However, a call to the information number for Pikes Peak revealed that the road was only open to the first 13 of the 19 miles to the top. This ride would have to wait for another day.
Instead, I simply rode past the town of Parker on CO83, to the town of Franktown. Passing by the Harley Davidsons already gathered at the biker bar, I made a turn onto CO86 and started headed East out of town.
Turning South once more on Castlewood Canyon Road, I followed this familiar road into the Castlewood Canyon State Park's pine forest and dirt trail. This state park is home to several hiking trails for the hikers amongst you. The main man-made feature in this park is the Castlewood Canyon Dam, a dam that failed back in 1933.
Valencia at the failed Castlewood Canyon Dam
Leaving the Castlewood Canyon area, one rides along a pretty smooth dirt road bordering cattle farms to the left and small rock strewn hillsides to the right. This road does yield a great view of distant Pikes Peak though:
Along Castlewood Canyon Road, a panoramic view of Pikes Peak
Eventually, you reach CO11 which is also known as South Lake Gulch Road. I turned West towards its junction to CO82 aka Parker Road but not before taking a moment to pose Valencia once more with Pikes Peak in the background.
On Dahlberg Road
I rode home via Parker Road, the winds picking up by this time and along with the wind, the traffic as folks prepared for Easter Sunday. A short ride on a beautiful riding day here in Colorado. I hope you got a ride in as well.
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