Mount Falcon Picnic Ride

June 9, 2013
Colorado USA

Finally summer-time temps in nothern Colorado! No rain in the forecast. We rolled out just before 11 am with a picnic lunch and absolutely no plan except to burn up some miles, get a good dose of sunshine and find a place to eat a sandwich somewhere down the road.

This was our day: Clear skies, warm temps, light winds, no sleeves! Everything is green and wildflowers are in bloom. Large motorcycle presence on every road.

We rolled south of course, angling our way through Loveland, bypassing busy Boulder, clipped the edge of Golden and traveled Heritage Road past Red Rocks to Morrison. Then we traveled a bit further south the Ken Carul area on the southwest side of Denver where we explored Deer Creek Canyon and rode Turkey Creek Road. We haven't ridden this area in several years now. Turkey Creek road is a gently winding road through rock outcroppings and forest. Just past Tiny Town (a collection of miniature buildings and a small railroad that began as an amusement for a child back in 1915) we decided to look for a picnic spot. This part of Turkey Creed Road lets out on Hwy 285 so we traveled that for a short time turning off on Parmalee Gulch Road. We decided Mount Falcon Park which we have visited only once sounded like a good spot. Mount Falcon is located in the Indian Hills area on Parmalee Gulch Road between Hwy 285 and Hwy 74. The park is a popular spot with several hiking trails. There's a great view of Denver from several vantage points. The park is designated as an open space so no picnic fee required. We picked a table sitting out on a point facing the mountains and munched on tuna fish salad sandwiches, chips, pickles, fruit and cookies.

Tim - Mount Falcon

Vik - Mount Falcon

After the picnic and a short stroll, we decided to it was time to make our way slowly home. There was a miniature traffic jam in Morrison. I believe they were gearing up for a concert at Red Rocks plus the tiny town is a mecca for Denverites, cyclists, bikers and more. We back-tracked on Heritage Road to Hwy 93 through Golden and back through Interlocken, stopping for gas, pepsi and ice cream sandwiches in Erie before rambling home through Berthoud.

Slide show of today's ride = 75 photos

Alternate link to this slide show
Once home, we drug the water hose around, sipped a couple of brews on the patio and grilled some country style ribs.

The odometer rolled over 45,000 miles on the 2010 Ultra today 51 miles from home. It was a good day to own a Harley.

Today's mileage = 203.9 miles