Article & Photos by Ann Driggers
Here in Colorado it has been a slow start to winter with above normal temperatures and a dearth of precipitation. Normally we can count on mountain biking one weekend and skiing the next, thereby effectively eliminating the shoulder season. But this year the mountain bike trails have closed for winter wildlife before there was enough snow on the ground to even contemplate clicking into skis. In short the early winter has been a bit of a lemon. So what is a mountain gal to do? Turns out these abnormal weather conditions can create opportunities of a new kind. The cold, clear nights and lack of snow make for incredible ice development on high mountain lakes – smooth and clear like glass.
Riding in complete solitude up the closed road, which at any other time of year can be incredibly busy, was a treat in itself as I watched the early morning sun creep down the sides of 14er Pyramid Peak. With 7 miles and 1,300 feet of climbing towing the Nomad behind my mountain bike was a decent workout, for which I was actually grateful given it was the weekend following Thanksgiving.
Once I arrived at the lake and parked up on the ‘beach’ my friends were most envious when I pulled out of the Nomad, not only my skates and hockey stick but a chair, delicious soup, pumpkin bread and hot toddies in addition to all the extra warm clothing I would need now I had finally made it up the hill.
At the end of this most glorious afternoon I packed up the Nomad and sailed back down the road into town, a huge grin plastered over my face. I had turned this lemon of an early winter into the best tasting lemonade I have ever had in my life.
