Daily Miles: 22.9, Total Miles: 1,211.9 I waked out of Grand Lake pretty much straight into Rocky Mountain National Park. After looking at my Guthook app map, I was almost immediately faced with a decision . Stay on the official CDT route for the next 25 miles or take an alternative 4-mile trail up Tonahutu Creek and arrive at the same destination. No brainer – the shortcut was beautiful, and, I would guess, more travelled. I followed a nice stretch…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 1,189.0 A good night’s sleep and leisurely morning. I played the tourist around town and had the Chuckwagon breakfast/brunch featuring chicken-fried steak and about everything else you can think of. Doubled up on my Lipitor just in case. Since I had by bounce can here with a cheap razor, thought I’d give it a go since it’s been three weeks since I had trimmed up and around my beard. Big mistake, clogged my razor and…
Daily Miles: 16.4, Total Miles: 1,189.0 I started early this morning before the blood-sucking skeeters woke up and wandered down to Monarch Lake. While taking a pic of the sunrise on the lake, I heard some branches snapping below me. A young bull moose was walking up a faint trail that ended at my feet. To avoid a surprise, I yelled, “Hey moose!”. He looked up and kept right on coming. I backed away and he kept coming. I finally…
Daily Miles: 26.3, Total Miles: 1,172.6 The wind was horribly consistent last night. A few guy cords came off the tent stakes, my tent/hiking pole semi-collapsed and I found myself wrapped in my tent like a mummy. I finished the climb to James Peak and enjoyed the views but didn’t stick around long. The wind had a cold bite to it that early in the morning. I headed down to Rogers Pass and ridge walked at around 12,000 ft for…
Daily Miles: 24.5, Total Miles: 1,146.3 I entered Vasquez Peak Wilderness and followed the Divide a few miles before heading east across another knife’s edge trail. Dropped down to an alpine valley and then climbing barren Stanley Mountain at 12,500 ft. I dropped down to busy Berthoud Pass for lunch – lots of day hikers enjoying a beautiful day. Bathrooms were good but no water – a nice gentleman took me to his car and gave me a couple of…
Daily Miles: 19.5, Total Miles: 1,121.8 After a quick hotel breakfast, I walked out of Silverthorne and immediately began to climb, reaching Ptarmigan Pass and then down to South Fork Williams Creek. Best wildflower display so far in the lower elevations, brilliant columbines and wild roses to name a few. Right back up again along Knife’s Edge trail then dropping to Bobtail Creek. Slow going most of the day due to poor trail conditions and lack of tread. Walking on…
Daily Miles: 9.7, Total Miles: 1,102.3 Gusty winds all night but crystal clear skies and brilliant stars. Up and over Eccles Pass as the sun was coming up with gorgeous views. I passed a few snow-rimmed alpine lakes and descended the South Willow Creek drainage. Dillon Reservoir and Silverthorne eventually came into view and several left turns later, I was in town. Staying next door to Bakers Brewery – donuts and beer? Not quite, but did not disappoint.
Daily Miles: 18.2, Total Miles: 1,092.6 All downhill to the Copper Mountain ski area along Guller Creek. I saw two young bucks with velvet on their antlers. After a visit to Starbucks in the ski village, Pat jumped on his bike for the return to Tennessee Pass. I continued on the Silverthorne alternative. This somewhat shorter route will allow me to bank a little time for the Wind River Range and an upcoming get together with kids and grandkids in…
Daily Miles: 17.5, Total Miles: 1,074.4 I couldn’t get to the PO until today because of the holiday. The good news is that this allowed enough time for a big breakfast this morning. Pat drove us to Tennessee Pass and we were on the trail by 10am. All downhill for the first six miles until past Camp Hale which was full of very noisy and hungry sheep. Had a nice lunch break at a waterfall on East Fork Eagle River….
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 1,056.9 A needed, nice day of rest although I did wander into downtown Leadville to watch the 4th of July parade. I also picked up a few things at an outdoor sports shop. An old, good friend since grade school joined me for dinner and will hike with me for a few days. The last time Pat and I hiked together was on a climb to Mt Wilson near Rico/Telluride 20 years ago. In order…
