Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
A Night on the Continental Divide (Video)
Our friend Justin McKinley recently pedaled up onto the Continental Divide to spend a night in a cozy mountain hut with friends. Find his short video from their winter bikepacking overnighter with a set of still photos and more details about their trip here…
Words, photos, and video by Justin McKinley
Three of us embarked on an overnight bikepacking trip where we traversed thigh-deep snow in search of a mountain hut nestled just off the Continental Divide. Colorado’s wintery landscape was beautiful and intimidating for our small group as we raced the sunset to the rustic refuge.
As daylight dwindled, we reached the tree line, adding another level of urgency. The thought of navigating through deep snow and deadfall at night made me uneasy. We arrived at the hut with only the smallest amount of daylight remaining. By this time, we had been on the move for five hours and were all looking forward to getting warm and dry. Stuffing the wood stove was the first order of business. Soon, the stove crackled and cast a warm glow that thawed our frozen limbs. We filled a steel bucket atop the stove with snow to melt water we could later drink. In between hands of Uno, we shared tales of conquering snowdrifts, and steaming mugs of hot cocoa and tea sealed our sense of accomplishment.
We spent the night in the snug confines of the hut, surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks and pines. The wood stove’s comforting heat contrasted with the icy world outside. Each gust of wind and creak of the hut was a reminder of nature’s power.
Our trio woke up to outside temperatures in the single digits the following day. We made the most of our cozy cabin by moving slowly, making breakfast, and consuming several cups of coffee. Reluctantly, we geared up for the return trip, facing more hike-a-bike through the deep snow.
Thankfully, we were set to reap the rewards of the previous day’s climbing and had a 2,000-foot descent waiting for us over the next 10 miles. Our trail from the previous day’s effort was littered with the tracks of animals capitalizing on the packed path, and each step and pedal stroke added to our feelings of accomplishment. Before too long, we were back at the trailhead.
We concluded our expedition with shared trials and triumphs that solidified our friendship. The 25-hour trip became a testament to our collective resilience and shared love for adventure. It’s the kind of kinship that can only be forged through doing hard things together.
Further Reading
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
Share This
