The ride up Ptarmigan Pass was pretty easy and it looked like a popular spot for the ATV crowd. I never imagined that I would end up motorcycle camping with a shepherd in the Rocky Mountains. It was one of the most memorable experiences I had on my ride through Colorado.
Riding Solo | Colorado | Episode 5
Details
- Distance: 7 miles
- Location: Colorado
- Start: Camp Hale
- End: Ptarmigan Pass
- Roads: Resolution Creek Road
- Conditions: dirt road, graded, embedded rocks
- Cities: Eagle-Vail, Colorado
- Camping: White River National Forest
Ptarmigan Pass is located south of Interstate 70 between Vail and Frisco, Colorado. I rode up to the top of the pass in the summer of 2021 while filming a Riding Solo motorcycle series in Colorado. The road to the top of the pass begins at the Camp Hale National Historic Site which was a WWII mountain warfare training center in Colorado. The road is approximately seven miles to the top of the pass is generally easy riding on an unpaved surface. Of course conditions can change and it would not be possible to do this ride in any season other than summer.
Beautiful Green Pastures
Approaching the summit I was surrounded by forested hills which gave way to beautiful green pasture lands near the top. The sense of freedom that I experienced as I approached the top of the mountain was exhilerating.
A Herd of Sheep on Ptarmigan Pass
Upon my arrival at the top of the pass I encountered a large parking area and a herd of several hundred sheep being tended to by a shepherd. This is not something I expected to see and my delight was sufficient to decide that I would spend the night at this location.
The Shepherd
After striking up a conversation with the shepherd I learned that he was from Mexico and spends about 8 months out of the year performing his duties in this beautiful and rugged mountain environment.
Sheepherder Trailer on Mountain Summit
His lodging consisted of a small trailer with simple accommodations including a bed, wood stove and propane.
The Shepherd in the Saddle
The shepherd allowed me to do some filming of him and his sheep as he went about his work attending to the flock from the saddle of his horse.
Motorcycle Camping on Ptarmigan Pass
I shared a drink with the sheepherder and prepared a simple meal at my campsite before bedding down for the evening. I never imagined that I would spend my night motorcycle camping with a shepherd in the Rocky Mountains!
Leaving Ptarmigan Pass in the Morning
In the morning I attempted the road further to the north, along Wearyman Creek, which was extremely difficult and ultimately impassible.