Three Stooges Stromin' the San Juans

When Dad suggested we go ride Camp Bird Road up to Yankee Boy, I said that sounds like a Great Plan. Of course, I had no idea what any of these things were He had Google-Earth'd all of these spots and knew what was in store, I was just along for the ride.



The Box Canyon...we had plans to walk the boardwalk in the bottom, but never found the time. Next time...





Ribbers...I lub dem



Still misting a little at this point and the roads looked treacherous. A few practice panic stops and the tires hooked up amazingly well. I suppose I'm just accustomed to West Texas caliche , slicker than snot when wet.



The first campsite we came to would have been phenomenal in the real world, but this is Colorado









The next spot, and I can't remember nor locate the name, was perfect. Nice/clean restrooms, awesome views, picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, and oh...a ribber






Wha...is that blue sky? Hip Hip OURAY



The deep part was on the far side and I didn't walk over for a pic...next time (I have to quit saying this!)



For my k8E, she's a flower nut





Locate tomorrow's campsite...check. No where to be, so let's keep going.

This is one of my favorite pics from the trip. The drop offs on Camp Bird are not for the faint of heart!





Sad spot for many however







The clouds were amazing that afternoon; the diffused light resulted in some very nice pictures as well.

Pops-in-law has made the wife PROUD! Thanks for all the GREAT pics of my hubby, it's about time
BBB those Boobies are MINE..hands off the screen

I took over 300 pics this day, so bear with me...trying to post up the best ones.

Camp Bird is one sweet shelf road...just hug the wall if you are afraid of heights!





Pops: {Man, these pictures are sweet! I better get more of B-Rad so k8E won't kick my ass}





I had not researched nearly as much as Dad and I recognized this road as the Camp Bird (youtube Imogene for some sweet videos!).





Looks like snow on those peaks, but it's actually sun



This ribber is all mine





Made it to the Imogene turn-off...it was late in the afternoon or I would have forced Pops to do it



Here's the bridge over the ribber mine:



Just too purty out that day!



This one is above us





Pops: {Dang}



You sure Pops?
Next time...off to Yankee Boy

Are you having fun, Pops?



Sneffels or Camp Bird...not sure





Decisions at the Y



Screw politics, let's go right



In the pic above, right above Dad's helmet, you can see a little dot. It's a dang cabin WAY up there above the treeline! Talk about commutes...



Dad: {beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep visual overload beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep}



Yankee Boy was getting a little rough, so we turned around to be safe...next time From the Spot track, we were close to the end



It's all downhill from here



The bikes were beginning to look good with the nice coating of Camp Bird!





Yes, this is fun and what these bikes were made for. Blasting across NM at 90mph (j/k k8E), then riding some muddy/rocky jeep roads!



The overhang from the other direction



Yeah, it's further than it looks:eek1



Couldn't believe Pops was sitting on the edge. When he was getting up and the gravel was sliding off, I couldn't help but grab his arm.



Cheaters



Yeah....that's better









Yes, this IS fun!



At this point, we decided to do what we've often done in the past on long non-technical downhills...engine off and the bike in neutral. Cool to glide along and hear nothing but the birds, ribbers, and ... Vstrom clanks/squeeks/moans/etc

This video was hand-held, so forgive the bumpiness...one-handed riding on a moist, curvy road was using up what little concentration I had left at this point. (helmet cam next time for sure!)


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Coming back into Ouray and we were on Cloud 9...truly an awesome little ride (and we didn't even do Imogene ).



What a place!

Beautious!!!

That was one request that was truly a pleasure to fulfill, k8E! Awesome place, can't wait to go back and summit Imogene! And if those are your breasts, you must own one hell of a wonder bra! But you still might want to consider a wax job and surgical enhancement, dear!

Great job on the video, B-Rad!!! We started coasting a sweet little downhill stretch at Wolf Pen Gap on our dirt bikes several years back and the practice has grown! It even turned into a competition to see who could get farthest down the hill, which forced you to stay off the brakes and let it run through corners and over waterbars! Now we look for opportunities to kill the bikes and just hang on and let 'em run in neutral!!! Try it some time...it's awesome running on gravity! Some might say it's too hard on the brakes...not if you don't use 'em!

The descent to Ouray was a blast! I was having so much fun I almost forgot to take pictures.



When we get back to the shelf road with the overhanging rocks, I wanted to hug the rock wall to avoid vertigo... but there were hikers under the overhang!



So we took the wheel track nearest the edge and carefully picked our way through the potholes a mere 2 feet from a sheer dropoff! No sweat, just focus on the line and don't look at the drop! Brad got some good shots from above, I think.




Ooh, lookit...a trailhead with some sweet singletrack running up into the forest! We gotta' bring the dirt bikes and mtb's up here! Many of these trailhead signposts have no mechanized vehicles which includes mtb's, but not this one! I can understand why no motorized vehicles, but mtb's should be allowed on the hiking trails!



It was around here that we decide to kill the bikes, put 'em in neutral and act like they're 500 lb. mtb's!



