Zero in Lake City

• Day:  68
• Start:  982
• End:  982
• Miles:  0
• Hours:  
• High temp:  82
• Low temp:  44
• People met:  too many to count

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Nice spot for a salad with chicken

The morning aroma of bacon and eggs wrapped together in an omelet greets me at the Lake City Cafe. Laundry is next door at the small cabin motel. My resupply boxes are here so I sort my food and lace up my GorTex boots. A trip to the grocery store for new water bottles, I use sports drink bottles getting new ones at every resupply. Review my maps for the next section and upload the rest of my journal. Ahhh, relax a moment with now work of walking. 

The Raven's Rest

Now that's a real boardwalk 

Nice little town  

They have an ice cream fountain, coffee shake mmmmm. 

Yert?

• Day:  67
• Start:  953
• End:  982
• Miles:  29
• Hours:  13
• High temp:  68
• Low temp:  37
• People met:  too many to count

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Leaving my ridge top camp

A light breeze buffeted my tent all night keeping the overall wetness at bay, with the exception of the rain fly.  

On Sunday a Colorado Trail bike race started which means now there are bikes on the trail increasing the people I'm seeing. I'll be seeing the all the CT folks for the next 110 miles or so. 

The trail this morning is mostly downhill allowing me to make good time. The entire day should be above the timberline, allowing for great unencumbered views. 

There are ups and downs, but for the most part the trail Iike hiking through a meadow

Little patches of snow here and there, none of which are a problem. 

I find a likely group of rocks with what looks like some sustained sun, I'll dry my gear here. 

Looking up I notice a moose about 1000' ahead and down slope from me. This behemoth has a full rack and is nonchalantly enjoying a meal. Just back on the trail a little weasel jumps on the trail in front of me scurrying madly with his little black tipped tail straight up.  Further down the trail I see the moose has another bull feeding with him, truly an enjoyable sight.

Now it's time to start the big climb of the day to the highest point in the CT.  I have to manage water for about 12 miles, not hard but need to know that's how far. 

Got to finish this valley then climb the mountain beyond

On the top!

Mostly a downhill run now. I'm planning on camping about 8 miles from the highway at a yert. I should have cell phone coverage there, plus my tent won't get wet. 

The striking red mountain is called Red Cloud. The lake is Christobal. Lake City is close to the north end but around the bend out of sight. 

Well the yert is occupied and it's only 1600 hrs. I'll just hike until I get tired or arrive at the highway. 

Yert

A short walk through the forest

Need to cross this open field, most if which is rocks. 

The rocky field is finished and I'm now only 2.2 miles from the trailhead and a possible dinner in town. I get a ride almost immediately arriving in town in time to eat dinner, get a bunk and shower at the Raven's Rest hostel.  A high mile hiking day but very well worth the effort. 

Rain

• Day:  66
• Start:  930
• End:  953
• Miles:  23
• Hours:  12
• High temp:  66
• Low temp:  37
• People :   ~30

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I heard his song about 0400 in the morning, the coyote was maybe 50' from me. His song was complex, wavering and changing in cadence very enjoyable. I dozed back to sleep after he was finished. While I did not awaken to the sound of rain last night, it did rain. This mornings sky is almost completely overcast, rain in the forecast. 

The trail and the foliage is wet, rain gear today for sure. I've been following a dude horse tour for a couple of days. Horses aren't the best on soft trails, they make a quagmire of muddy spots, dislodge rocks, create new paths and of course leave the inevitable droppings. I actually passed them this morning, they were still in their camp preparing for the day. I noticed the improved trail immediately, ahhh.   Well I stopped at Hunchback Pass to rest and dry my gear in the brief window of sunshine.  Here come the horses, dang. The good thing is they will be getting off trail at Silverton, not too far away. 

At least they were friendly 

Heading on I see some strange figures on a ridge ahead. Up pops the llamas head and I know now what to expect.  Three fellows from Tennessee are backpacking the Colorado Trail with rented llamas. 

So I buy a llama

Just kidding.  Interestingly the CDT has now merged with the Colorado Trail. The CT is extremely popular as now I seen so many hikers I've lost count of them. This section of the CDT/CT is better cared for, so hiking is more pleasurable. 

