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Cameron grew up with me in Maine and moved to Leadville at almost the same time that I moved to Aspen last summer.  With Independence Pass closed in the winter, I didn't see much of Cameron during the ski season.  (His visit after doing the Grand Traverse doesn't count because he was so wiped out.)  We decided a great way to meet up would be to ride the Monarch Crest Trail.  Although the official season doesn't open until July 4, several websites said the entire route was rideable except for some sections of snow.

We were joined by Cameron's fiancé, Erin, and his college friend, Christopher.  Christopher was taking a break from his Arborary co-op in New Orleans by taking a road trip.  His stops included mountaineering in the Tetons and he wanted to add mountain biking in Colorado to the list.  Cameron and I grew up mountain biking together and have been joined by Erin the past few summers.

We shuttled up to Monarch Pass and began riding before 10:00 a.m.  The sun was out in full force and it was hot, even as we climbed up to almost 12,000 feet.  By 10:45 the clouds were building, 11:00 there was a sprinkling of rain, and at 11:15 the lightning began.  We were high on an exposed ridge, but the trail was so spectacular that we weren't bothered by the light drizzle and distant booming of thunder.  The buffed-out singletrack seemed to go on forever as we ascended and descended, making our way over Mitchell Pass and below treeline.