I have 2 ordered, I'll post a review when I have a ride with it.

I just noticed some steel 20 tooth chainrings on ebay.  Has anyone used these or bought anything from this seller?  I've been using the actiontec ring, but it's worn out & I think the steel would last longer & is much cheaper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHAIN-RING-SPROCKET-MOUNTAIN-20T-TOOTH-64-BCD-STAINLESS-/330571464402?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf7983ed2

+1 on the gravity filter.
I used a sawyer bottle w/ a filter inside, and also had the fittings to use it as a gravity filter.   

I don't think there is another way.  I think the only alternative is to drop off the ridge and ride roads.

I've tried going w/ 1 pair of shorts and washing them out everyday, but found that taking 2 pair gives more options.  More time to dry, an extra pair for the pillow bag, & the option to not wash everyday.

I think this is great.   Ignore those people looking for a slicker online viewable format.  The fancy stuff is flaky and doesn't always work & when it does it can be slow.  The PDF is pretty nice.  Basic html would probably be fine as an option for those who want an online view.

There are advantages to a hard tail, but for me I wouldn't consider it for the CT.  There's enuf rough stuff to make FS worthwhile.   I recall a post from a CT racer who said that it was very demoralizing to have to walk a downhill in the Cochetopa hills.  I think I know the section he was talking about & I'm not sure I could have ridden that long loose section of baby heads on a hardtail either.  Pivot 429 rocks for this kind of ride.

No responses because we're all scratching our heads and no one can think of a moderate CO bikepacking route.  Maybe a mostly dirt road ride like the CT bypass around the south side of Lost Creek Wilderness?  The best recommendation i have for you to make her not hate you is for you to carry almost all the gear

Nice setup. 
Which direction did you do ring the peak?  It's on my list & I'm wondering which is the best way.

Thanks Jeremy,
That really stinks that they close those trails to bikes, even if they're not good rides.   Some of the nat forests keep all trails open to bikes unless they're wilderness, some like Gunnison, have their head up their butt.   It looks like the south side is better anyway.

I'm definitely waiting a couple of weeks,  But planning on July1.  Hopefully not too much snow by then.  You're 1st pic with the snow isn't from this yr is it?

No sleeping bag though. just a 3.5oz Adventure Medical bivy inside a Rei bivy with pad and 2oz AM "groundsheet". Adding in my tarp and stakes the whole sleep kit is 1lb11oz. I made it the last 2 years with a similar setup but no tarp. I would not recommend it for everyone though- I resort to tricks and Les Stroud- style techniques to stay warm at times.

Don't you sweat inside the adventure Medical bivy?   I tried that or it might have been one of there blankets, as an extra layer over my light bag once and in the morning there was a large amount of condensation on the inside of the bivy. 

I'm looking at  some possibilities to do a 2 or 3 nite loop on seg 22 & 23 of the CT.
1) North side, out of Lake City.  Up to Spring Creek ps, CT seg 22 & 23.  Then wondering about dropping down Cuba Gulch or Cataract Creek.   Does anybody know anything about these trails?  Or Maggie Gulch or Minnie Gulch, but then I'd have to add miles of road & cinnamon pass.
2) South side.  Lost Trail Creek, N Clear Crk, Buck Crk, west on CT, W fork pole crk, & back to start.  Or reverse direction.

Anybody have any info or experience on these trails?  I ridden the CT, but I'm looking for info on the other trails.  I know sometimes a trail is shown on a map & there is next to nothing there.  Thanks

Nice setup.  What kind of bars are those?  Brakes?  I'm looking for ideas for a rebuild on my travellers check.

I used one inline in the water bottle last year, It works great.   No wasted time pumping, just fill up and ride.  I had a bladder too and gravity fed the filter in camp.
http://www.bikepacking.net/tripreports/colorado-trail-2/

I'll echo the last post.  I think the optimal setup for single track bikepacking is full suspension, rackless.   The downhills are still fun.   Some combination of frame pack, giant seat pack, gear strapped to the handlebar, a little on your back.   You'll only need a little more air in your shocks, & if it's too much hassle to mess w/ for an unloaded day, just leave it alone.   I think pulling a trailer would be less fun and more work unless.   Even on the road I'd vote for panniers over a trailer.

I don't know the route, hopefully someone else will respond w/ better info.  In general mid may is way early for colorado passes. For single track,  mid June about the earliest, but usually too early.  Sometimes there's still a lot of snow July 1.  Some of the paved roads don't get opened until Memorial Day.

I've used the topeak microshock.  Good enuf in a pinch & very light.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/microshock

You're using the foam blocks aren't you?  I don't recall the gear ever getting in the way of the brake levers, I probably readjusted a little after the picture.  Keep at it, I struggled w/ it at 1st too, but once I got it figured out it worked really well.   

Here's my setup.  The  closeups only show the harness, but I put the bag on there too, under the brake lines.  I couldn't (& didn't want to) pack the bag full).  I had to rotate my brakes a little to give more clearance.

I'm using the Toepeak MicroShock.  Very light since it has no gage.  Seems to work OK.  If I had a leaky fork or shock that needed constant attention I wouldn't take it, but for occasional use it good enuf.