September 18th
Butch dropped me off at Spring Creek Pass. After exchanging well wishes I set off. It was a jeep trail going uphill at first. I met a husband wife elk hunting couple and they were quitting for the season with no luck.
After a steady climb up, the trail went in to the terrain I love: high ridges above tree line. On the way, the trail passes a yurt made mostly for winter campers but CDT hikers can use it to.
Once up on the ridges, I felt like I could not stop taking pictures. Looking down into valleys with aspens and pines and bright blue skies with just a few puffy white clouds. This was perfect hiking.
Late in the day, the trail came down through some ATV trails and an old mining area. I ran across some folks on their ATVs and side-by-sides. One guy was gener0uos and encouraging. I had another conversation with a guy who asked me where I was going. I said Pagosa Springs. I was following the trail and heading west. He looked at me and said “You need to go that way” and pointed south southeast. It was a classic driver/ hiker conversation. He was legitimately concerned I was lost and going the wrong way. I was legitimately concerned he spent too much time in his ATV and should walk more.
I camped on a hillock I found alongside Lost Trail Creek. What a reassuring name. I had a small fire and a warm meal. The moon would barely appear in this canyon, but the quiet creek below made a sweet background sound to help fall asleep.
backpacking over the hill 