aspen trees in the area:
One last pic before heading into the town of Twin Lakes, at the entrance to the Parry Peak Campground.
Note: both Parry Peak and the neighboring campgrounds had zero cellular signal so nice locations but not if you require Internet access!
Rode on back to the RV and spent the rest of the day working and doing chores around the RV. Yagi was displaying some sporadic hesitation at 55 mph on US 24 both on the way up to Twin Lakes and on returning to Buena Vista.
I "think" it was road conditions, minor frost heaves, but we'll see. She did great otherwise.
10 comments:
With the TW, Martha is no longer in the pictures.
Yeah, funny how that works out.
Some beautiful shots!! I was born in Denver but alas, have ended up in flat Florida.
Thanks Michael J, I spent my teenage years in Miami. I don’t miss it.
The mirror shot is lovely, Dom. Thanks for this. Lots of snow still on the mountains.
Thanks SonjaM, as you’ve “the eye”, your comments meant that much more....or is it Roland And You?
Nice set of pics, Dom. Glad to see you out exploring and re-exploring areas.
Just acquainting Yagi with places the other motorcycles have been CCjon, thanks.
I might have "the eye", Dom, but Roland sure got the better gear as I use iphone only for pics these days ;-) So I often tell him: oh, this motive might look great, and he then captures it perfectly. Team effort.
SonjaM, sure the better equipment makes it easier at times....but it's "the eye" that is a major factor.....kudos on the teamwork
Post a Comment