Down the other side, the trail fairly quickly turns into what is basically just a rough gravel road. And over this surface, the Fox Racing shocks really shone. I felt like I was driving a trophy truck. It was like showing up to a track day in a fully prepped Spec Miata and it turns out it was put on by a Miata club that is more interested in tours and polishing their cars. Luckily, most Jeeps are equipped with functioning rear view mirrors. Many side by sides are not, it appears.
Anyhow, made it down to Lake City. It looked like Sturgis during Bike Week, there were Jeeps everywhere. Unbelievably busy. I decided to finish the Alpine Loop and run over Cinnamon Pass, which is a pretty easy drive that starts off really pretty. But before I got too far, I saw a sign for Carson. I'd only been up there once, when I went over Cinnamon with my parents in 2002.
Hasn't changed all that much.
I love the weathered timber. I have a tendency to take pictures of textures like this and forget about stuff like, you know, mountains. This town only lasted about 20 years.
Alas, Carson may not remain as it is for much longer.
By this time, it was getting a little later than I'd originally planned. The Cinnamon side trip was making for a long day. So I stepped up the pace a bit and put that Fox Racing suspension to work. But it wasn't without appreciating the trail - the aspen are already turning on the Lake City side of the mountains.
Finally I got close to the top of Cinnamon Pass. This is a gorgeous vista and I finally got some of the trail to myself.