CDT Day 71: James Peak & Indian Peaks Wilderness

ByPurple Haze Posted on

Daily Miles: 26.3, Total Miles: 1,172.6

The wind was horribly consistent last night. A few guy cords came off the tent stakes, my tent/hiking pole semi-collapsed and I found myself wrapped in my tent like a mummy.

I finished the climb to James Peak and enjoyed the views but didn’t stick around long. The wind had a cold bite to it that early in the morning.

View from James Peak

I headed down to Rogers Pass and ridge walked at around 12,000 ft for eight miles. Dropped another 2,000 ft and weaved in and out of Indian Peaks Wilderness, crossing several streams. I leapfrogged with Boomerang, Sunshine and Uberdude.

Aptly named Iceberg Lake

Several miles, another 2,000 descent and dusk found me at Arapaho Creek just south of Monarch Lake.

King Lake above Rollins Pass

Mozzies got so annoying I had to break out my headnet for the first time on the CDT. However, not before I got bit on the lip which instantly swelled, making it a struggle to blow up my NeoAir mattress. I found myself a dinner short so snacked on an energy bar and dried apricots.