San Juan Hut Trip - Day 1

Tuesday was the first riding day of the trip. Well rested from a comfortable night in the condo at Durango Mountain Resort we took our time getting ready. With the exception of the food and sleeping bags in the huts we would only have what we carried on our backs and our bikes to live off of. Andrew shocked and surprised everyone by changing into a once piece time trail road biking kit (courtesy of Jo's ex boyfriend).

Andrew in his new Time-Trail Suit


We ate breakfast among the tourists (mostly Texans) at the DMR deli and started loading up. As we all packed our gear piles spilled into each other and soon all manner of outdoor gear and clothing was strewn about the condo. Eventually housekeeping forced us (okay me, I was the last one ready) to leave and we were ready to roll.

Hurrying to Get Ready



Official Group Photo



Day 1's ride followed part of the Durango 100 mountain bike race course from DMR along the east fork of Hermosa Creek and then turned upward to Bolam Pass which sits at over 11,000 feet. It was only 18 miles, but it had almost 4000 feet of climbing. It was my first ride on the new Superfly. I remembered the course from the race in 2005. It was a short climb early followed by a gradually increasing climb that terminated in relentlessly steep switchbacks. The skies opened dumping heavy rain on us about half way up the climb. It only got colder and wetter as we gained altitude. We were all freezing when we made it to the hut. Here are my notes from the day:

• Good sleep - finally.
• Breakfast with Texas Tourists.
• Storm clouds building early.
• Route part of Durango 100, I remember this.
• Slow movers up the first climb, my ass hurts already.

First Climb

• Raindrops at the top.
• Easy Descent down to Hermosa Creek, big climb lurking ahead.

Descending to Hermosa Creek

Lower Hermosa Creek Valley

Crossing Hermosa Creek

• Rain clouds growing more ominous.
• Climb starts easy, gets steeper and steeper.
• Heavy Rain hit just past Hermosa Creek.
• Stopped for a while, but rain didn't.

The Rain Hits

Waiting out the Rain

• Pressed on.
• Rained the entire climb, just like in the Durango 100.
• Only got wetter and colder as climb continued.
• Switchbacks pure hell, no fitness only misery.
• Jo's chain broke.
• Steep climbing over at Miner's Shack.
• Great view at the top.

Pressing On

Broken Chain

Jean-Paul and Andrew on the Climb

Miner's Shack



Upper Hermosa Creek Valley



The Mighty Superfly

• More climbing to the hut.
• So cold, fingers and toes completely numb.
• Hut is a sight from heaven.
• So much food, so hungry, what to eat?
• Built a fire, finally warm.
• Rain clouds cleared, stayed cold at 11,000.
• Chopped wood, cooked dinner, organized, packed.

The Hut

Lycra Jungle

View from the Front Door

View from the Porch

Cutting Wood

Dishes

• Hiked out to overlook to watch sunset - beautiful.

The End of the Day

Sunset Over Lizard Head Peak

• Deer just outside hut.
• Slept good.

You can see more photos Here
(Day 1, pages 3-7)