I really needed to get out and about, so I headed off solo to check out the conditions on Red Cone and Webster Pass. I loaded up this morning, shut the door, and was unstrapping in 42 minutes. One of the only reasons I stayed this close to home was that it was a weekday morning, and I knew it would be slow up there.

Staging. The road is getting bad with HUGE potholes, so the sooner on the quad, the better.

I decided to hit Red Cone first. I wanted to hit the rough stuff while I was still fresh.

I think I was on 3 wheels for most of the first couple of miles.

Coming out of the trees.

The last stretch to the top of Red Cone.

Looking down into Handcart Gulch.

You can see Webster Pass, and Radical Hill in the background. Both still blocked by snow.

The drift on Webster.

The drift on Radical Hill.

Looking to my office, Mt. Evans. With my telephoto, you can make out the Crest House and Observatory. They are the bumps on the top of the ridge to the right of center.

Since I couldn't make it back down to HWY285 by dropping down Red Cone, I turned around and back-tracked so I could see the drift on Webster in person.

Some Alpine Sunflowers (Old man of the mountain). If you are not good with directions, the head of the flowers always face east, away from the prevailing wind. 

Back to treeline.

Down in the rocks. The trail was pretty dry. Very few puddles.

The last downhill section of Red Cone before the short cut over to Webster.

I'm glad I did Red Cone first beacuse Webster is WAY more smooth, and I could really fly.

Where Remy and I turned back in March.

Climbing to tree-line.

The first switchback. Red Cone in the distance.

Blow-out a bit higher.

End of the road. BIG drift.

While I was hanging out at the drift, I heard some crazy prop engines, and 3 USAF planes came in low in the valley and buzzed my head. I waved, and the last plane shook his wings side-to-side. Pretty cool.

After a 6-point turn, I started to make my way back down. I almost forgot this little obstacle.

Webster is going to be TIGHT for vehicles this season. Some wildflowers on the way down.

Following a little stream down the last switchback.

The "moss" mine. I went in a little bit and ended up soaked.

Lunch. So nice and quiet. Not a soul around.

Since no one was around, I fired off some rounds and collected my brass.

Pond at the normal staging area.

Loaded up and headed out.

A GREAT DAY!!!! NO ONE OUT. I only saw one dirt-biker by himself while I was heading back to the truck. I wanted to go up Hall Valley, but did not want to push my luck as I was by myself and things had been going so smooth. No worries, I'll be back...on a weekday!!!