Who’ll Stop the Rain
We continued our march through mud from Leadville to Silverthorne. Heavy “monsoon flows” continue to characterize the weather with rain, off and on, through each day. Despite that we generally able to stay dry and/or dry out at least once each day. Still, I would love to know “who’ll stop the rain” so I can chat with them about upping the time table.
Leaving Leadville (Tennessee Pass) we encountere about 40 mountain bikers over the next 48 hours. Appears to be some kind of “race” along the length of the Colorado Trail. Most were pleasant enough, and looking pretty tired. At Copper Mountain Resort (which has exploded with growth since the 1980s) we parted ways with the Colorado Trail, taking the “Gore Range Trail”, an alternate CDT route into Silverthorne to resupply. We are now through with the larger numbers of Colorado Trail hikers, bikers and other hanger on-ers.
Crossing several high passes South of Copper Mountain and then in the Eagles Nest Wilderness area, we were fortunate to arrive at them at times when the light shined through the clouds with those long goldern rays of sunset. We camped in one basin to our first “real” sunset and “alpenglow”. Alas, we awoke at 7am to Thunderstorms. Who’ll stop the rain….
With the absence of so many other trail users, we came across several Elk and Deer in the Eagle’s Creek Wilderness. And, as an added bonus, some of the most wonderful wildflower displays of the hike so far this summer! This is a special place, well deserving of Wilderness and of the additions recommended by the “Hidden Gems” Wilderness campaign. I’ve been following their efforts, somewhat abstractly the last several months, but now have the feeling of personal connection. I hope you will support their efforts as I do. Once again, the power of personal connection to place is apparent; and I am reminded of the bond that our hikes creates between ourselves and the special places through which we pass.
By the numbers: 240 miles, 3 weeks, and only one day without rain. (I know dryer days are ahead – they are in the great basin in Wyoming, about 4 more weeks away………
August 6th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
My first look at your hikes – I will look again and share with my wife. What a great experience your having – too bad about all the rain, but the timetable is preset – can’t do any adjustment now. I see now that you also have last summers hike and the Pacific Crest trail – we really want to get some personal connection to that area, after driving from Sedro-Wooley to Winthrop last summer (40th anniversary of Woodstock). I think that area rivels Glacier NP. So can’t spend much time here today but will be back to look at more. Really think this resource should be made available in nursing homes… for older folks to enjoy a Virtual Wilderness experience. I’ll bet your hiking right past many cool Geocaches! Hope the weather improves & thanks for sharing!
August 6th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Hi Mike – thanks for stopping by and commenting – I’m not sure if Nowhere Man and Walking Carrot will see this and reply before their next town stop, but I’ll be sure that they do see it – you could sign up for their email updates as well and not miss any future posts (about once a week)……