This was suppose to be the most difficult day of climbing on the trip and it most certainly lived up to its reputation. When we started out it was cool, but I warmed up just fine on the rollers and the mile long uphill grades. We crossed the Continental Divide before checkpoint, it was a little unassuming as the DRG suggested, but an accomplishment at 6,000 feet.
We finally arrived at checkpoint, in the middle of nowhere, right next to this huge copper mine. It was really awful to think of this monster gaping hole in the ground, but it was really pretty, the ridges and the subtle cascading colors – I stared at it for a long time leaving long after the people I arrived with.
After checkpoint was the “meat” of the day – uphill for seven + miles. I met up with Jeff at this point and we cycled together for most of the climb, it was nice to have someone to talk to. The grade wasn’t so terrible, but combined with the previous days, it became a long grind. I saw signs that we were on a bike race route, I couldn’t imagine racing up this. Parts of the climb were in a pretty canyon that was shady and cooler. Mo, one of the sag drivers, insisted on keeping our water bottles filled for this whole climb. I didn’t want any more weight to carry, it was hard enough pedaling and we weren’t that far away from tonight’s lodging. When I wouldn’t stop she took the bottle from me as I was riding, filled it and drove forward to catch me so I could have my water without stopping.
I finally made it to the top of Emory Pass at 8,228 feet, the highest point on the trip. The observation area was only a quarter mile off the route, so I climbed the few extra feet to get to the viewpoint and took some pictures of the awesome sight. All that was left was the downhill to the lodge, it should have been more relaxing, but the wind was really blowing. On almost every corner I slowed practically down to a stop and braced against the wind, trying to stay upright as the wind blew me sideways to the edge of the road.
Finally into Black Range Lodge – very funky – we were sleeping all over the place – beds, couches, floors – not much space at all. The food was excellent! Lasagne, salad and wine, they grow most of their own food so its all very fresh and wonderful.
84.6 miles - 7,850 feet of climbing