Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO (9)
CO (Saguache County)
Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21)
"You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff."
A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream.
With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline.
I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time.
After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys which somewhat contributed to the mostly vapid, colorless environment. Nevertheless the views were astounding.
Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO (9)
CO (Saguache County)
Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21)
"You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff."
A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream.
With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline.
I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time.
After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys which somewhat contributed to the mostly vapid, colorless environment. Nevertheless the views were astounding.