Segment 6, Colorado Trail, CO
Of course, after the Pass the trail starts to climb. There were a couple of short bumps where I crossed several small creeks and piped springs, and took in some awesome views of South Park. Eventually, I started seeing this pyramidal monolith in the distance. It kept getting closer and closer. At Jefferson Creek, the trail starts a steady, but not too steep, 6 mile, uphill climb.
As it turns out, the trail passes right in front of the impressive, mountainous monolith, Mount Guyot, at Georgia Pass. The Colorado Trail also acquires the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail here. Georgia Pass is spectacular at 11,880 feet. I'm not sure that it is officially above treeline, but there are no trees. While up there, I met a couple of mountain goats and took some pictures of the outstanding views. I didn't linger as it was very windy (temp in the 60s though) and once again it looked as though it was about to rain.
As I began my descent, shortly thereafter is an intersection with a dirt road and wouldn't you know it, a vehicle showed up just as I did. A dirt road in the middle of nowhere, at over 11,000 feet, and I had to wait to cross the road! After the vehicle passed, I carefully looked both ways to ensure another vehicle was not coming.
Today was a long day, over 20 miles. The hiking wasn't too bad, but alot of uphill. Georgia Pass was certainly the highlight. I stopped for the night at North Fork Swan River. Once again it didn't start raining until after dinner. The night was otherwise uneventful.
Segment 6, Colorado Trail, CO
Of course, after the Pass the trail starts to climb. There were a couple of short bumps where I crossed several small creeks and piped springs, and took in some awesome views of South Park. Eventually, I started seeing this pyramidal monolith in the distance. It kept getting closer and closer. At Jefferson Creek, the trail starts a steady, but not too steep, 6 mile, uphill climb.
As it turns out, the trail passes right in front of the impressive, mountainous monolith, Mount Guyot, at Georgia Pass. The Colorado Trail also acquires the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail here. Georgia Pass is spectacular at 11,880 feet. I'm not sure that it is officially above treeline, but there are no trees. While up there, I met a couple of mountain goats and took some pictures of the outstanding views. I didn't linger as it was very windy (temp in the 60s though) and once again it looked as though it was about to rain.
As I began my descent, shortly thereafter is an intersection with a dirt road and wouldn't you know it, a vehicle showed up just as I did. A dirt road in the middle of nowhere, at over 11,000 feet, and I had to wait to cross the road! After the vehicle passed, I carefully looked both ways to ensure another vehicle was not coming.
Today was a long day, over 20 miles. The hiking wasn't too bad, but alot of uphill. Georgia Pass was certainly the highlight. I stopped for the night at North Fork Swan River. Once again it didn't start raining until after dinner. The night was otherwise uneventful.