Segment 6 - Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill

July 28-29, 2010

Planned on 3 days for this but only took a day and a half. My feet were really sore at the end though.

Left Kenosha Pass at noon, reached Georgia Pass at 6:30pm with a huge thunderstorm on my tail. Just made it below treeline when the storm hit. Hiked for another half hour in increasing rain, sleet and wind, and picked the first decent campsite I found. Lightning, thunder, rain and hail until 1am. Rain glued the fly to the tent and made it suffocating inside. This is why we stake out the rain fly...

Next day started on the trail at 7:30am in cold fog. Lots of people camped at Swan River crossing about 3 miles down from Georgia Pass.

Grazed the west side of Keystone Ski Resort at 1pm. The weather looked threatening so I decided to finish the segment by the end of the day.

Met 2 USFS rangers building a bridge at creek crossing under power line 4 miles from Gold Hill.

Reached Gold Hill trailhead at 4pm, just in time to catch the Summit Stage bus to Frisco. Hotel, hot shower and dinner, hurray! 19.3 miles in one day, the farthest I have ever hiked in one stretch. My feet and knees were so sore; I was counting down the miles till the end.

Segment 5 - Long Gulch Trailhead to Kenosha Pass

Did segments 4 and 5 together on June 23-25, 2010.

Reached the end of Segment 4 at the Long Gulch Trailhead at 2:30pm. Still felt fresh and energetic so continued into Segment 5, checking the guidebook every once in a while for suitable campsites.

Reached Rock Creek at 8pm. It was getting dark so decided to camp near the creek for the night. Met a couple who were trying to reach Breckenridge 40 miles away in 2 days, so they could watch the football (soccer) World Cup. Nice campsite right next to the trail with handy log seat and fire ring. Could see the Miller ranch/farm a half mile away. Campsite was comfortable but lots of mosquitos because of the creek. Woke up with lots of bites.

Next morning started hiking at 7:30am with 7.5 miles to hike to Kenosha Pass. The trail from here to Kenosha mostly traversed south facing hillsides with smashing views of South Park, Tarryall, Buffalo Peaks, the Tenmile-Mosquito range, and Georgia Pass.

Reached Kenosha Pass at 1pm, a day earlier than planned. Called home to arrange a pickup. No cell reception where the trail crosses Highway 285 at Kenosha Pass. However, there's weak cell reception 0.25 mile toward Jefferson on Highway 285 at an overlook/parking area where the highway goes downhill.


View from near Long Gulch looking back towards the center of Lost Creek Wilderness - a few peaks above treeline.

View from same spot as above, looking southwest towards South Park.

Just past Rock Creek campsite - first view of Mosquito Range. Horseshoe Mountain is just left of center on the horizon.

Johnson Creek, looking north - last water on the trail before Kenosha Pass. The trail crossed the creek 1 mile west of Rock Creek.












Johnson Creek, looking south. The faint trail is not the Colorado trail, but is an unmarked trail that parallels the creek.

View southwest from the trail towards Southpark (Tarryall area)











Same view as above, a bit farther along the trail. I think the road is the Rock Creek road.

Same view as above, still further along the trail.

First view of Georgia Pass and Mount Guyot. This is probably about 4.5 miles from Kenosha Pass.

Another view of Georgia Pass, slightly further along than the previous view.

Southpark/Jefferson area looking west/northwest. Mount Silverheels is the highest peak on the horizon, right of center. The Mosquito Range is on the horizon left of center.

 Me with Southpark/Jefferson area in background. This is about 2.5 miles from Kenosha Pass. From this point the Colorado Trail enters heavy forest with limited views, until a mile or so past Kenosha Pass.

Segment 4 - FS 560/Wellington Lake to Long Gulch Trailhead

Did Segments 4 and 5 in one trip, June 23-25

Got a late start on June 23. Left the FS560 trailhead at 3pm, did 8 miles, reached North Fork trailhead of the Lost Creek Wilderness at about 8pm. My pace is getting quicker. One steep hill about 5 miles in, which lasted for about 1 mile. Trail was very boggy after it came down from this hill towards North Fork trailhead. Wilderness entry permit self service station at North Fork trailhead.

Sawmill ruins where I camped. Good campsites in trees near the trailhead. Good water supply. Campsite is at the end of an ATV trail that starts at Lost Trail Campground.

Camped for the night near the trailhead. First time using the new tent and backpack.

Next day slept late, hit the trail at 10am. Mostly flat or downhill to the end of Segment 4 at the xx trailhead. Colorado trail parallels the old Hooper logging road through the Wilderness. Also somewhat parallels Park County Road 56 (Lost Park Road), which starts in Jefferson at Highway 285 and goes for 20 miles till it ends at Lost Park campground. Made it to the Long Gulch trailhead, the end of Segment 4, by 2:30; decided to press on into Segment 5 since my feet and knees weren't hurting.

