Fall Mountain Drive

Hwy 34 is a nice fast road these days, especially early. We'll meet at 9:00 at the pretty Viestenz-Smith Park (bathrooms, yes!). The park turnoff is on the north side of Hwy 34, a right-turn entrance about 3.9 miles past the Dam Store that you'll pass as you enter the canyon from Loveland.  We leave from the park, continuing up Hwy 34 to Drake, then divert north onto quiet, twisty Hwy 43 to Glen Haven, and after a deliciously gooey cinnamon roll at the Glen Haven General Store, continue down 43, now called Devils Gulch Rd, with its steep little switchbacks. About a mile past the switchbacks, we'll hang a sharp left (east) on 'H Bar G Road,' then we'll take a right on Dry (not Devils) Gulch Road, following it south to reconnect with Hwy 34 just north of Lake Estes. That should help us to avoid some of the Estes Park traffic. We'll turn left (east) on Hwy 34 there, and take it east a few blocks to Mall Road, and then take Mall Rd south across Hwy 36, to Fish Creek Road, from which we can get to Hwy 7, the Peak to Peak Highway. and then the beautiful South St. Vrain Canyon down to Lyons. also designated as Hwy 7.  If you're counting on a cinnamon roll and there's a bunch, someone will call the Glen Haven General Store to reserve your rolls. Believe me, they're worth it. Much better than the 'famous' Johnson's Corner variety. Those rolls are really gooey. Take wipes, or prepare for a sticky wheel and shift knob.