Welcome

We are currently on another long distance hike, and the third leg of our "triple crown", the Continental Divide Trail (the "CDT"). Come along with us if you can - if not in person then by following our grand adventure via our "posts from the trail".  Check out our Flickr Photos, which we'll update periodically, and see it through our eyes!

Our Credo...

"Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome to Wyoming OR Colorado in the Rearview

Encampment Wyoming – 450 miles.

Leaving Steamboat Springs we pointed again north as the trail follows the Divide very closely along the Park Range.  Most of this section was in the Mount Zirkle Wilderness, a wonderland of broad ridges, a few peaks, a lot of lakes and some stunning wildflowers still on display. Fields of yellow, purple and an occasional swatch of other colors. Sandhill Cranes honking loudly from an Alpine Lake were a pleasant surprise. As was another “Alpine Porcupine”.  I don;t know that this is actually a distinct species, but it seemed unusual to see a Porkie at 11,000 feet climbing a Krumholtz tree…or it would have seemed unusual, except that we were greeted by one of these animals when we entered Colorado last year.

We transitioned to the Sierra Madre mountains as the divide drops some in elevation and “softens”.  The walk continues to be a roller coaster ridge walk, but the bid, dramatic drops have now slowed down to the gentler terrain. And never too soon.  The Carrot had twisted her ankle a couple days before, in rocky Colorado. (She’s on the mend, thanks to anti-inflammatories and a good bit of tender care in watching where to step)

On Monday we crossed into Wyoming (and have not seen a cloud in the sky since leaving Colorado in our rearview.)  Clear skies have meant cold nights and yesterday morning there was a definite feeling of “fall” in the air. Colorado was a highlight of the whole trail experience, but we are very glad to be in Wyoming, somehow it feels different, it feels closer to the finish.  Unfortunately the trail is not well marked.  In fact the last 20 miles were not even really “trail”, just a series of posts and rock cairns strewn about rocky ridges and wet meadows.  A few times we had to stop and look around for awhile to find the next one.  Such is the nature of the CDT.

Tonight we are in the “twin cities” of Encampment and Riverside Wyoming, about 1 mile apart.  Encampment has the motel, library, PO and Liquor Store.  Riverside has the restaurants and grocery store.  It’s a lot of walking for a day off.  

Tomorrow – onto Rawlins!!!

 

One Response to “Welcome to Wyoming OR Colorado in the Rearview”

  1. susan Says:

    Do you have a date yet for the glacier park section? We’d like to join you for it if the general invitation is still good…

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Clicking on any of these photos will take you to that specific photo on our Flickr Stream, where you can view these and many, many more photos from our latest adventure....or use this shortcut to all photos.....we hope you enjoy them!

People Shots

CDT20101_NMWCWMCDT2010_TheTrailCDT2010_NMWC-1Carrot After a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #3,768Carrot on the Trail stillCarrot takes a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #5.875Carrot on the TrailCliff Dwelling SignCarrot takes a PhotoCarrot Stream Crossing # 2,115

Scenic Shots

CDT2010-valleyCDT2010_yellowflowersCarrot on the Trail 3ScenicPotty BreakScenicCliff Dwelling Stream Vast DesertPrickly Pear 2Prickly PearPlateau at Sunset

Flora & Fauna

CDT2010_treesCDT2010_yellowflowersCDT2010-purpleflowersAngry MarmotFlora 3FloraBeaverButterfly 2FloraButterfly