CDT Day 79: Rabbit Ears & Mt Zirkel Wilderness

Daily Miles: 25.4, Total Miles: 1,293.8

It took me three different hitches to get near Rabbit Ears Pass but was still on the trail by 8:30am.

Lots of lakes, forests and meadows but not a lot of elevation gain until reaching Mount Zirkel Wilderness in the afternoon. The landscape changed rather dramatically as I started climbing with rocky crags, huge granite slabs and boulders, hummocky meadows, yellow flowers and great views to the valley below.

High cloudiness turned to sprinkles turned to sunshine late in the afternoon.

I camped just beyond and above Lake Elbert. I enjoyed the best sunset of the hike thus far from the luxury of my tent.