CT Day 10: San Isabel NF & Holy Cross Wilderness

Daily Miles: 17.6, Total Miles: 156.5

I didn’t really want to get up this morning, tough to put on wet hiking clothes when it’s already chilly. What forced the issue is I definitely have a leak in my air mattress. My butt and hips were hitting the ground by morning.

On the plus side, clear skies – nice way to start the day! A brisk climb continued up the South Fork Eagle drainage to Tennessee Pass on Hwy 24, the last few miles on what seemed to be on an old railroad grade. When on the CDT, I hitched into Leadville from Tennessee Pass.

This time I continued, hiking southeast into the San Isabel National Forest. With some elevation gain, I entered Holy Cross Wilderness. A beautiful hike high along the side of the Divide.

I met Coach, a fellow thru-hiker who also has a CT trail journal and hails from Arizona. Nice to finally meet you, Coach!

A nice campsite near the Timberline Lake TH on Lake Fork Creek was too good to pass up. Coach later passed through and we had another chat.

A great day on the trail – cool, clear, dry and superb mountain scenery.