Mountain Madness Preview

DAY 5– BLACK MESA – BLUE MESA - POWDERHORN
Thursday June 23, Hotchkiss to Lake City (114 Miles)
The route today follows the north rim of the Black Canyon, skirts Blue Mesa Reservoir and ends in Lake City, home of Colorado’s most famous cannibal, Alfred Packer. The road from Hotchkiss rolls gently through Crawford (Joe Cocker, the musician, owns the only bar in town) before climbing up to the top of Black Mesa which forms the North Rim of the Black Canyon. Enjoy spectacular glimpses of the canyon over the next 20 miles, but don’t over cook the turns on the descent while gawking at the scenery. Cross the canyon at Blue Mesa Dam and ride along Colorado’s longest reservoir for the next 17 miles. After the reservoir, the road climbs and descends over Nine-Mile and Powderhorn hills before gradually climbing up to Lake City.
Towns and traffic are sparse in this part of Colorado. Don’t miss any opportunities to eat or fill up a water bottle.

The principal difficulties of the day will be Black Mesa (9,130 ft.), Nine-Mile Hill (8,957 ft.), and Powderhorn Hill (8,934 ft.). Accommodations in Lake City are at the Silver Spur Motel near the historic town square and within walking distance of restaurants and saloons.

Below you will find a view from Keyhole showing the start of the day at the bottom (with a larger pushpin) and the end of the day at the top (with a smaller pushpin).

*** Note These Satellite Photos and Maps are Only Suggestive of Our Route ***

*** Note These Satellite Photos and Maps are Only Suggestive of Our Route ***

*** Note These Satellite Photos and Maps are Only Suggestive of Our Route ***