In the Alps, along the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland there is a hiking route well-known among backpackers called the Tour du Mont Blanc.  

The trail is a 100+ mile route that completely circles the highest point in Europe, Mont Blanc.  It’s a great concept in that it allows you to spend time in the backcountry near a big mountain without having to deal with the special requirements of actually summiting.  Of course, being in Europe the route also features gourmet food and luxury accommodations courtesy of alpine “huts” along the route.

Well, last summer while chatting with the staff of Absolute Bikes, one of the guys mentioned that he had strung together a series of trails and dirt roads to create a mountain bike ride around Mount Antero here locally.  My interest was piqued.  I was familiar with most of the route from my climb of Mt. Antero a few years back and from various other hikes and rides I’d done in the area.  Stringing them all together into a loop would be straightforward, although the ride itself would be challenging.  At 26 miles, it’s not that long but the vertical gain of nearly 6,000 feet is a bit of an eye popper. The kind of all-day, backcountry outing that defines Colorado riding for me.

It’s been on my to-do list since that discussion last summer.  This past week the time seemed right to try my very own Tour du Mount Antero.  No gourmet food or luxury accommodations like Mont Blanc, but doable in a single day and no plane ride required.

Starting off at the Browns Creek trailhead.

Mt. Princeton and the Chalk Cliffs from the Colorado Trail.

Starting up Mt. Antero Road in Baldwin Gulch.

One of the more rideable sections of the road.

Baldwin Creek running next to the road.

Baldwin Creek crossing.

Are Ram trucks supposed to do that?

Oh, and you seem to have lost your camper.

 Cronin Peak from Mt. Antero road.

The view back down the road just before the switchbacks.

Top of the saddle at 13,100 feet with Antero’s summit to the north.

Mt. White to the southeast.

 Jones, Shavano and Tabeguache to the south.

Alpine wildflowers in bloom.

Fresh water, made daily.

The Arkansas River valley from the Little Browns Creek Trail.

Bottom of Little Browns Creek Trail.

And of course, the video: