Day 22: Can We Get in on that River Float?

Saturday, July 10

Sarvis Creek, CO to Kremmling, CO

75.87 miles, 6699 ft climbed, 1446.37 cumulative miles

We awoke in our stealth camping spot to 40 degree temps and heavy dew but quickly began to warm up as we climbed up and out of the creek valley and headed toward Stagecoach lake in the sun. We stopped and chatted with a local mountain biker who helped us figure out our plans to reroute around the Muddy Slide forest fire currently burning near Steamboat.

The ride on the bike path along the lake was serene and pretty in the morning light. Back on pavement a while later, distant ambulance sirens inspired a chorus of coyote howling coming from across the valley. So cute!

Our reroute took us through the town of Yampa which is tiny but a growing destination for cyclists out of Steamboat with its two cafes and old timey general store (complete with 100+ year-old cash register still in use today). We enjoyed a fat breakfast at the diner and stocked up on day food at the store and bakery/cafe. 

We climbed up and over Gore Pass on pavement and then rejoined the original route. We were quite pleased with ourselves to be done with the reroute and back on track. The road took us up high and then for several miles we rode rollers along the top. The roads were winding and fun, wildflowers were exploding with color all over, and views (albeit smoky) were huge. We had our first water crossing which was very refreshing in the heat of the afternoon.

The hand-cramping, brake-melting descent into the town of Radium was epic! The road wound on a ledge along the mountainside with the huge valley and Colorado river down below. Once again, we had to take a couple of breaks just to shake out our hands. 

We enjoyed cold Gatorade and snacks courtesy of a rafting company based in Radium. We felt a little envious of the river floaters as we sweated bullets in the hot sun heading out of town for the last two climbs of the day to get to the town of Kremmling where we’d camp for the night. Upon arrival, we ran into another bikepacker we’d met in Steamboat who is also heading southbound. Off toward Breckinridge next!

Published July 11, 2021