HIGHLIGHTS
Miles traveled: 19.2
Lift Gain/Loss: 4400/4300
Learned element: When crossing a stream, consider removing socks and shoe inserts; Put your trail runners back on and then cross. Shoes dry faster if only the shoe is wet.
Fauna worth mentioning: complaint!
Human encounters: Bat out of hell; Puma; ken doll
Low: Dismantle camp before dawn in the dark and cold.
High: Thai for dinner; beautiful sunrise at Lake Ann Pass; panoramic views from Cottonwood Pass
TRAIL DIARY
We set up camp in the dark, which was pretty easy because the moon was so bright. As we climbed the pass, some curious pika greeted us. These pika were not as skittish as others I have encountered; They ran up to our feet and even nibbled on Wild’s shoe.
A curious pika investigates Wild’s shoe as we ascend the Lake Ann Pass.
We reached the top of Lake Ann Pass to watch the sunrise and were greeted with beautiful views of Lake Ann and the valley.
Up, up, to Lake Ann Pass, let’s go!
Sunrise at Lake Ann Pass.
Selfie at sunrise; It was clearly too early to do my hair.
We then began the long hike through the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Along the way, we meet Bat-out-of-Hell and Cougar. Amusingly, Cougar carries a Ken doll with him as a hiking mascot. Cougar Ken doll graciously posed for a photo op next to our water fountain.
Ken poses for us next to our water fountain.
The descent from Lake Ann Pass.
The trail just before reaching the top of Cottonwood Pass.
Around 3:30 pm we arrived at Cottonwood Pass. This would be an amazing place to drive if you didn’t want to walk but wanted amazing views of the mountains. There are also small and long trails that start from the Cottonwood Pass parking lot.
Reid and Rocky arrived with Thai food from town. We ate dinner, stocked up on clean water, resupplied backpacking food with resources from Reid’s car, accidentally gave Rocky an entire container of Thai peanut sauce, and chatted with Carl, a section hiker. Reid provided Carl with a hitch and we continued.
Reid arrives at Cottonwood Pass with chicken pad thai.
Wild and I enjoyed an early dinner before heading back to the trail. Rocky pleads in the background.
Cottonwood Pass Selfie; I’m still amazed at where my feet can take me!
Posing with my favorite trail angel at Cottonwood Pass.
We were hoping to continue on to Collegiate West Segment 3, but it was clear we needed to find a campsite or spend the entire afternoon hiking the ridges and crossing Sanford Saddle. We choose the first.
Our campsite was gorgeous and much warmer than last night.
Hike along the ridge south of Cottonwood Pass, looking for a campsite.
Camping near Lost Lake in Collegiate West Segment 3.
Unfortunately, throughout the day, he developed a few new blisters in strange places (probably from crossing a stream where his shoes and socks got wet) and developed a rash on his back, which I think are actually microabrasions from where he rubbed against my backpack.
I applied Neosporin to all the angry skin areas, took Tylenol PM and slept.
See you there
britney
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