View allAll Photos Tagged segment
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.
Today was to be the last day of this section hike. I still had over 15 miles of hiking to make it to Goldhill Trailhead, and then to Breckenridge where my car was parked at the Bivvi Hostel. The morning was chilly but the sun was shining as I began to hike.
The closer I got to Breckenridge I started to notice thousands of down trees. There were criss-crossed tangled trees everywhere. It was real a blight on the landscape. Initially, I didn't know the cause. I thought maybe a new ski area was planned and the crew they sent to clear the mountain went a little overboard. Many of the trees were just on the side of the trail, but eventually someone started making what I assumed were pyres for burning. It really was shocking to see so much devastation.
As I was hiking through, I encountered some bikers who knew the cause. Evidently there has been a Mountain Pine beetle infestation. It is an epidemic which has covered over a million acres in both Colorado and Wyoming. The beetles burrow into the bark and lay eggs. As the eggs hatch, they eat the bark, thereby killing the tree. Very destructive.
I made it to Goldhill Trailhead which is still several miles from Breckenridge (Frisco is also accessible from here). Fortunately, not far away is a bus stop where I caught a free bus ride (which also goes to Frisco). It didn't go all the way to the hostel, but it was close enough. I had thought to stay at the hostel but I had not made a reservation and they were booked. (The Bivvi appears to be a very nice and clean hostel, but not just for hikers. All Breck visitors are welcome, so if you plan to stay, call ahead for a reservation.)
Overall, I was hiking for 7 days. I hiked segments 1-6 on the Colorado Trail. For anyone planning a long distance hike, these segments are a great introduction to the CT. Some difficult spots but some easy hiking as well. Awesome scenery without spending too much time above treeline. It was a great hike; I was ready for more!
CO (Chaffee County)
Day 8
random campsite (Segment 15) to Salida, CO
And then the changed plans are meant to be changed. I slept well, in the 40s, but in the morning, as I started hiking, my knee was still hurting. And this was mostly flat, downhill grade. As I was considering my options, I knew I didn't want to hike 70 more miles in pain. I made it to South Fooses Creek trailhead. Of course, I couldn't find a confidence marker or an actual trail for that matter. The databook was not helpful either. I had to check the CT hiker app which seemed to indicate that the road was the trail.
So I followed the road and kept checking the app. I stayed on course and finally made it to Fooses Lake and then to US50. Almost 3 miles on the road with no indication from the databook that I should even be on the road. I only saw 2 confidence markers. Not helpful, as I was already committed to following the road.
I made it to US50 with the decision to go to Salida and then tomorrow somehow make it to Silver Creek trailhead between Segments 12 & 13 and finish hiking to my car. I'll miss a section, but I won't have to hike in pain for 70 miles instead only about 27 miles. Hopefully my knee will be better.
The angle of the windows created its own crops of the reflections. You can hardly see the blizzard blowing behind me.
A segment from my latest A level project, in which our main character takes drugs.
Filmed with a Nikon D5100.
Used Macro Extension tubes to allow me to get that close.
Day 5 (Segment 28)
Bridge site to Junction Creek Trailhead
Cruisin’ right along, I made it to Gudy’s Rest. A fantastic overlook with a bench honoring Gudy Gaskill, who made the Colorado Trail a reality. I stopped for a break and took in some of the final views. A very nice stop but Gudy’s bench was in the sun so I opted to relax on a rock bench hiding in the shade. Still very nice.
As hikers near the end of their journey, getting off of the trail is always on their mind and then how to get to an airport or bus station to travel home. Sometimes family and/or friends might meet them on the trail and provide transportation. Another option is to catch a hitch, which was my plan to get back to my car. Of course, I was hiking into a day hiking area, so any hiker encounters would be a possibility, since they would likely be parked at the trailhead.
Gudy’s Rest is about 4 miles from the trailhead, so I didn’t have too much further to go. And wouldn’t you know it, a couple of dayhikers arrived. Of course, now was time for my Yogi skills while chatting. (Yogi’ing is in honor of Yogi Bear who was always after a pic-a-nic basket. So, to yogi is to receive some food or other assistance from others who are interested in your trail tales.) They were very friendly and I was able to secure a ride from the trailhead! I just had to get there in time.
Now the goal was to make it to the trailhead by 2:00, when the friendly dayhikers agreed to pick me up. They were camped in a nearby Campground and not actually parked at the trailhead. It was after noon, so that would mean 4 miles in 2 hours. 2 miles an hour is definitely doable especially with the gentle terrain. Getting a ride and getting into town is motivation to move quickly. I did and made it to the trailhead about 1:35. I waited until they arrived and then enjoyed the short ride to the train station to my car. Thanks for the ride!
So that was it. Congrats to me for finishing the Colorado Trail! I started in 2015 and finished in 2021.
I don't think this is a Jeweled blenny, but some other. Need to look that up. Found on the hard brain corals at Sam's Pier, the ultimate muckdive on Palau. Takes time and patience to find a willing victim and getting close enough (with 60mm macro).
[ 8248 ]
This (Order ASAPHIDA?) trilobite segment was discovered in a creek bed in northern Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.
A selection of photos put together in a grid. These were taken as part of a project exploring the body. I focused on its differences and simalarities-for example finding scars, blemishes and different muscles/bone structures in a range of individuals.
CO (Chaffee County)
Day 8
random campsite (Segment 15) to Salida, CO
And then the changed plans are meant to be changed. I slept well, in the 40s, but in the morning, as I started hiking, my knee was still hurting. And this was mostly flat, downhill grade. As I was considering my options, I knew I didn't want to hike 70 more miles in pain. I made it to South Fooses Creek trailhead. Of course, I couldn't find a confidence marker or an actual trail for that matter. The databook was not helpful either. I had to check the CT hiker app which seemed to indicate that the road was the trail.
So I followed the road and kept checking the app. I stayed on course and finally made it to Fooses Lake and then to US50. Almost 3 miles on the road with no indication from the databook that I should even be on the road. I only saw 2 confidence markers. Not helpful, as I was already committed to following the road.
I made it to US50 with the decision to go to Salida and then tomorrow somehow make it to Silver Creek trailhead between Segments 12 & 13 and finish hiking to my car. I'll miss a section, but I won't have to hike in pain for 70 miles instead only about 27 miles. Hopefully my knee will be better.
Segments from www.flickr.com/photos/keredrose/2747208717/
Martin Beek drew my attention to Millais'painting. Could these segments help to understand the painting better?