Southwest Day 8: Sapinero to Cimarron Campground

August 31, 2021. 20 miles, 1673 ft of climbing.

Today was a short day of riding. I thought about trying to leave early to get through the construction zone with minimal traffic, but I was enjoying the cabin too much. Plus, traffic on 50 hadn’t ever been that heavy so I figured I would take my chances. Turned out to be just fine.

The day started with 6 miles of uphill before the construction site. This had a great shoulder and great views.

The construction zone started near the top of the first major hill. It turned out to be no trouble to get through. Like Monarch Pass, it would have been a lot worse if I were going the other way. For me, most of the construction zone was down hill, and there were only a few cars that passed me. It’s definitely quite the endeavor they have going. I think they are widening the road, but they are doing so through a canyon such that it involves blasting quite a bit of rock.

After the construction zone was another climb and then a wonderful 10 mile downhill to get to Cimarron.

Cimarron has basically nothing but a campground and a tiny store. And a staple that gave me my first flat tire of the trip. But the flat tire happened right as I was scanning the campsites for the best one. Since I was early, I got a good one. I walked to the store for something cold to drink, leisurely fixed the flat tire, set up camp and caught up on blog entries. Not a bad day.

Tomorrow is another short day as I’m heading about 20 miles to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison campground. I think there’s a fair bit of climbing though, and it might rain in the afternoon, so an early start and short day might be a good idea.