Reminds me of a Microsoft screen saver

And the rain returns 

Beautiful contrast the blue gray rock and the green grass

While the trail is always up and down this afternoons trail was more like the South San Juans, high mountain meadow hiking above the forests. 

Almost done for the day, the clouds are breaking up and the horizon is looking favorable for a clear sky later, perhaps tomorrow.  I select a camp site on a ridge just at 13,000', I expect it to be colder, but less wet, unless it rains. 

A promise for a fair day hiking tomorrow'

Beaver Dams

• Day:  65
• Start:  907
• End:  930
• Miles:  23
• Hours:  12.5
• High temp:  72
• Low temp:  39
• People met:  13

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This morning first climb

The Notch is in the video

The sound of the rain gently tapping on my rain fly lulls me to sleep. Not a hard or long rain but a nice soft rain for just a little while. Nice because it's not enough rain to make the trail muddy.  Nonetheless I start out with rain gear to avoid the foliage water. I hike through the lower forest up into the sunny slopes without trees.  I marvel at the different rocks each mountain has, so close but so different. 

Lots of ups and downs today. The trail is in better shape than yesterday.  I look across the expanse at the far mountains wondering if I will be by them, it turns out I will and today. There is a distinctive one that has a notch, I'll be crossing by it later today, I'm amazed. 

I enjoy a break at a clear babbling brook. I spread my gear out to dry then gather water. I use the Sawyer squeeze water filter, easy to use. 

A nice spot for a break

So I descend along a creek and discover a classic beaver pond with the mound in the pond. 

Classic beaver pond

Just down the trail is a bigger beaver pond, these guys are busy. No beaver sighting though, they might be nocturnal. 

A huge dam 

Just a little further done the trail is a huge pile of trees. I figure these beavers are pretty darn big. 

These beavers are monsters

Not really beavers, but a timber pile left from an avalanche. 

Avalanche damage

The trail crosses a large meadow and then up a climb to the notched mountain I saw earlier today so far away. 

The clouds are building for thunder showers. I rest and watch the animated clouds move across the sky like so many crazy looking cartoon circus animals.  It appears the thunderheads are forming close but to the northeast, so I think I'm safe again today. 

Thunderhead building behind me 

The trail is decomposed rock

I make my last descent for the day into a verdant valley filled with lakes. The trail on this side Is a decomposed volcanic rock that make a pleasant crunchy sound when walked upon. 

I've got to locate a dry place to camp in this moisture filled valley.  I find a nice spot amoung some flat rocks with dry moss, making a very cushy camp site. 

Looking back to where I've been

As I write this journal I'm watching the sky changing, here is the best part of the sunset tonight. 

Now that's fire in the sky, a Colorado Rocky Mountain High

The Knife Edge

• Day:  64
• Start:  886
• End:  907
• Miles:  21
• Hours:  11
• High temp:  65
• Low temp:  39
• People met:  4

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Nice Marmot 

The russeling of the grass on my pants and the soft creak of my pack are the only sounds I hear as I start the morning hike. In short order a courious marmot poses for my camera. The sky is almost completely overcast this morning, good to hike in but not sure if it means rain.  The green mountain sides are back, making for a splendid walk. 

A unique outcrop

Beautiful flowers guide my way

Sometimes the trail goes through rock flows

The trail is slow today with many rocks, some sections are really dry creek beds with nothing but rocks. My feet protest at the constant rock walking and yearn for a clean trail. 

An amazing cairn, a lot of work to build

I enjoy the bright sun lite spots

The beginning of the knife edge

The knife edge is a trail on a steep slope, always a concern if snow is still present. No snow today making for an enjoyable walk. 

The knife edge

More knife edge

The trail descends for a long time all in a rocky washed out trail. A rushing stream appears next to the trail so I stop for water, making sure I have plenty for morning. I'm hoping that I will be able to find a suitable level spot to camp. I'm planning on the bottom of the descent. Right at the pass the trail flattens out and I find a level well drained spot. Thought I might hike more but it's up hill from here, so I better stay. Another great day in the Rockies.

Squaw Pass