#segment 20

La Garita Wilderness, Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 5 random campsite (Segment 19) to random campsite (Segment 20) Segment 20 begins at Eddiesville Trailhead where a pit toilet is available. This is area is very remote but I did see a few vehicles here. I even spotted one cloud. The trail exited the Wilderness Area briefly. After taking a short break (and using the pit toilet, of course), I resumed hiking and shortly thereafter reentered La Garita Wilderness. This area is only served by a dirt road so I was somewhat surprised to see a house. Presumably a rancher because there was ample evidence of cows. I had a destination in mind for the evening which was still several miles away. While still following Cochetopa Creek the trail went through a narrow valley toward San Luis Peak, another 14er. I encountered some hunters. 3 of them, each carrying out a piece of elk. Very cumbersome and very heavy, I was sure. The wind began to increase, kinda like a funnel coming down the valley as it continued to narrow. I decided to search for a different campsite. I was losing treeline quickly and did not want to be exposed to the wind all night long. I found a suitable site and setup camp after a 16.8 mile day. Overall, a great day of hiking.

La Garita Wilderness, Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO (4) by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 5 random campsite (Segment 19) to random campsite (Segment 20) Segment 20 begins at Eddiesville Trailhead where a pit toilet is available. This is area is very remote but I did see a few vehicles here. I even spotted one cloud. The trail exited the Wilderness Area briefly. After taking a short break (and using the pit toilet, of course), I resumed hiking and shortly thereafter reentered La Garita Wilderness. This area is only served by a dirt road so I was somewhat surprised to see a house. Presumably a rancher because there was ample evidence of cows. I had a destination in mind for the evening which was still several miles away. While still following Cochetopa Creek the trail went through a narrow valley toward San Luis Peak, another 14er. I encountered some hunters. 3 of them, each carrying out a piece of elk. Very cumbersome and very heavy, I was sure. The wind began to increase, kinda like a funnel coming down the valley as it continued to narrow. I decided to search for a different campsite. I was losing treeline quickly and did not want to be exposed to the wind all night long. I found a suitable site and setup camp after a 16.8 mile day. Overall, a great day of hiking.

Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO (8) by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21) "You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff." A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream. With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline. I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time. After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys but the views were astounding.

1/2 Fish Bowl with San Luis Peak, Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21) "You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff." A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream. With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline. I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time. After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys but the views were astounding.

Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO (11) by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21) "You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff." A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream. With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline. I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time. After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys which somewhat contributed to the mostly vapid, colorless environment. Nevertheless the views were astounding.

Bondholder Meadows Intersection, Segment 20, Colorado Trail, CO by Tim Stewart Via Flickr: CO (Saguache County) Day 6 random campsite (Segment 20) to random campsite (Segment 21) "You have to hike through Pennsylvania to get to the good stuff." A reference to the Appalachian Trail. PA is nothing spectacular as hiking goes and is mostly known for its abundant rocks. In the summer it is hot and humid and about the only thing going for PA is the halfway point of the AT where long distance hikers have a custom of eating a half-gallon of ice cream. With the exception (mostly) of the Cochetopa Creek, which I thoroughly enjoyed hiking, this year's hike was nothing spectacular. Long waterless stretches, dirt road walking, cattle country, etc. was all about to change as I headed toward San Luis Peak and above treeline. I took a break at the saddle in a small depression out of the wind. Another hiker was there who stashed his pack while he climbed San Luis Peak. As mentioned before, San Luis is another 14er and probably the easiest accessible one via the Colorado Trail. The saddle is at 12,612 ft and the Peak is just another 1400' in elevation gain. The 2.5 mile roundtrip would probably take several hours. Maybe another time. After the saddle, the trail stayed above treeline and crossed a number of additional saddles. I encountered a handful of dayhikers traversing what I call 1/2 fishbowls. You can usually see the footpath on the sidehill as it 1/2 circles around between the saddles. Many dead trees were visible down the valleys which somewhat contributed to the mostly vapid, colorless environment. Nevertheless the views were astounding.