Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (Salida to Del Norte)

Salida is a small town with lots of character. The houses are humble in size and varied in style, some with Mexican influence.

Marshall Pass was our 17th crossing of the Continental Divide. Note the rain gear - afternoon thunderstorms are still building every day.

Beavers are herbivores and build large dams, which create wetlands that provide habitat for many other species. The size of some of these dams is impressive!

Some more photos of autumn colours and Aspen forests. We must have taken hundreds!

While descending into Sargents, the sky looked ominous again....

..... and the rain hit two minutes after arriving at the Pub. We decided to rent the little cabin (visible in the background), rather than camping. 

The next morning was beautiful again!

Riding up to Cochetopa Pass and having lunch along the way.

Luders Creek Campground was gorgeous - in an Aspen forest, beautifully maintained and with a natural spring. Our neighbours invited us to red wine and snacks! Note the new tent - our old one was falling apart after many years of use. 

The descent into Del Norte took us past some amazing rock formations and impressive canyons. We got so distracted, that by the time we got to town it was almost dark.