Yesterday I watched the radar and it looked like 2pm was a good time to head out. Cascade Creek is a fun road off Squaw Pass that takes you to the top of Saxon Mountain, and you descend to Georgetown. I did that route early summer with Michael Howard on the big bikes and it was the hardest thing I’d done to date on the 800gs. With all the rain we’ve been getting this summer (like every single day), the steep sections are in even worse condition and its gone from Advanced for a big bike to Expert. I’m glad I was on the 450. After a double shot of espresso in Georgetown, I head to Argentine Pass, which is an out-and-back pass off of Guanella pass. You get to 13270’ to a spot where you see Grays and Torrey’s from the east side over a huge valley. The views are incredible. Argentine would be tough on a big bike- it’s loose in some steeper sections and the switchback above treeline would be pretty engaging. It was engaging enough on the 450. The aspens in Clear Creek County are popping! If you wait till after next weekend to go, you’ll miss them.
Beauty!
Wowoza
Looks like a great ride!
Keep us updated on your relationship with the Kove 
It’s got 1050 miles on it now. No issues. I still can’t believe how good the suspension is. It’s still ridiculously loud, but I’m used to that. All the power is from 7k-10k RPM, so I don’t have to worry about whiskey throttle in the hard stuff. It tractors pretty well, but not great. I might try dropping a tooth on the front sprocket to make it better suited to the really hard stuff. I’m super happy with the purchase and I can’t think of a better bike for my favorite type of riding.
I’ve never ridden there. I need to add it to my short list before we get snowed out
Looks like a nice ride. Brave for hitting Argentine. I stay away from Guanella in the fall, the leaf peepers are dangerous! I once dropped an R1200GSA on the above tree line switchback up there. Lifting that back up took everything I had.