Trip Report Pagosa Springs / Rocky Mountain High at Last
It was a brief section from Cumbres Pass to Wolf Creek Pass, short on days (only four hiking days) but long on scenery and trip “firsts”.
The Colorado Rockies of the South San Juan Wilderness are wild and rugged lands. Stunning scenery and sensational summer wildflowers, unfolded in greater dimensions with every step.
For us, since leaving the Mexican border, it was the first time we hiked above 12,000 feet (hitting 12,700 for those who are counting numbers); crossed our first snow fields; and hiked our first days without a jeep (or other) road in sight, or under foot. We traversed the first areas above timberline and enjoyed our first true alpine areas. We found our first marmots and picas and made our highest camps (at just over 12,000 foot). And donned fleece hats, polypro bottoms and actually used the fleece jacket for more than just a pillow. First hail. And, most significantly, these were the first days that we did not have to weigh ourselves down by carrying lots of water. We had frequent springs, streams, cascades, creeks, rivers and rivulets. No water worries. Well, you get the idea, we were finally, at last in “real” mountains.
No offense to afficianados of New Mexican mountains, but it’s hard not to extoll the virtues of the high Rocky Mountain peaks of Colorado. New Mexico – be happy with your unique and stunning red rock mesas.
Pagosa Springs is our last town/resupply stop. Tommorow we head back to the Rocky Mountain high country and a final week in the San Juan mountains before we finsih this summer’s segment of the Continental Divide trail.
705 miles done (115 to go).
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