![trying to beat the storm](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-S9sdjQC/2/M/DSCN6189-M.jpg)
We planned a late autumn cycling trip up Boreas Pass from the Breckenridge side long before we knew our trip would coincide with what may have ended up being the final thunderstorm of the season. The highest peaks got snow that chilly day!
We didn't get too far that day, but when you're pedaling above 10,000 feet and going up, who cares? Just take in the views and enjoy the ride!
![rock cut](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-76TqL9f/2/M/DSCN6122-M.jpg)
![Goose Pasture Tarn](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-f6tDtK9/2/M/DSCN6123-M.jpg)
![summer is gone](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-CRqLpRr/2/M/DSCN6136-M.jpg)
![where the leaves are](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-P839CP4/2/M/DSCN6159-M.jpg)
We absolutely could not believe when we found a stand of aspens with leaves still attached.
![Wow! Leaves!!!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-W2kMvN2/2/M/DSCN6141-M.jpg)
![Baldy](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-8hrTDGv/2/M/DSCN6170-M.jpg)
![gold with a touch of blue... and brown](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-VdhvxDs/2/M/DSCN6152-M.jpg)
![tough guy](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-FjsBsqr/2/M/DSCN6150-M.jpg)
And then... GREEN leaves!!! Oh, my!
![WOW!!! GREEN leaves!!!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-DvHHHtf/2/M/DSCN6155-M.jpg)
The miracles didn't stop there. I soon found a single still-living daisy!!!
![The only live flower along the Pass](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-rdkMkFk/2/M/DSCN6129-M.jpg)
Touches of flaming red here and there, too.
![brilliant red](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-ngRRQVD/2/M/DSCN6185-M.jpg)
Soon it was time to head quickly back to the safety of the car.
![winter-like chill and autumn tundra colors](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-G8XSrLK/2/M/DSCN6176-M.jpg)
![thunder and lightning, oh, yeah](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-gt6HH93/2/M/DSCN6193-M.jpg)
The views had been so incredible, and the ride was so much fun, we decided to try again the following weekend. The first big snowstorm of the season had come and gone a couple of days before, and we thought most of the snow might have melted. We were wrong.
What a difference a week makes!
![Why we took mountain bikes instead of road bikes.](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-BPCWKpF/0/M/DSCN0011-M.jpg)
![Snowy Goose Pasture Tarn](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-HxVFm4P/0/M/DSCN0003-M.jpg)
![Ski Breck](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-cLp6bRV/0/M/DSCN0008-M.jpg)
A few leaves had hung on.
![no more leaves](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-SqLSwZP/0/M/DSCN0012-M.jpg)
![a few leaves hang on](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-BdZbDGW/0/M/DSCN0023-M.jpg)
![the higher we got, the icier it got](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-R8whM6F/0/M/DSCN0035-M.jpg)
Most of the leaves had found an icy resting spot.
![chilled gold](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-M9BqJMx/0/M/DSCN0024-M.jpg)
![glorious color](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-tQhMx2r/0/M/DSCN0021-M.jpg)
![brrrrrrrrr...](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-DLj43pT/0/M/DSCN0031-M.jpg)
The descent was oh, so cold!!!
![icy downhill](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-TRtFXdW/0/M/DSCN0047-M.jpg)
![clear blue skies](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-R57gJXC/0/M/DSCN0040-M.jpg)
![just a teensy bit cold](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-htNR4R9/0/M/DSCN0058-M.jpg)
Heading back home through Breckenridge, we stopped for well-earned hot chocolate. And found daisies where the snow had melted!
![sun worshippers](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Boreas-Pass/i-vhjFjqj/0/M/DSCN0096-M.jpg)
What better way to end a chilly, muddy, wet ride than a grilled chicken avocado sandwich on a whole grain bun with rosemary-tainted sweet potato fries! The Lizard got my bacon, and I got his tomatoes. Fair trade!!!
![Yum!](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Recent-Shots/2015-UnNikon/i-CS3hB3b/0/M/CA_10241522542044-M.jpg)
Bah, it's snow lol when that high up you sure have quite the view. A week sure can make quite the difference indeed
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! Those were two fine weekends to close out cycling in the upper elevations. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm... bacon!
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures! Green leaves, too?
ReplyDeleteTreasures of Autumn. What a transformation after the snow! It's such a thrill to see flowers this late in the year, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos as always. :)