Denver and Mt. FREAKING Falcon

Our Mt Falcon to Bear Creek GPS Track

Ron, Scott and Jake of RDBM COS came to Denver yesterday for a ride
because Ron was in Denver working. I sent them a list with 5
different options and rated the climbs from mild to moderate to
strenuous. (Warning #1- my climbing classification might need
adjustment). We decided to meet in Morrison and from there we could
either ride a loop at Red Rocks / Matthew Winters or Mt Falcon / Lair
of the Bear.

Once people showed up, we decided on the Mt Falcon loop. I had only
ridden to top of Falcon before and had heard great things anout the
loop so I was excited. I rated it as a moderate climb and had heard
ride estimates of 1.5 to 2.0 hours. (Warning #2 - don't always
believe my ride estimates and bring a light if you have one. Last
year, the same week before the summer solstice, Ron and I did a killer
climb up Ute Trail to Elk Park on Pikes Peak then had to descend Barr
Trail in the dark without lights.)

It was probably 6:15 before we started cranking up Mt Falcon and we
cranked until just after 8. We new it would be getting dark soon and
could see thunderstorms to the west but we pushed on in hopes of
completing the loop. It must of have been 8:30 before we finally made
it to the downhill portion on the loop. By that time it was
practically dark and was starting to rain but we had worked so hard
that we had to jump on the singletrack instead of taking the road down
the canyon.

In the daylight, the single track would have been a screamer with fast
rolling sections and the occasional rock garden to keep you alert.
However, we were in the dark and now instead of just raining it was
lightning and hailing. If there had been another way home we might
have taken it but we really didn't know where we were. Eventually we
came out on a ridge line and I got my bearings from a radio tower
above Morrison. I pointed it out to people and told them that's where
we had to go. They couldn't believe how far we had to go and they
gave me some well deserved heckling but we pressed on.

By 9:30 we finished the single track and were in the Lair of the Bear
trail. It was another nice fast downhill but riding in the dark
wasn't easy. I had a light and so did Jake which he loaned to Scott
so I took the lead and Scott took the back while we climbed up to the
highway then cruised 5 miles down the canyon back to Morrison.

When we finally made it back it was 9:55 and we were all wet, muddy
and a little cold. I'm sorry it took longer then expected but we all
made it home safe and I don't think it's a ride any of us will forget
for a long time.

Good ride guys!!! Next time I owe the beers.