Moments in Dirt and Ink

Gunnison National Forest San Isabel National Forest (map link) There seemed to be an astonishing number of backpackers coming south through Cottonwood Pass on the Continental Divide Trail given that it is still way too early for the southbounders, which isn't even the popular direction. When I got across the road, I found a post with a second crest and everything was explained. Of course! In this area, it is also the Colorado Trail. They're all Durango-bound, which is the popular direction, and it'll be time for them for a while. Starting off on the South Texas Trail from Cottonwood Pass, which happens to host the CDT and CT. Looking down the glacial valley of South Texas Creek. On the other side, the glacial valley of Middle Cottonwood Creek. The trail to Lost Lake can be seen wiggling its way through right in the middle. I didn't stay on the trail long. When I got to that first ridge, after enjoying the view, I took a use trail up to the first peak. ...

Gunnison National Forest (map link) I was down in the cloud covered valley nearish Taylor Park and decided to head up to the picnic area near the pass for breakfast. It's a much better view. It has a small use trail from the bathroom out to the edge of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and, if you look closely, a little further either up or down the ridge line. Taylor Park Reservoir still covered in cloud. Looking back along the use trail toward Cottonwood Pass. The ridge that is the usual, but certainly not only, end point for folks walking the trail by the picnic area. I looked out over the congressionally designated wilderness and took it into my mind to go there, where there was a massive green shoulder of mountain above tree line. The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness north of the picnic area. Trail along the ridge was hard to find at first, but then there was a sudden very clear piece that happens to come from the old picnic area. This is the one shown on my Fo...