Cottonwoods and Aspens

The last big tour for the CFFC 2013 Fall Color Tour was up South Cottonwood Creek. The group first headed to Buena Vista the back way via Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and Rodeo Road.

In Buena Vista, they topped off their gas tanks and then headed west along Cottonwood Creek. Taking the south fork, they went up past Cottonwood Lake.

Motoring up past the golden aspen

At the end of the road, they stopped to check out the old mining activity. It's always a favorite place to climb around in.

On the way back down, they detoured onto a road that Mike had heard about from a buddy at work. This took them up to another mine and a neat, old cabin. There were some spectacular views up there.

Great panaroma views

Jeeps all lined up in the saddle of the mountain

Aspen covered hillside

That evening we had our Fall Color Tour potluck at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Steve made his famous elk chilli and apple pie, while everyone else supplemented that with the likes of a spiral ham, garlic bread, fruit salads, corn bread, deer burgers, chips and salsa, berry pie. No went to bed hungry!

Pictures thanks to m38Mike.

-- m38MuM

Aspen Ridge at last but certainly not least!

The highlight of the CFFC Fall Color Tours is the Saturday Aspen Ridge ride. The group stopped first for some gas at Centerville before heading down Highway 285 towards Salida.

Gassing up!

From the north side of Salida, they headed up past Spiral Mountain and the big Salida "S". The route took them past the old marble quarries. Then the steep climb to the lookout area which has become a tradition and a test for each jeep and driver. This spot has become very special to the Fall Color Tour, as this is where Allen Boyd's family spread his ashes to the Colorado winds.

On 'Boyd's Hill'

The jeep trail winds through aspen and openings with views across the valley until reaching Bassam Park. Here the trail becomes a maintained county road, and the pace picked up a bit until the group reached Futurity. This little ghost town is truly a ghost town, as no one resides there any more.

Futurity

From there the group looped around some hills and aspen stands before reaching The Castles. These rocks can be seen from Highway 24 on the way down from Trout Creek Pass. At The Castles, the group turned west to head around Bald Mountain and into Bald Mountain Gulch. The gulch is a dry, finely graveled creek bed popular with ATVs and dirt bikes. The curving banks are a blast to drive in an old jeep, too!

A Smiling M38Mike

The jeepers were hot and dusty when they arrived back at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. We put on a great potluck, with Steve's Chili the highlight of the meal. Everyone pitched in and I really am thankful that so many hands made light work of the evening.

The Arkansas River

Today's pictures are compliments of an old high school buddy of m38Mike's--his name is Mike, too!

- Ellen