CDT Day 66: Kokomo & Searle Passes

Daily Miles: 17.5, Total Miles: 1,074.4

I couldn’t get to the PO until today because of the holiday. The good news is that this allowed enough time for a big breakfast this morning. Pat drove us to Tennessee Pass and we were on the trail by 10am.

All downhill for the first six miles until past Camp Hale which was full of very noisy and hungry sheep. Had a nice lunch break at a waterfall on East Fork Eagle River.

Very threatening skies turned more friendly as we started the 3,000 ft climb to Kokomo Pass, following Cataract Creek much of the way. Postcard 360-degree views of Mount Massive, Holy Cross and down to Climax Mine.

Dipped down into a wet alpine meadow, popped over Searle Pass, and followed Guller Creek downstream until we finally found a flat spot for our tents.

Pat picked a nice section to join me for his longest hiking day, and not even a blister. Thanks for sharing that fine flask of Stranahans!