Good campsites and water at the Long Gulch trailhead. Also lots of mosquitoes and cow pies.



 Campsite & backpack, near North Fork Trailhead

View east from near campsite at North Fork Trailhead

 North Fork Trailhead and Wilderness Permit Sign-in Station

 Sawmill ruins near North Fork Trailhead

 Ditto.














Several views along the trail a couple miles further on Segment

Getting close to the end of Segment 4. First views of South Park. The Tenmile-Mosquito Range is on the horizon.

Gear List - Version 3 - a new tent

After a long stretch of wet weather, I decided I wanted a roomier shelter. I even saved a bit of weight!


Total weight: about 34 lb

Pack
Dana Designs Arcflex Alpine (XSmall)- 9 lbs - probably too heavy but it's so comfortable!

Shelter
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 (trail weight) - 1 lb 14 oz
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardwear Phantom +32 Women's Regular - 1 lb 7 oz
Sleeping Pad - Thermarest Neo-Air - 47 in long - 9 oz
Ground cloth - 8'x10' plastic painter's drop cloth - 4 oz

Food and Water
MSR Hyperflow Water Filter - 7.8 oz
Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove - 2.6 oz
Butane Fuel Canister - 12 oz
Pot - REI Ti ware teapot 0.8 liter - 4.6 oz
Plastic Spork - 1 oz

Electronics:
GPS - Garmin Oregon 450 - 6.8 oz with batteries
Emergency Rescue - SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger - 5.2 oz
Cell Phone - Blackberry Curve 8900 - 3.9 oz

Guides and Entertainment
Official CT Guidebook - too heavy but I like it
Official CT databook - light
Paperback novel
National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map
Small pad and pen
Compass


Plus medical kit, Swiss army knife, clothing, water bottles, food, firestarter, lots of ziplocs and garbage bags, small plastic trowel and toilet paper, keys, wallet, cash...

Gear List - Version 4 - a new pack

I finally decided my faithful pack was way too heavy and bought a Golite. I see a lot of these on the trail these days. The Golite seemed a little flimsy compared with my old pack, but it held up really well on the trail. No rips or scratches from thorns, rocks, branches, etc. No torn seams or straps popping out of the stitching. I'm very happy with my new pack, and so are my knees.


Total weight: about 26 lb

Pack

Golite Pinnacle Women's, 3400 cu in, 1 lb 14 oz.

Shelter
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 (trail weight) - 1 lb 14 oz
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardwear Phantom +32 Women's Regular - 1 lb 7 oz
Sleeping Pad - Thermarest Neo-Air - 47 in long - 9 oz
Ground cloth - 8'x10' plastic painter's drop cloth - 4 oz

Food and Water
MSR Hyperflow Water Filter - 7.8 oz
Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove - 2.6 oz
Butane Fuel Canister - 12 oz
Pot - REI Ti ware teapot 0.8 liter - 4.6 oz
Plastic Spork - 1 oz

Electronics:
GPS - Garmin Oregon 450 - 6.8 oz with batteries
Emergency Rescue - SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger - 5.2 oz
Cell Phone - Blackberry Curve 8900 - 3.9 oz

Guides and Entertainment
Official CT Guidebook - too heavy but I like it
Official CT databook - light
Paperback novel
National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map
Small pad and pen
Compass


Plus medical kit, Swiss army knife, clothing, water bottles, food, firestarter, lots of ziplocs and garbage bags, small plastic trowel and toilet paper, keys, wallet, cash...

(Part of) Segment 13

I didn't feel like doing a full segment overnight so I checked out the trail near Buena Vista. Day hiked to the Segment 13 high point from the Avalanche trailhead. The high point is on the east slopes of Mt. Yale.

Glad I didn't try this with full gear. Boy was it steep...or maybe I'm a wimp.

Nice views of Mt Yale and Mt Princeton.


Mt. Yale from the saddle between Avalanche Trailhead and North Cottonwood Trailhead














Mt. Princeton from the saddle

 



Looking north from the saddle towards the North Cottonwood trailhead. Small lake/marshy area about 1.5 miles from the saddle. I camped just below this lake a month later.

Segment 3 - Little Scraggy trailhead to FS-560

June 6, 2010

I did this segment as a day hike, but with full gear (35 lb). My feet hurt a lot during the previous segments so I went back to my hiking boots, with thicker socks and Superfeet footbeds. These cushioned the pounding but mashed my toes into my boot-tips. Ouch. I was walking like a lame pigeon-toed duck by the end of the segment. I bought bigger boots the next day.

This segment was hot and strenuous. Hot, mostly because it was in heavy forest that blocked any cooling breeze. Not many views, for the same reason.

Dodged mountain bikers for the first 9 miles.
 

Wide view of the west side of the segment, looking toward Lost Creek Wilderness, from about halfway through.

