We got up early again and went to Poncha springs to catch the shuttle, we were the only people there as the weather forecast was still bad. So the shuttle guy took us up in his big pickup truck to the Monarch Pass (11,312 ft). When we got out it was about -10c and snowing lightly. The driver said he would wait for 15 minutes in case we decided to turn back if they was too much snow on the ground.

The riding was great, the snow wasn't wet at all, and we just glided through it. Although we had ridden the trail before it was very different to the last time we were here, when we were just wearing shorts. The highest point of the ride is 12,145 ft.

The clouds started to clear as we rode a long stretch of the continental divide trail which was above the tree line. Our tire treads were the only ones in the virgin snow.

The clouds really started to clear up at this point in the ride, and the snow started to be thinner on the ground.

There are plenty of ups and downs along the Monarch Crest trail, don't be fooled into thinking its a down hill trail, you need strong legs to enjoy this ride.

As we started to drop down the trail, the snow started to disappear, but the trail itself was nice and trail with only a few sticky spots. As we passed through a boulder field we spotted little Pika's running around amongst the rocks.

From Marshal Pass we headed along the silver creek trail, which had great single track which went through meadows, and through Aspen Groves.

At one point in the ride we rode past beaver ponds, and had to move trees beavers had chewed down from the trail. Some of the trees chewed down were over 12" thick.

This part of the ride was really fun as we rode down through aspen, whose leaves had all turned and the ground was carpeted with their fallen leaves.

There's quite a few ups and downs on this last section of the trail, but its all rideable.

Unfortunately for me on one of the fast down hill sections I lost it , and crashed heavily on the trail. I didn't break anything , which was pretty amazing considering the number of large rocks sticking up in the trail, but did loose skin of my elbow and skin off my thigh. Plus I'd obviously hit a rock hard with my thigh as it was very bruised and hurt a lot. Worst of all i'd put a hole in favorite Briko tights.

I was able to get back on my bike and we limped back towards hw 285, My leg was hurting so much by the time we got to the switch backs heading down to the road that I had to get off and walk to the road.

We then cruised the last 3 miles down to the car at Poncho Springs. We rode 35 miles in total.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the Walmart and bought medical supplies to treat my various cuts.

In the evening we ate at the Chinese restaurant Gourmet Chef which was very good, even though it was very uncomfortable for me sitting down due to my aching leg.

DAY 16