From Creede to Leadville Colorado 150 miles of gorgeous

We started out from Creede at San Luis Pass.  My Sinus Infection was getting better so we ventured into the high country once more.  Our trail took us through a dry set of hills that were nice and low and easy to hike in.One night we were camped high up on a bluff above a creek and along come Balls and Sunshine.  Jay and Sunshine hadn't seen each other since the PCT in 2011.  They talked about gear and had some fun being kids together.  We probably won't catch them again.  After the Cochetopa Hills, we climbed and climbed, heading for Monarch Pass.

Getting to Monarch Pass was a haul but I am getting to be a stronger climber (except above 12,000 feet)

The CDT near Monarch Pass

We are nearly but not quite done with snow.  Now it is patches more or less.  Sometimes in scary places like big rotten cornices.

Here we are at Monarch Pass. Wired, another Trail Ambassador, saved me a couple of days later when she loaned me some lotion.  My knee brace is causing a square foot of chaffing on the inside of both thighs.  This trail has been so tough that in 3 weeks I have used up most of my first aid kit. 

Did I say tough, oh I meant fantastic.  You can't look in any direction in Colorado with out your jaw dropping from the beauty.

Jay crossing one of the Twin Lakes streams.

Kevin has new boots in Leadville

Jay having a multiple zero in Leadville

Leadville has the most fantastic second hand store called community Threads.  I got these new Treksta hikers for $20 and a sun shirt and lots of other stuff.  The best 2nd hand store ever.

A note about the Twin Lakes Store.  They have a ton of hiker stuff, new owners are hikers themselves.  They have Heet , Mountain House Meals, and Aqua Mira.  You can still send boxes but they are no longer a Post Office.