Pink Paintbrush, Segment 27, Colorado Trail, La Plata County, CO
CO (La Plata County)
Day 4 (Segment 27)
random campsite to Bridge site
Whenever I see the distant mountains and peaks and passes, I wonder which way the trail will go. You never can tell until you get there however. The looming La Plata Mountain Range kept getting closer and closer and was thrilling to behold. Since the peaks were so sharp and the passes did not look passable, I was fairly certain the trail was not heading that way. It didn’t. The footpath wandered along the steep ridge amidst gentle high plains and steep sidehill. There were loose talus fields and large boulders to navigate. It was spectacular!
Now I was following Indian Trail Ridge, which straddles the borders of Montezuma and La Plata counties and offers sweeping panoramic views. I was glad not to have to worry about bad weather. Throughout my section hiking of the Colorado Trail, I endured all of the weather imaginable: rain, cold, wind, thunderstorms, some snow. Other than getting dumped a ton of snow, thunderstorms are the biggest weather threat, especially while above treeline. I don’t think anyone wants to get struck by lightning. Fortunately, I was always able to avoid that dangerous situation.
Pink Paintbrush, Segment 27, Colorado Trail, La Plata County, CO
CO (La Plata County)
Day 4 (Segment 27)
random campsite to Bridge site
Whenever I see the distant mountains and peaks and passes, I wonder which way the trail will go. You never can tell until you get there however. The looming La Plata Mountain Range kept getting closer and closer and was thrilling to behold. Since the peaks were so sharp and the passes did not look passable, I was fairly certain the trail was not heading that way. It didn’t. The footpath wandered along the steep ridge amidst gentle high plains and steep sidehill. There were loose talus fields and large boulders to navigate. It was spectacular!
Now I was following Indian Trail Ridge, which straddles the borders of Montezuma and La Plata counties and offers sweeping panoramic views. I was glad not to have to worry about bad weather. Throughout my section hiking of the Colorado Trail, I endured all of the weather imaginable: rain, cold, wind, thunderstorms, some snow. Other than getting dumped a ton of snow, thunderstorms are the biggest weather threat, especially while above treeline. I don’t think anyone wants to get struck by lightning. Fortunately, I was always able to avoid that dangerous situation.