Closeup of The Castle, near Wellington Lake, on the west side of the segment:

Segment 2 - South Platte townsite to County Road 126

May 30, 2010

See all photos for this segment are here:
http://colotrailblog.blogspot.com/1970/01/segment-2-photos.html

I did this segment as a day hike, without bivy sack, sleeping bag, stove, or food bag. My pack was about 25 lbs.

I tried it in running shoes instead of boots because my feet hurt and sweated a lot in the first segment. The running shoes were a lot cooler but my feet and knees still hurt a lot at the end of the segment. I don't think the padding on the running shoes can take the pack weight (or my 30 pounds of avoirdupois...)

It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be. The first 3 miles and last 4 miles are in the Buffalo Creek burn and are fully exposed to the sun, but the middle third is in a cool pine forest.

I have been using the full CT guidebook as well as the databook on trail. This is against the rules of ultralight packing, but it gives me something else to read at night and it's a lot more useful than the databook.

I noticed the CT guidebook contains a couple minor errors for this segment:

• The end point of segment 2 is the Little Scraggy trailhead, not the Scraggy trailhead.
• Parking cost at the Little Scraggy trailhead is now $5 per day instead of $4.

Photos are here:
http://colotrailblog.blogspot.com/1970/01/segment-2-photos.html

Segment 1 - Waterton Canyon to South Platte townsite

May 24-25, 2010

View of segment 2 from the high point of segment 1. The trail passes through the 1996 Buffalo Creek burn. The ridge in the far distance is the Lost Creek wilderness.

Little Scraggy Peak from high point of segment 1. South Platte river is at center just below the peak.

Campsite at old FS-568 road crossing, 11 miles into the segment.

Gear List - Version 2 - May - a bit lighter

After trying a day hike with a 40 lb pack, I toss cost savings to the wind and buy a few new items to lighten the load. I did the first 3 segments with this gear.

Core weight: 11 lb 0 oz
Total weight with consumables etc. 35 lb

Pack
Dana Designs Arcflex Alpine (Xsmall) - 9 lbs - probably too heavy but it's so comfortable!

Shelter
LLBean Goretex Bivy (6 years old and no longer made) - 2 lb 1 oz.
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardwear Phantom +32 Women's Regular - 1 lb 7 oz
Sleeping pad - Thermarest Neo-Air mattress - 47 in long - 9 oz
Ground cloth - 8'x10' plastic painter's drop cloth from Home Depot - 2 oz

Food and Water
MSR Hyperflow Water Filter - 7.8 oz

Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove - 2.6 oz
Butane Fuel Canister - 12 oz

Pot - REI Ti ware teapot 0.8 liter - 4.6 oz
Plastic spork - 1 oz

Electronics:
GPS - Garmin Oregon 450 - 6.8 oz with batteries
Emergency Rescue - SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger - 5.2 oz
Cell Phone - Blackberry Curve 8900 - 3.9 oz

Guides and Entertainment
Official CT Guidebook - too heavy but I like it
Official CT databook - nice and light
Paperback novel
National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map
Small pad and pen
Compass

Plus medical kit, Swiss army knife, clothing, water bottles, food, firestarter, lots of ziplocs and garbage bags, small plastic trowel and toilet paper, keys, wallet, cash...

Gear List - Version 1 - April - too heavy!

Here is my initial list of core gear. I consider using some of my existing stuff, much of which is over 10 years old. I will test it on day hikes.


Core weight: probably over 40 lb.

Pack
Dana Designs Arcflex Alpine (XSmall) - 9 lbs - probably too heavy but it's so comfortable!

Shelter
LLBean Microlight 2-man tent (10 years old) - 4 lbs. They have improved it since I bought it; the latest version weighs 3 lbs. At the time  I got it, it was a big improvement over my 7 lb 3-man tent.
Sleeping Bag - North Face Cat's Meow +20deg - Women's Regular - 2 lb 10 oz
Sleeping pad - Thermarest Neo-Air - 47 in long - 9 oz
Ground cloth - 8'x10' plastic painter's drop cloth - 4 oz

Food and Water
MSR Hyperflow Water Filter - 7.8 oz
MSR Whisperlight Internationale Stove - 11.5 oz
MSR 20 oz fuel bottle - 20 oz fuel plus 5.25 oz bottle
Pot - REI Ti ware teapot 0.8 liter - 4.6 oz
Plastic Spork - 1 oz

Electronics
GPS - Garmin Oregon 450 - 6.8 oz with batteries
Emergency Rescue - SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger - 5.2 oz
Cell Phone - Blackberry Curve 8900 - 3.9 oz

Guides and Entertainment
Official CT Guidebook
Official CT databook
Paperback novel
National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map
Small pad and pen
Compass


Plus medical kit, Swiss army knife, clothing, water bottles, food, firestarter, lots of ziplocs and garbage bags, small plastic trowel and toilet paper, keys, wallet, cash...