Continental Divide Trail - CO

David, um, standing? on the saddle (~12,960') at the head of Cuba Gulch. On the other side is the Animas River Basin. This is also where the trail turns sharp to the south.

If you have been following, here is the lineup again. I just don't get tired of seeing a range of tall mountains. (Right to Left) Handies Peak, Jones Mountain, Niajara Peak, Crown Mountain.

We have a triple divide mountain in Colorado that is skirted by the CDT. Just east of Windy Peak in segment 29 of the Colorado Guide Book. (Trails Illustrated 139). Headwaters Hill (11,862’) divides the Gunnison/Colorado, Arkansas/Mississippi and Rio Grande rivers. Not 3 oceans but still noteworthy.

Looking across Cuba Gulch, the Divide is on our right as the dance continues.

While the ups and downs can be challenging and tiresome, each ravine offers cheerful encouragement.

Walking on the Divide and heading west to the saddle above the snow field at center. The Divide goes over the point in the upper right.

Our first peek of The Grenadiers (center at horizon). On the right is a drainage basin that flows down to Cuba Gulch. The Divide is on our left now.

One last look at Half Peak as David navigates the climb back up to the Divide. This section has a number of ups and downs as we dance back and forth over the Divide's saddles and draws.

The same lineup at a closer view, minus Half Peak. (Photo Credit David H.)

A stalwart cairn sets the stage for what is ahead. From right to left is Half Peak (13,841'), Handies Peak (14,048') barely visible at center, Jones Mountain (13,860'), Niagara Peak (13,807'), Crown Mountain (13,569'), on we go.

And then, just as suddenly, we're back in a flower garden that stretches to the horizon.

All of the sudden the vegetation just stopped.

Yeah I can't find the words either.

Cataract Lake (12,082') from the Divide ridge. The is the place where the older Colorado Trail spilts off the newer route. Trust me when I say, the newer trail is a vast improvement. (Photo Credit David H.)

A look back at Carson Peak sitting in the saddle. And this is known as a photo-scoot because they are hot on my heels.

From the saddle is the headwaters of West Lost Trail Creek and Pole Creek. Each heads down to the left . Pole Creek Trail is the older path of the Colorado Trail and also the path that La Garita Stock Driveway takes. The newer tread traverses to the plateau ahead. (Photo Credit David H.)

Another one of those flower garden moments where they go on to the horizon.

One of the most interesting features in this Hoodoo field was this wall. It captures ejected material that landed in an ash flow/bed then solidify into this conglomerate. Wow!

More Hoodoos are on the west ridge of Carson Peak. This is a place I would like to come back to some day. It seems magical and filled with good energy.

It seems that even Mother Nature has a message for DJT et al.
Rock On!

I would say “I’ve hiked many, many miles and on the trail I’ve seen people who are very young and very old, gay and straight, male and female and everything in between. Do you love nature? Can you walk or roll? Then you fit in.”

Heading up to that saddle (~12,890). The Divide remains on our right. More Hoodoos are ahead.

This is the beginning of a large Hoodoo area on the southwest side of Carson Peak.

Meet Tambi Gustafson, our new GAOA Senior Program Manager! ⛰️

Tambi leads professional crews tackling deferred maintenance to protect the #CDT. With 20+ years of USFS experience, she’s a powerhouse for the Divide.

Welcome to the team, Tambi + Paco (her furry companion)! 🌲🌮

#TrailStewardship #GAOA

"I can see the light of a clear blue morning, Everything's gonna be alright" (The Wailin' Jennys)

Settling in for a quiet, calm evening.

We found a nice little alcove to park for the night at the base of Carson Peak.

The view from our campsite for this day. The 13,581 point is part of a ridge on the other side of the valley.

Just a pretty spring next to the trail.

Every summer both the Colorado Trail Foundation and the Continental Divide Trail organize and assemble volunteer teams to improve trail treads. I have been on one such crew. This is one example of a "reroute" which brings the trail uphill from the valley floor where that tread would be sensitive.