June 7, 2025
Steamboat Springs - Ladder Ranch
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Our plan for an early departure from Steamboat Springs via the supermarket was going well until Gerry2 (Garmin 1030 nav device) shut down and refused to respond to any button holds or presses.
A quick trip to a sports shop for advice on how solve the problem without losing either stored route maps or ride history, more button pressing and consultation via Google, and Gerry 2 was lights on again. That is 2 strikes Gerry2; trust is being eroded!
We had a good recovery breakfast and finally left town around 1030. Our first 30km was up the beautiful Elk River Valley to Clark, and then on to Steamboat Lake for lunch.
Earlier in the week I had contacted Brush Mountain Lodge to arrange beds for Saturday night, but they were not yet open for the season. Without the incentive of BML, I felt no incentive to climb Mcfadden Peak, so we opted for the alternate route through Columbine. This was a lovely ride on really well smoothed roads.
We passed 3 Forks Ranch and considered asking if we could camp on their lawn - any of their several manicured lawns would have suited us (look them up, they do special 1 night packages, apparently)
We arrived at Ladder Ranch after 6, after all staff had left for a big party event in Baggs. Fortunately we were directed to a camping spot, with bathroom and hot shower, reserved for GDMBR and CDT travellers.
Ladder Ranch is a working ranch, with a summer staff of up to 20. In winter it is just the owners, and the stock are trucked out to less snowy pastures. In early summer, cows and calves are returned for fattening. It is a beautiful spot and the $10 each for the campsite is our best bargain yet!
Today's ride: 96 km (60 miles)
Total: 2,032 km (1,262 miles)
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