Scouting a Future Bikepacking Overnighter in Keystone, Colorado

One of the things I enjoy most about bikepacking is that the adventure often begins long before an overnight trip. Sometimes it's simply getting outside to explore.

On this ride, my goal was threefold: enjoy a couple of hours in nature, spend some time acclimating to the altitude, and scout potential camping locations for a future overnighter. Although I've ridden the Keystone Recreation Path many times over the years, I'd never looked at it through the lens of bikepacking.

The day couldn't have been more inviting. Cool temperatures, overcast skies, and the promise of afternoon rain created the perfect backdrop for a peaceful ride. The sound of Soda Creek flowing alongside the trail, the towering trees, birds singing overhead, and mountain views in every direction made it easy to slow down and simply enjoy being there. It was also nice to see so many other people outside enjoying the day.

As with many scouting rides, I learned a few things. The camping area I had hoped might work wasn't open to camping after all. I also explored farther up Montezuma Road, but reaching the trails required more road riding than I prefer. For the kind of bikepacking I'm drawn to, I'd rather spend my time on gravel roads and mountain bike trails than pavement.

Even though I didn't find the overnight destination I was hoping for, the ride was far from a disappointment. Every ride teaches me something—sometimes about the route, sometimes about the gear, and sometimes simply about what feels right.

This one reminded me that the search itself is part of the adventure.

I hope you enjoy riding along.