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July 8, 2022

Ptarmigan Pass

So today, I decided to go for another ride. My iPhone 6S was restored to a semi-functional state. After riding in the rain for an hour or two last Sunday(July 3rd) to Ptarmigan Pass, it stopped working, so I took it to uBreakiFix 8246 W Bowles Ave Suite Q, Littleton, CO 80123 Phone: (720) 912-8283 on Monday, but that was the 4th of July, and they were closed. So I went back on Tuesday (July 5th), and they were open, but they said they couldn't fix it, and referred me to Discount Cell Phone Repair (720) 473-9291 at 1500 W Littleton Blvd unit 114, Littleton, CO 80120.

Of course, without a cell phone, it's nearly impossible to just drive across the Denver metroplex to a specific address. But somehow, I got there and dropped off the phone on Tuesday July 5th. They said it would be ready on Wed July 6th. So, I went back on Wed July 6th and picked it up. It works better now. Not perfect, but it basically works.

Today is Friday July 8th, so I figured I'd get on I-70 and head west, knowing that there'd be traffic from the cagers getting off of work and heading up to the mountains. My main goal was really just to do Ptarmigan Pass again, because I really liked my ride when I did it last time (I think it was Sunday July 2nd).

So I went west on I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel (1st crossing of continental divide), then down into Silverthorne where I stopped and ate at McDonalds. I met another guy who was also on an Africa Twin also eating at McDonalds (Jaime Carrillo). So, I added him into my contacts, as Brian and Leslie don't respond to my texts, for whatever reason, so I deleted them from my contacts. May as well try to meet some new people to ride with.

Then, I-70 west to Colorado State Highway 91 South (I exit just before Ski Copper). Then south on 91 across Fremont Pass (13,319'), 2nd time I crossed the Continental Divide, and then, just north of Leadville, I turn right onto U.S. Highway 24 and take that road over Tennessee Pass (10,424') (3rd time crossing continental divide) and down into Camp Hale. At Camp Hale, I head up towards Ptarmigan Pass. It's a very easy dirt road, somewhat rocky in places, and on the way up, I see a furry creature off of the shoulder of the road. This was exactly 2.4 miles up Resolution Mountain Road from the trailhead down at Camp Hale. My best guess is that it is a family of Yellow-Bellied Marmots. I stop and shoot some photos of mom, dad, and several babies. Making careful note of my location so I can find them again. Would be cool to set up a gamecam and get some shots.

At 7:00 pm, after riding 124 miles, I depart from Camp Hale, and head towards Minturn. This section is really breathtaking. At 7:30 p.m., I've gone 86 miles and I reconnect with I-70. Now, I'm heading west, back towards home, running balls out. Trying to get home before dark. Running triple digits pretty much the whole time. Go through the Johnson Tunnel (4th crossing of the continental divide). Get home at about 8:50 pm after riding 221 miles.

Now, I'm thinking that next time I go up that way (Ptarmigan Pass), I'll set up my gamecam and see if I can get some more shots of the marmots.


Posted by Rob Kiser on July 8, 2022 at 11:20 PM

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