Better weather today. Only hiking half a day. We are meeting J. and Angie in Denver today to keep the kids while they go on a much needed vaca. We have rented a cabin outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Should be fun. I will still be hiking this week, but not everyday.
Headed out in the rain this morning. Ended up having quite an adventure. Got to the top of the mountain and had to head back. I ended up on a knife edge with lots of rain, hail and could only see about 3 ft. in front of me. I was up over 13,000 ft. and walking in the clouds. Too dangerous. Will try again tomorrow in better weather.
Camping tonight! The road is so bad at the Argentine Trailhead that Sue didn't want to drive it more than once. Took 20 min. to drive 2 miles, very rocky and bumpy.
I did see these guys looking for some grass to munch on. No other hikers this stretch of the trail.
Here is another look from above tree line. I have to say this is the toughest section so far. Rugged and no trail to follow. Had to depend on my G P S to guide me.
This was between Mt Sullivan and Santa Fe Peak. Slept on the mountain top last night. Elev. was over 13,000 ft. Very windy and cold.
July 16, 2013. Crossing Hope Pass today. I was told the settlers called it that because they hoped they would never have to cross it. It was a tough one.
This is so beautiful. It has looked like this for days now. Will be near Leadville, Co. in a few days. I told him yesterday that I feel like I'm on a scavenger hunt everyday trying to find him and he's the prize at the end of the day. Ha Ha! All is well with us, having great weather.
This was 6:00 a.m. on 7/13 at the trailhead. We are at 11,000 ft. now. It's a bit chilly now crawling out of the tent in the mornings. He went about 16 miles today.
As you can see by the look on his face he is happiest when on the trail. We have had great weather so far, warm temps and only a couple of showers here and there. I ended up having elevation sickness last Thursday while staying in Creede, so Rick had a down day to stay with me , but he is back at it. I am well now and we camped together at Eddiesville Trailhead in Gunnison N. F. He is so far into the Forest that it took me 2 1/2 hrs. to reach him on an unpaved Forest Service Rd.
He was able to get back on the trail last week at Spring Creek Pass outside of Creede. This is an old silver mining town. Went about 19 miles today. Well over 12, 000 ft.
Rick wanted to jump on the trail here and do about 40 miles he missed last year because of snow, but couldn't get on because of the fires. It's awful, can smell smoke with every turn. They just opened the main road 2 days ago.
Made it to Colorado! On the way we took a few side trips and visited some National Monuments. Mesa Verde and Hovenweep National Monuments. Historic Pueblo Dwellings.
Sorry it's been so long without a post, but the cell service out here is awful. I will try and catch you up to date. This was our last camping night in Wyoming before we hit the snow in the Rockies. We will be heading to Colorado to pick up where he left off last summer. But before we left, we ran into a bit of trouble. The Forest service roads I was traveling were in horable shape and we had 3 flats on 3 different tires in 4 days. Sooooo, we ended up buying all new HEAVY-DUTY tires.