We managed to coast the majority of the descent back to Ouray...so much more fun running silent! Plans for the evening begin with a soak in the Famous Hot Springs Pools in Ouray!

My bad....should've clarified that statement more. I just thought you'd be able to distinguish the difference in male BOOBS and female BOOBS. That could be dangerous for you! We'll have to have a discussion on this one
Don't down the hubbies BOOBIES....they are most attractive and manly.
As for me....no wonderbra or surgical enhancements there, but i have had wax jobs in the past....just not that location :eek1

The picture of Pops-in-Law in front of Ouray is a favorite of mine. He is on Cloud 9

Yep...that's what being in my favorite spot in the world makes me look like... and I think B-Rad had just said "Ready to check out the hot springs pools?" I'd planned to visit them last August, but they were closed for repairs.



They're open this year and that's where we're headed!

My boobies post shows why I shouldn't post after midnight! :huh

Feels good on the sore body on a cool evening

You got that right, Wayno! The aches and pains just melt away!!! along with the lactic acid

Right next to the hottest pool is an 80 degree pool. It's exhilarating to go from the hot to chilly! We used to jump out of the hot tub and roll in the snow, then jump back in the hot tub with a coating of snow...and invited anyone who hadn't tried it to join the Polar Bear Club! Makes you tingle all over!

Hot Springs do too

When Pops and I arrived back at the motel (brimming with excitement...BBB couldn't get us to shut up), Britt was outside talking to our neighbor Steve (smartass from San Antonio...we all got along great). He had an FJR on which he'd racked up ~85K miles...sharp bike!



He has spent a lot of time in Ouray and told us the hot springs were definitely worth a visit. Sounds like a plan to us



Some crazy big fish in the little pond outside of the swimming area!





We paid our $10 and went inside to change into our swimsuits. I only took a couple of pics and left my camera with my towel even though it is waterproof...next time. Dad has a bunch of pics, he kept his camera around his neck the whole time. People were looking at him like he was an idiot when the camera went underwater

There's Britt getting in...can't tell you how good this felt. Temps in the 50's and a light drizzle allowed us to stay in for a little while.



As Dad said, we went back and forth between the hot pool and the cooler pool...very nice tingle
Felt very relaxed afterwards!



Started raining a little harder when we left, but our core temps were warm so the ride back to the motel felt good.



I was so relaxed in fact, that I almost let the bike fall over when we arrived. Not sure if my leg was even out Steve the SmartAss witnessed my near-drop and chuckled...may have had a smart ass comment as well but I was too tired to remember.

BBB and I decided to go get some grub; Dad elected to snack and upload some pics to SmugMug. I had a craving for nachos, so we walked around asking people where some could be found.

Finally found the motherload at Buen Tiempo:eek1 (yes, that is one order! and no, that is not my bud light ...sorry BBB.) A Sunshine Wheat was pretty good with the nachos I must say)



Britt and I together didn't eat even half of the plate. We carried the leftovers home to Dad and he finished them off

It happened again!!! Although I didn't lose everything...the 4 words in the Title line were still there. This time I highlighted some text under the last picture and hit delete...make mental note... never hit delete when doing a long post. I'll start over...again!!!!

We pay the admission to the pools...$10.00! What happened to the good ol' days when you could get into the county pool for a quarter? Long gone for sure! These pools are a tad different from the county pool. The first pool you come to is close to body temps...easy to get into.



The county pool didn't have it's own lane pool, either. This water was chilly...perfect for swimming laps and I promised myself to swim a few before we leave, but the hot water saps me!



The county pool didn't have awesome peaks in every direction...at least not the Bailey Co. pool. The cliffs surrounding Ouray have earned it the title "Switzerland of America".

I brought my camera to get some "backfire" shots...but he wore his hat.



I get some funny looks while I'm taking pictures in the pool...one guy visibly almost yells out when I drop the camera into the water on my neck lanyard!
We get some unique angles from a foot underwater aimed at the shooter.



BBB isn't lopsided? Must be a ripple in the surface of the water? There you go, Mel...BBB boobies...way up firm and high! The water did some wierd mirror effect...looks like his left nip is in his armpit?



Hey...that looks like k8E's bosom!



This is one cool pool...even if most of it is over 90 degrees! Worth every one of those thousand pennies!



Not many people in the cool pool behind Brad...the hottest pool is only 102 today. It varies daily...some days reaching 108 according to the cute little peroxide blonde behind the counter.



We begin to notice the fading light...the clouds are closing in and it looks like rain. The county pool would've sent us home for sure with those threatening skies.



Needless to say, everyone in the dressing room looked nervous when I walked in with a camera around my neck...except for this one old perv who ran around naked for at least 5 minutes, even after I put my camera under the towel! No one needed to see that... he was older than mud!

