Dreamboat Annie

Day 2 of my section hike along the Colorado Trail started with the ascent of Lake Ann Pass. It was a hike of about 2.1 miles to the top of Lake Ann Pass (12,588 ft.) from my campsite. The hike to the Pass was beautiful. Lots wildflowers and of course great above tree line views.

Taylor Park Reservoir in the early morning light

Looking back on the trail

The Trail towards Lake Ann Pass

Wildflowers

Columbine along the trail

Alpine Sunflowers at the top of Lake Ann Pass

Me at the top Lake Ann Pass

La Plata Peak, Huron Peak, and Lake Ann from the Pass

View from Lake Ann Pass

The hike down from the pass was just as beautiful. It had alpine lakes, wildflowers, and lots of pikas.

Huron Peak and Lake Ann on the way down from the Pass

The Pika on a rock picture

Lake Ann

Paintbrush and Lake Ann

I saw a lot of backpackers on this section of trail. There were way more women than men. 7 of the first 8 backpackers I saw on the day were women. The majority of the destinations were to Durango. Clouds and a light rain were an issue in the late morning and early afternoon. No lightning problems though. The final part of my day was to start the climb up Hope Pass. The trail up Hope Pass was obviously old because it seemed to go straight up in some places. It was a steep one. I found a spot to camp near tree line. I prefer to go over the high passes when the weather is clear. One reason is to enjoy the view when the weather is clear in the morning. The other reason is to lessen the chance of getting caught above tree line when there is lightning. Anyway, I was tired after 14 miles of hiking in the high country and was asleep as soon as it got dark.

The Three Apostles

The view near my campsite

I Never Picked Cotton

Last year I set out on a quest to section hike the Colorado Trail. On Monday, July 25th I continued that quest with the start of another section hike on the Colorado Trail. This post is of the first day of that hike. I got dropped off by my parents at Cottonwood Pass with a starting elevation of 12,142 feet. This section of the Colorado Trail is an alternate route. From Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass, the Colorado Trail forms what is called the Collegiate Loop. The western half is called Collegiate West, and that is the portion I started my hike. The Collegiate West portion is also the Continental Divide Trail. I started my hike going north on the Trail. The first part of the day was downhill with lots of great alpine views.

Cottonwood Pass

Downhill hiking

Looking back

Rock Cairn

Alpine Paintbrush

After about seven miles, I dropped to an elevation of 10,007 feet along Texas Creek. I then had about seven miles of hiking that was more up then down along the Timberline Trail. Motorcycles are allowed on the Timberline Trail, so it is not the greatest section of trail. The Colorado Trail Foundation is in the process of rerouting sections of trail off of roads and motorized trails. Hopefully this section will be included some day. It also lightly rained off and on during this section so I don’t have much in the way of pictures for this half of the day. I camped at an elevation of about 11,100 feet and got myself in position for a big climb the next day.

Beaver lodge - located shortly before reaching the Timberline Trail

Brother

Happy 50th Bro!!!

Daddy O

Happy Father's Day. Here are some pictures from a recent hike up St. Charles Peak (11,784') in the Wet Mountains.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains from St. Charles Peak

View of the Spanish Peaks

Enjoying the view

Looking back on the trail.  Pikes Peak is in the haze.

A little bit of snow just below the summit

The Trail

Mama Said

Below are some pictures from a hike at Oil Well Flats that I took about a month ago.

Looking towards Dinosaur Flats and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

View of Florence and the Wet Mountains

Garden Park

Oil Well Flats, Dinosaur Flats, & the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Cañon City, Wet Mountains, & the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

It wouldn’t be a Mother’s Day Post without having some flower pictures.

Flowers

Rock Flowers

More Rock Flowers

House Guest

More House Guests

Happy Mother's Day

XI

February Stars

Here are some pictures from a couple of hikes in February.

Cliffs

Red Canyon Park

Pikes Peak from Fremont Peak

Royal Gorge & the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

After The Thrill Is Gone

I went for a hike on Monday in the Shelf Road Recreation Area. The area is big for rock climbing. Once I got out of the main parking area, I didn't see anybody until I followed a road back through the rock climbing area. I made a nice loop hike. The weather was good as well. I also came across a flock of turkeys. There may have been as many as 50. Here are the pics.

Sand Gulch - Wet Mountains & the Sangre de Cristo Mountain in the distance.

Looking north

The Trail

A old cabin along the trail

Camera shy turkeys

Road and cliffs.

There Has Been An Awakening

Just got back.  I didn't wait for your birthday.