Max Elevation: 2,054 meters
Distance: 49.0 km
Elevation Gain: 1,061 meters
Time: 4:40
Growing up riding on the Front Range of Colorado, we always wished there was a connector trail between Heil Ranch and Hall Ranch outside of Lyons. About 6 years ago the connector (Picture Rock) was finally built. Since then I've wanted to ride them together as one ride, and we've tried a couple times, but been shut down by extreme heat and the all too usual mechanical failures.
Yesterday I decided to give it another go. I've been back from sea level for 4 days now and got in one short ride the day before; before that I have not been on my bike in 6 months. Needless to say, these factors made this ride much more punishing than it needed to be - downright painful in fact. This was probably the first time in my life that I've been so tired that I have actually considered walking my bike downhill. That being said, it feels good to finally check it off the list!
I got off to a slow start when I arrived at the Heil Ranch trailhead without my backpack.
The chundery climb up Heil Ranch:
Done with the slow and loose rocks of Heil and onto the Picture Rock connector trail:
