Buford - New Castle Road summit(u)
This summit is the most aerobic way for a cyclist to cross
the White River Plateau, a densely forested, unpopulated,
high plateau between the Colorado River and White River.
The Buford - New Castle Road does not follow the edge of
the plateau, and as such, has only a few vantage points on
the scenery below. The main hint that you just climbed 300
feet more than from Aspen to Independence Pass are the
legs. The point of highest altitude may also be reached by
a variety of smaller tracks. The profile shows the
traversal of the main road in its entirety. Unlike earlier
years, the entire distance is fairly smooth, hard dirt
(Oct/05).
This summit is not named or marked on maps. But its status
as a high plateau road is confirmed by road signs on
county route 8 (Flat Top Road) leaving Meeker. The
Buford - New Castle road is included in the closed/open
signs, concerning the various dirt road passes, leaving
the White River Valley near Meeker.
click on profile for more detail
|
01.(5560ft,mile00) START-END SOUTH:
New Castle, turn up Grass Valley road, heading north
on the west end of town.
02.(5700ft,mile02) road following East Elk Creek
leaves on right, stay left.
03.(5800ft,mile04) road following Main Elk Creek
leaves on right, stay left
04.(5910ft,mile05) New Castle - Buford road leaves
on right, go right.
05.(6410ft,mile08) left goes back to Harvey Gap
summit(u); stay straight
06.(9470ft,mile24) Triangle Park area; left fork
descends towards Rifle; stay right
07.(9900ft,mile30) right leads to Meadow Lake
campground; stay straight
08.(10097ft,mile30) TOP: Buford - New Castle Road
summit(u)
09.(6990ft,mile43) START-END NORTH: continuing
straight leads to Buford. But profile continues left
towards Meeker.
10.(6910ft,mile44) START-END NORTH ALTERNATE: bridge
across White River. Left leads to Meeker, right to
Buford.
|
 Approaches
From South. After leaving New Castle, Buford road
diverts from the road to Harvey Gap, by climbing towards the
eastern edge of Grass Valley. The road leaves Grass Valley by
following a densely forested side valley. Views of the Grand
Hogback remain obscured behind a low ridge. After a persistent
steep climb to the edge of the plateau, a vista on Roan
Plateau opens to the west. This is the best view along the
route, unless time is taken to explore other side routes. But
the work out is far from over at this point. The plateau
rolls, trending upwards. The highest point offers no grabbing
views on the first take. During a second view in late fall,
Clark Ridge in the distance may hint at its surprising
altitude, by forming a ruler straight hairline of snow on the
horizon to the east.
From South. The town of Buford is a small store,
selling hunting supplies, and lately supplies for regular
tourists, things like gasoline, soda and potato chips. This
side of the White River Plateau is far removed from the I70
thoroughfare traffic on the other side. Passing drivers tend
to be clad in orange, at least during fall. This is hunting
central. The wildly curving road gives a few glimpses of the
maze of plateau cliffs in northern Colorado, framed by trees
along the road, as it steadily climbs to the summit.
 Tours
Three Day Tour (dirt roads and pavement): A
three day tour that includes the Buford New Castle road,
utilizing national forest land for overnight camping is as
follows: day 1: New Castle > New Castle Buford road
summit(u) > east of Buford; 59 miles. day 2: east of
Buford > Ripple Creek Pass
> Dunkley Pass > south of
Toponas, 69 miles. day 3: south of Toponas > Colorado River
Road summit(u) > New Castle, 73 miles. All mileages
measured with a mechanical onboard odometer (m1:95.0813-15).
Two Day Tour ( dirt roads and pavement ): Here is
also two day loop between New Castle and Meeker: day 1: Meeker
> Dick's Pass > Rifle >
New Castle, 76 miles with 4160ft of climbing in 5.4 hours.
This includes about 15 extra miles of extra riding in 1.5
hours and ~500ft of elevation gain. day 2: New Castle >
this summit > Meeker, 69 miles with 5600ft of climbing
(m3:05.10.15,16)
back to
Colorado Pass Tables Page
|