I didn't take anymore pics of Day 5, so here's a good one to finish it off. That's Camp Bird Road in the background...you can just barely make out the Box Canyon under the sign. Another interesting factoid...check the date by the signature. 6/8/5?...that sign is as old as me! :eek1

Day 6 dawns bright and clear. We walk to Main Street, find a breakfast buffet and pig out. After breakfast, BBB springs a surprise on us...he's decided to head for home! We can tell he's uncomfortable talking about the whys, so we respect his decision. When the bikes are loaded, I try to get him to at least come check out the awesome campsite we found the day before, but he's made up his mind. So we part ways and we head up Camp Bird road to lay claim on our intended campsite.



By the time we get there, it's already 10:30 and the people have already left! We unload and set up B-Rad's tent. Since I've kept my footrot under control and it's made to sleep 3, we decide to share his to save time loading up tomorrow. We have big plans today...Ophir Pass is at the top of the list and we're anxious to get started!



We feel very lucky to have this site...the entire campground filled up overnight and this site wouldn't have stayed vacant long!



A picture just for k8E...B-Rad makin' bike porn.



We had originally planned to ride over Imogene Pass to reach Telluride, but since I'm afraid of baby head scree on Wees, we do the Northern end of the San Juan Scenic Byway loop instead, started counter clockwise from Ouray. It's a pretty ride, but Imogene Pass has world class views, including vistas of the Black Bear Pass switchbacks above Bridal Veil Falls. Next time for sure! We ride through Telluride to the parking lot of Bridal Veil Falls. The speed limit in Telluride is 15 mph and B-rad snaps 50+ pics as we roll through. It's a good thing...I can't find any I took, even at Bridal Veil!



We stop and top off the tanks as we leave Telluride. This is the view South from the gas station...Ophir Pass is up there somewhere and here we come!

I like ridin' lead when touring with PinIt...he's always right there in the mirrors!



We stop at an overlook...I usually regret passing them afterwards, as there are usually excellent views or some interesting historical signage. This one has both! I'm tempted to get into B-Rad's pic files...he got some really good shots of those jagged crags. I forget to switch camera modes too often and many of the pics are in anti-blur mode, which is best for riding, not for clear views of distant peaks.



He also got a good shot of the sign, which has some interesting facts about electricity...please insert pic here, Brad.



Damn papparazzi!



We find the cutoff to Ophir with no problem...zumo's are awesome! It's a beautiful day and that awesome smell of warm sunshine on mountain greenery spurs near absolute euphoria...then this sight tips us into total aaahhhh! Must stop and soak in it for a second or 10. Notice the perfect arch they put into their dam, just like Hoover Dam! We didn't see any beaver, but there were chewed stumps everywhere.



I spent a lot of time online googling this area, too and we're finally here!



The road to Ophir is well maintained...that's about to change!



We quickly reach Ophir on these smooth roads.



Poor kids, having to grow up in a place like this!



Time for some above the tree line, dual-sport action!



One of the very few switchbacks on Ophir Pass...it's mostly a long, straight shot that's much steeper than it looks in pictures! Gravely, off-camber, climbing turns make me nervous and I tighten up in them...not good. B-Rad stops and I feel the positive vibes radiating from him...relax and it'll be simple!



Sure is pretty up here where the air is thin and clean! I wish those clouds would go away...above the treeline is no place to be in a thunderstorm!



The road was in great shape with only a few rain cracks to negotiate.





Looking back West, that's Ophir way down there!



We get into the long, steep straight above the tree line and it's much more difficult than I expected! B-Rad stops in the first spot that's not a steep incline. I'm feeling the altitude and begin to notice a slight headache...a couple big swigs of water and the headache slips away! We quickly press on...don't want to meet jeepers coming down right here!!!



I changed my stock gearing for less rpm at 70 and am having problems going as slow as Brad without chugging, so I take the lead...determined to finish the scree stretch before stopping. It's hard to start on this incline in loose rock.



We reach a spot wide enough to meet a jeep, if necessary and take a break. Everything is harder to do above the treeline...but the rewards are awesome views!



k8E was following along on our Spot page and asked that night if we saw the awesome little lake near Ophir Pass...she'd found the little blue dots in google maps that turn into pics if you click them! I didn't even notice it until I saw this pic. It's so hard to take it all in when you're there, especially at 12,000'.





We were almost to the summit and thought the hard part was behind us...but there was still a tricky, climbing left hand switchback that almost gave me trouble! It was deep rock on the outside and a steeply angled, flat rock on the inside. I slowed too much and Jessie starts chugging when I open the throttle...if not for dirt bike experience at slipping the clutch, she probably would've died and napped in a bad spot! But we made it...this is the first time I've regretted my gear ratio change from stock.



We made it...and are rewarded with spectacular views of Red Mountain!



My picture of the Ophir Pass sign isn't very good...because the sign isn't very good. Probably because it's covered by 20' of snow half the time!



Next up...the Million Dollar Highway to Hermosa Park.

I know when I leave that area I just have to point my nose out of town and not look back....cause ifin I do I'll want to stay another 3-5 days or longer.

Hope you didn't miss Last Dollar Road on the way to Telluride...very scenic easy dirt rock road. If so there is always next time.