CT Day 21: Rio Grande into Gunnison NF

Daily Miles: 19.1, Total Miles: 312.2

The ankle felt better this morning although still tender. I’ll keep the ankle brace on the left side.

Most of the morning was spent hiking the ridges high above Razor Creek through the Rio Grande NF. I met a couple in full camo, archery season for mule deer.

I dropped down to Lujan Pass and a dirt road, following it along the creek until I found a bit of running water to filter from. I followed Lujan Creek all the way to Hwy 114 and a potential hitch to Gunnison. One hiker was there trying to get a ride to Gunnison after learning her husband and in-laws had a bad case of Covid.

I crossed the highway and hiked up barely trickling Pine Creek, topping off water before climbing into the Cochetopa Hills. Archuleta Creek was pretty dried up so I kept going to Los Creek. A few small pools to choose from and good camp spots above the creek. I’m kind of in the middle of the “dry” area on the CT. Beautiful day on the trail but warm in the afternoon – had a light sprinkle while cooking dinner.

I met two SOBO hikers who are camped nearby with a young German Shepard.