CDT Day 70: Vasquez Peak & Mt Flora

Daily Miles: 24.5, Total Miles: 1,146.3

I entered Vasquez Peak Wilderness and followed the Divide a few miles before heading east across another knife’s edge trail. Dropped down to an alpine valley and then climbing barren Stanley Mountain at 12,500 ft.

I dropped down to busy Berthoud Pass for lunch – lots of day hikers enjoying a beautiful day. Bathrooms were good but no water – a nice gentleman took me to his car and gave me a couple of ice-cold water bottles to tide me over.

Climbed to the top of Mount Flora at 13,100 ft and then descended down very rocky switchbacks. I passed ice-filled Ethel Lake, Bill Moore Lake, and then down to Fall River.

Topped up on water and started another long climb to James Peak in the James Peak Wilderness, passing dramatic Loch Lomond with a beautiful waterfall. After a long, long day, I stopped at a stream that may be the last water for awhile.