cyberhobo

We’re now following the Colorado Trail, and we start meeting more hikers. Some have been hiking the trail as long as we’ve been out, and will continue towards Durango from here. Kokomo Pass provides a nice view of the giant Climax mine, whose tailings reservoir drowned the town of Kokomo where Pete’s dad once lived…

My initial round of blisters have mostly healed, so I indulge in a few miles barefoot, which feels great. Barefooting over Breckenridge Getting up high, there’s a ski area, mine, or resort town below in just about every direction. Above Breckenridge Mount of the Holy Cross is finally looking pretty close. Mount of the Holy…

The day begins with rain. That clears up, but a few hours later another storm rolls in. This continues all day. We take lower routes when possible, passing lots of active and abandoned mining settlements. Miner Detritus The worst storm hits us on the highest ridge, where we take shelter in a tiny mining shack.…

I’m excited to reach the continental divide today. We start with hopeful weather, and start up Square Top. Guanella Pass Trailhead Long views, alpine flowers, and ptarmigan grace the high country. Up Squaretop Alpine Flowers Ptarmigan We can even see where we’re going. That Way As we cruise west along the divide, though, a big…

No storms around this morning! Good thing, because we have a big mountain to get over. Good summit weather We roll over Rosalie Peak, but Mount Evans is definitely the party spot of the day. Me on Mount Evans From there we traverse to Mount Spalding and work our way down easy terrain toward Guanella…

In a light rain we continue our westward migration, now comfortably on actual trails in national forest. Cub Creek Trailhead The rains have brought up thousands of mushrooms. I’ve never seen so many here. Mushroom Pete in the Mushroom Patch Mushroom Mushroom Clumps Amonita Muscaria And the moment comes when we enter “wilderness”! Wilderness! The…

Still a little wet when we wake up, the climb up Mount Falcon warms us up. Falcon Peak Trail My dad lives on the far side, so we stop in for a little visit. My house is also parked here, which is lucky because I notice a strap on my vibram is about to break.…

Our trailhead is equipped with a stove and espresso maker, which helps us get on the trail nice and early. IS Trailhead The route begins with a quick descent. Pete Steps Out We depart the Highlands neighborhood… Highlands Hiking Negotiate early morning traffic… Street Walking Stop at the bank… Bank Stop Have a spot of…