Bear Lake Trailhead to Gutter Creek 26 mi :: 1037 mi :: 56,800 steps :: Sunny It’s a wet morning, but just from dew. The big storm I worried about last night didn’t materialize. By now I’ve learned that it never becomes comfortable to get out of bed on such mornings, so I force myself…

Twin Lakes to Bear Lake Trailhead 23 mi :: 1011 mi :: 46,650 :: Afternoon and evening thunder showers This morning is the first morning since we’ve been in Colorado that it felt warm enough to change clothes without hurrying. Ann puts on her summer dress. It’s glorious. After a good breakfast Ann takes me…

Big Willis Gulch to Twin Lakes 3 mi :: 988 mi :: 8,900 steps :: Sunny, afternoon clouds I wait for the sun to hit me before getting going today, since I don’t have far to go. Once I’m going I’m excited to see what I’ll find in Twin Lakes. I try the most direct…

Cottonwood Road to Willis Gulch 25 mi :: 985 mi :: 48,750 steps :: Hazy Since I’m at the car, I make breakfast with cereal, coffee, bread, cream cheese, and hard boiled eggs before getting on the trail. I feel good when I get going. I chat with a few climbers headed for Ice Mountain…

Upper North Fork Chalk Creek to Cottonwood Road 19 mi :: 35,200 steps :: 960 mi :: Sunny, some afternoon clouds I figure it won’t be a long day, so I don’t get started too early. Fitzpatrick Peak looks like it should be an easy climb, but my energy level is nothing like it was…

Monarch Pass to Upper North Fork Chalk Creek 22 mi :: 941 mi :: 44,650 steps :: Afternoon clouds Ann drives me back to Monarch Pass on a wonderful clear, sunny morning. She gets ready to day hike south to see the views I missed yesterday, and I take off north. My pack is much…

Crest Trail Shelter to Monarch Pass 6 mi :: 919 mi :: 12,150 steps :: Rain and fog I’m fortunate that I chose to sleep in the shelter. During the night a serious storm comes through and hammers the roof with rain. Once when I wake up it sounds like a creek is flowing outside,…

Baldy Lake Trail to Crest Trail Shelter 25 mi :: 913 mi :: 52,250 steps :: Overcast, afternoon showers I’m amazed! The morning is not too wet, or too cold! I change clothes in the open air to celebrate. Quickly though – it’s not actually warm out. The lovely rolling divide trail continues. At breakfast…

Los Creek to Baldy Lake Trail 24 mi :: 888 mi :: 48,300 steps :: Afternoon clouds When I wake up everything is sopping wet with dew. My tent drips with condensation. I decide that frost and ice may be preferable to this dampness that feels just as cold. To my relief the sun comes…

Spring Creek to Los Creek 26 mi :: 864 mi :: 53,900 steps :: Afternoon storms It’s cold out and the light is dim because the mountain blocks the sun, but I’m up at 5 am. I have to move constantly to stay warm. It feels better once I start the climb. I wave to…