A long section, with lots of up/down every day. I’m glad the entire trail isn’t like this, I wouldn’t have any knees left! But its amazing scenery…
Day 81: (September 18th) 10.4 miles
I spent most of the day in town. It was a nice place to relax, they even had a park by the water. And lots of ice cream!
So many flavors!
The male version of DQ?
Welcome to townDowntown Grand Lake. The sidewalks are all boardwalks!Leaving town, this was the only bridge over the canal between the 2 lakes.Kinda want to go swimming!These deer are everywhere, and not very smart. Or afraid of people.Hiking next to a dammed-up portion of the Colorado River.
Day 82: (September 19th) 25.2 miles
I love Wilderness areas, it means not sharing the trail with ATVs & dirtbikes.Not a postcard. Monarch Lake.An old-timey Dr. Who Tardis?More alpine lakes than you can shake a stick at.Sunset from camp at Rollins Pass
Day 83: (September 20th) 26.7 miles
Nothing like a nice morning ridgewalkI’ve been seeing many of these birds, called a Rock Ptarmigan. Their feathers are starting to turn white for winter!View from top of James Peak, 13,300ft.View down into Berthoud Pass. Highway 40 looks like it would be fun on a motorcycle!COOL. (I’m an avalanche geek)Dam!
Day 84: (September 21st) 31.4 miles
This was a HUGE (fuccillo-sized) day. I went up a 13k ft peak, then 3500ft down to the I-70 freeway, then up & over two 14ers!
Morning ridgewalks are a regular thing in Colorado.Herman Gulch trailhead. I think Subaru ownership is needed for CO residency.Feels like I’ve been here before…This sign was just depressing…”you are here”. This is gonna hurt.Cool views going up the ridge, between rain showers.View from Torrey’s Peak, 14,275ft.It was very windy up there on the summit.I found a sign in the summit rockpile on Gray’s Peak.Looking back down at the trailhead, over 3000ft below.
Day 85: (September 22nd) 25.9 miles
There’s still some of last season’s leftover snow up high.Raincloud is a-comin’…yup, it was very wet.I see a ski resort! Must be Keystone?Follow the …yellow rock road?The CDT merges with the Colorado Trail at this point. The signage and tread improved greatly!
Day 86: (September 23rd) 12.5 miles
There are so many burn pilesNice day, but still cold.Shouldn’t this trail be in Maryland?The trail descends down into Breckenridge. Those were all vacation homes.
I took the free bus (thanks, Summit county) into Breckenridge and went straight to the brewery for a sandwich and a non-water beverage. By the time I finished and walked downtown to the hostel, it had started snowing. Hard. I’m glad I got into town early today! Hopefully the weather improves for the next section, down through the Sawatch Range and Collegiate Peaks.
Beautiful pictures, Jon!
Two 14rs on a 31 mile day! Wowza!