October 17 Lunch Run

Since all work and no play makes Y a dull girl, we decided to go on a lunch run up to Basalt, and have the worlds best French Dip sandwiches. After lunch we rode up to Aspen and went up to view the Maroon Bells. No they don't ring, and they aren't maroon...

View off I-70 just west of New Castle

Also from I-70 just west of New Castle.

Again, just west of New Castle. The temperature when we left was 60º

The Hogbacks, just east of New Castle.

View of Mt. Sporis from Hwy 82 south of Glenwood Springs.

This shot of Mt. Sporis was from Hwy 82 near Carbondale.

The road to Snowmass. If you click on the picture you can see some ski runs on Snowmass Mountain.

This ski area is called Aspen Highlands. It used to be the 'locals' mountain, until the Skico bought it up. Now all the mountains in Aspen are run by Skico. Do yourself a favor and Ski Vail...

A stand of Quakies, or Aspen trees.

The road up to Maroon Bells. We had to stop at a ranger station and pay for a day use permit. It's been a long while since I've been up here, the Ranger station didn't exist last time I visited.

Our first clear view of the Belle's.

The view of Maroon Bells from Maroon lake. One summer I camped up here, and climbed Pyramid Peak, which is out of sight off to the left. The two peaks you can see, and Pyramid are all fourteeners, but the Belles are mostly shale, therefore unstable to climb, and have claimed a few lives. My firend and I got within a 100 feet of the summit of Pyramid, when a rain storm rolled in and we were forced to abandon our attempt. It's not good to be above 14k feet when lightning is striking below you...

Yvette and I were content to climb this log...

Ah, a parting look at the Belle's in the new mirror...
By the time we got back down to Glenwood, it was almost 70º. Turned out to be a beautiful day...
 The Wing and the Drifter got new oil and filters and are ready to semi retire. Our goal is to ride at least one day every month this year. We will just have to cross our fingers, and see...