CDT Day 80: Mt Zirkel, Elk River & Trail Creek

Daily Miles: 25.3, Total Miles: 1,319.1

I headed up to Lost Ranger Peak at just under 12,000 ft and crossing perhaps my last shrinking snowfields in Colorado. The ground is still soggy from the melt.

Then an almost 4,000 ft descent, leaving the Mt Zirkel Wilderness and crossing the Middle Fork Elk River.

I picked up the North Fork Elk River and followed it for several miles upstream before swinging west and climbing to the meadowy Trail Creek drainage.

A bit blustery this morning but cleared up. I met another rare CDT hiker, Slingshot.