CT Day 11: Turquoise Lake & Mount Massive

Daily Miles: 16.6, Total Miles: 173.1

Shortly after leaving this morning and starting to climb, I looked down through the trees down to unmistakable Turquoise Lake. Not far out of Leadville, we’ve camped there a few times. Not much further along, I entered the Mt Massive Wilderness, one advantage being no mountain bikes allowed.

Passed by two 14k ft peaks, first Mt Massive and then Mt Elbert. A really pleasant, enjoyable hike all day, high on the side of the mountain, lots of trees and cool streams. And the second day in a row without rain!

I found a nice campsite above Herrington Creek. My quiet was interrupted by four hikers who came down at dusk and plopped themselves down 20 ft away. They proceeded with a loud discussion on whether to camp here or squeeze themselves into an already occupied site by the creek. I don’t mind company but hiker midnight was definitely arriving for me. So I was quite relieved when one by one, including some site visits, they finally agreed to go to the creek site.

Only a few hikers and peak baggers today.