WalkingCarrot

Well, we’ve come to the end of the San Juan section and the end of this year’s segment of the Continental Divide Trail.

The San Juans were certainly a highlight, and not only because the trail seldom dipped below 11,000 feet in the last week. The trail also took us through some rugged and beautiful terrain. Steep peaks, deep valleys, high plateaus, well defined ridgelines, wildflowers and WATER. Flowing creeks, high alpine lakes, snowpack, rain, hail and frost: we found water in all it’s natural forms. Of course, some of these forms of water depend on COLD, and we had that too.

The wildflowers were simply stunning, bold and beautiful, elegant, showy, simple and sublime. Every niche of habitat and of the senses was filled. Hiking 16 to 20 miles a day in such country does not lend itself well to botanizing, but it’s safe to say that the individual species numbered in the hundreds.

All this was in stark contrast to New Mexico, where dryness ruled and rock formations replaced fields of flowers for our photos.

In planning our approach to the CDT we had set out segments so that we would be able to experience the San Juans in their glory days and not be forced to walk around them or through them when snow whiteness ruled the landscape. We succeeded, and the experience fulfilled our expectations.

We come to the end of this year’s segment with mixed feelings. Anxious to complete our journey, to return home, to rest up, soothe some aching muscles and to appreciate the creature comforts we so often take for granted. But sad at ending the journey, with a heart tugging to go on, to follow the ridge line up and out of Spring Creek pass and onto Snow Mesa and keep going north.

But, we will wait until next year and then come back to see all that lies between here and Togowatee Pass at the north end of the Wind River mountains in Wyoming. These are the dreams that help sustain us through the winter months.

Miles 820