Colorado!

August 21st

(No phototos. Sorry)

Woke from cowboy camp I had made just after Fraser Peak.  My right shoulder was sore from a spectacular wipe out I had late yesterday. 

Some of the smoke from the fires had settled in the valleys.   The rising sun gave the smoke some interesting colors. 

More ATV trails up high. Some backpackers look down on off road vehicles. Initially, I confess, I was one of them.

It is easy to find fault.  One interesting family yesterday consisted of mother, father, son, and daughter. The parents led in a side-by-side. If they were flying,  they both would’ve asked for seat belt extensions.  Indeed, I wondered if they had something like a cat’s whiskers which would warn them off paths too narrow where their overhang might snag. The acorns didn’t fall far from the tree, presumably with a thud.

Their vehicle was balanced with a huge cooler strapped to the back. Why that much beverage capacity was needed by a family of four is unfathomable. 

Daughter was next in one of those golf cart vehicles with 4 wheel drive.  Last was son on an ATV drinking a beer. None were wearing helmets. 

At first, it was hard for me to grasp the attraction. I pictured a family skipping the 401 (k)s and 529 plans, instead buying vehicles and the means to transport them. In the woods, it seems unlikely they see or hear much wildlife as their uncovered combustion engines power them along.   I suppose any wildlife they do see must be so deaf or maimed that it would be frightening. 

However, on further reflection, there were some good things. First, they were a family doing an activity together. Second, they were out in nature, not in a mall or separately watching programs on little screens. Lastly, when they got back to their camp, they would undoubtedly enjoy the quiet (before they fired up the generator and satellite link).   So, if Congress ever decides to do something crazy with our national forests  (give to Chinese in exchange for debt forgiveness), these people and I will be side-by-side saying no.
As I descended, I came to a large sheep operation. They had fouled the water and I was terribly thirsty. I hiked on, making a mental note to eat lamb chops once off trail.  

As the day was ending, I was hungry, tired, and thirsty.   I kept going because I wanted to reach Colorado (and the purported spring nearby).

Finally, I came to the border.  Wyoming takes the time to actually announce their state line.  Colorado is silent.  I tanked up on cold, filtered spring water and went off to find a campsite after 26 miles backpacking over the hills.