My friend Ryan started a group last year for bikepacking overnights in the Front Range. When I moved back to Colorado, he reached out to remind me the club is doing self-organized trips this year instead of big group outings. I’ve been wanting to go, but for whatever reason timing didn’t work with the people who were going out.
Same with Littleton Social Cycle – it’s in my neighborhood, but I have yet to go on a ride with them.
So when a guy posted about doing an overnight May 30-31 on the Buffalo Creek route, I jumped at the chance to check it out.
Friday after work, I started to look for all my bikepacking stuff that I tossed haphazardly into boxes while moving. Where’s my water filter – and why is it not with THIS water filter? Where’s my chair and why did I find it with my tent in an unrelated box? I really should just have a Go Box with everything I need for one night out so I don’t have to go looking for stuff.
My anxiety is hitting peak levels – it’s been 8 months since my last bikepacking trip (which was absolutely phenomenal and one of my top trips of all time) and my first out West. Where I live is around 5,400′ of elevation – this trip was starting at 6,100′ and topping out around 8,500′ before dropping slightly to camp for the night around 8,000′. While I am acclimated to Denver, I get nervous about elevation – and exposure. There just aren’t as many cool, shaded dirt roads out here.
Saturday morning, I’m up early, pack up the car, and head to the trailhead – still super nervous. Looks like there will be about 5 other people, not a single one I know. After many years of developing bikepacking friendships and knowing what to expect, this felt like a huge wild card. I hope people like me, and I don’t get dropped.
We set out under blue skies along the South Platte River. The first 18 or so miles were a steady, gradual climb – so gradual one might think it’s flat! The group comprised of four men, one other woman, and me. I was secretly happy to see almost everyone had racks and panniers.
We gradually moved from paved to dirt roads to two-tracks through wildfire-charred landscapes beginning to recover. Gliding through the pine forest, we took a short lunch break on the side of the road.
The climb up to Wellington Lake was a bit soul-sucking. It’s long, steep, and endless switchbacks well into the double-digit grades. I was not the only one who opted to push a fully loaded bike over a short, steep section and then pedal on when the grade receded. Couple this with going from 7,000′ to 8,000′, and the ever-so-slightly thinner air begins to make itself known.
The staff at Wellington Lake filled up our water bottles with a hose and we all paused for snacks and the pit toilet. The real climb was coming up.
Stoney Pass was evidently in great shape – a steady climb but well-graded. I guess usually it’s a rutted-out mess but the exceptionally mild winter kept the road pleasant. Topping out around 8,500′, we took a quick break to catch our breath. It was mostly downhill to get to camp.
We stopped to gaze at a bison herd hanging out in a field, also enjoying the day. The wind is starting to pick up, so we continue on.
The skies started to look ominous, and we contemplated how much farther to camp. We made our way down the washboarded road as a hint of rain fell, then stopped. The wind is whipping us around a bit on the road, making it hard to descend quickly.
Arriving at our destination dispersed campground, we found zero sites available. Not surprising given all the campsites were taken up to this point.
No one really wanted to make a 4-mile climb to a different campsite, so we started down the road until we found a spot tucked away behind several large boulders with the creek running right beside it for easy filtering.
With a stage 1 fire ban in effect, we couldn’t have a campfire – but we still gathered around the fire ring to talk and share stories. One of the guys shared his birthday cookies with us – so delicious!
It was getting chilly so we dispersed to our tents for a good night’s sleep.
Sunday morning, we woke and had coffee and breakfast before breaking camp. While yesterday had three pretty good climbs, today only had one – and it was so much more gentle than any on Saturday. Today was going to be a good day because it would be gravity-assisted!
Along the way down, we had a spectacular view of the back of Pike’s Peak. The weekend recreational traffic was in full effect, so we often had to pull aside on the narrow dirt roads to allow a line of trucks and cars to pass.
More washboards, more sweeping views of the wildfire devastation and resurgence.
We passed through Deckers to begin the final 12 miles. I maintain that flat rides are harder than climb-y rides because you have to keep pedaling even though you’re tired. There’s no coasting. We regrouped a few times along the way. Still a very scenic and enjoyable section!
Before we knew it, we were back on the dirt to the trailhead. The weekend camping trip was over.
This was a super fun trip made more fun by the great company. I’m thankful to have found a group of people who seemed to be well-matched for my pace and bikepacking style. I’m looking forward to more overnights with this group again!
wife. mother. awesome girl. 