Hayden Pass, CO (attempted)

Today’s ride goal was Hayden Pass which is sort of south of Salida, CO. Researching this pass a little bit prior to nugging-out a gps track to follow led me to believe the east side of the pass would be doable with a large ADV bike. The uphill ride began that way. Still it was challenging enough to stop for a break due to man-handling the nearly 700 pounds of bike, rider, and gear during the ascent. The terrain would become looser and rockier as we climbed in elevation accompanied with increasingly frequent lose of momentum.

Trying to avoid bike-abuse, I surrendered at about 9,170 feet and about two miles from the summit. Turn around location is at the broken tree upslope. No regrets!

Back at the bottom, the day is still early and I toss together another idea.