Perfect day to hike. Calling it quits at wolf creek. CDT complete!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Indian Creek Junction to spotted lake
What a day. I didn't see a cloud until afternoon. The views were stunning. I kinda wish this was my last day since it was so perfect. I'll let the pictures speak for me.
Rincon la vaca to Indian Creek junction
Grrrr and brrr. It wasn't that cold but I had to cross a swampy bit first thing in the morning. I tried to avoid it Ley said there was new trail that skipped the swampy bit. Well after walking around for 3 miles I couldn't find it so I had to follow the swampy bit. The swampy bit was a valley bottom with a creek and canals through it. On top of that all the grass in the valley bottom was covered in frost. Now crossing creeks and getting my feet wet sucks but is part of the experience. Walking through frozen grass with wet feet really sucks and hurts but it's part of the experience. The thing that pissed me off was the canal. Here was a man made structure and there was no crossing for it. I tried wading across it, so cold, but that didn't work. I got three steps in and was already sunken in the mud down to my mid thigh. Now this swampy bit of trail was the typical CDT follow the posts type of trail. Of course the post that tells you where to cross the canal at a point you can step over it is missing. So I had to hike in frozen wet feet along this canal trying to find a way across that didn't involve me swimming. I did eventually find it and swore at the trail and canal very loudly when I did. Unfortunately it seems there was a section hiker camped within hearing range and he was concerned about me but after explaining the situation he agreed and would have done the same thing. He invited me for coffee but I declined since I had to get moving to make my toes not fall off.
The rest of the day was amazing. The views were incredible. The hiking was tough. The weather was perfect. I took so many pictures of the surrounding area. I even saw 4 moose. I ended up camping on a ridge which had a fantastic sunset and should have an equally impressive sunrise.
Yurt to stony pass
Leaving the yurt was difficult. It was rather chilly outside and there was a nice warm fire
Lake city to yurt
Lazy day hanging around the hostel. I did my resupply at the grocery across the street and it was stocked with almost exactly the way I'd stock it. Needless to say I spent more money there than I should have. The local bakery was also fantastic. I think Lake city is now my favorite trail town on the CDT.
I went ahead and made my airline reservations for 10 day from now. It should only take 6 days of hiking to finish but there will be a day lost in pagosa springs to resupply, and soak in hot springs. Then a day lost getting away from platoro. Then a day lost getting to albuquerque. Which puts me at 9 days. I think. Either way the plane ticket is purchased so I'll be in Albuquerque in 10 days and Maryland 7 hours after that.
I did eventually get around to leaving town and got a ride back up to the pass with a gentleman going up there to pick mushrooms. He was after Chantelle mushrooms in particular and I had him show me one so I'd know what to look for. Apparently they go for $50 a pound in grocery stores. After that I booked it cause I saw thunderstorms on the horizon and knew I'd be exposed until I got to my camp spot. A very nice camp spot in a valley in a yurt. I got here just in time as the storm showed up when I walked in the door.
CDT complete!
I'm done! I'll try to get around to finishing the rest of the posts this time. I'm calling it quits just a little short of the actual finish since I didn't take into account the hours of the car rental place when I made my plane reservations. They are closed on Sundays which would make the timing for my flight not work. That just means I have to come back and hike this section in the future. Which I wanted to do anyway since I wanted to see the section around Cumbres Pass without snow. The only real issue I'm having with stopping now is today was absolutely perfect weather and the next few days are also going to be amazing. Ah well.
Anyway hike complete!
Rock Creek to Winfield
Perfect morning not a cloud in sight. This is Colorado's attempt to get me to climb a 14er. Not just any 14er but Mt. Elbert the biggest mountain in the state and only a few feet shorter that Whitney. But it's not going to work. I decided not to do any 14ers and I'm sticking to it even if it is perfect weather to climb Elbert. I successfully managed to avoid climbing the mountain but only because I didn't have enough water.
After a little while I came to the cute little community of twin lakes. The lakes were gorgeous and everyone in the town was extremely friendly and helpful. They really want the hiker business there. After a bite to eat at the local food truck, they only place to eat, and some cold goodies from the store I headed on. The trail went 12 miles around the east side of the two lakes but there was an alternate that went just 2 miles of roadwalking to a bridge that took me across the west side. Guess which way I went.
After climbing over the southern mountains of the twin lakes valley I headed down the next valley. It was getting late and I started looking for a camp spot. The trail was along a steep valley cliff and there were only about one camp spot a mile. They were all taken by Colorado trail hikers! It got dark and still nowhere to camp. I eventually had to headlamp my way down to the valley bottom taking a side trail. Well that didn't work cause the valley bottom was all private property. Ah well I followed the road up to where the CDT crosses it and camped there. Along the way I walked past yet another ghost town. Not quite as well taken care of as south pass city but a nice ghost town regardless.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Leadville to rock creek
Nice easy day. Got a ride up to the trail from a guy staying at the hostel. A couple miles in there was a cooler full of sodas! I think that's a first for the trip.
Fairly uneventful day here so not much to say.
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