An unexpected opening in our home calendar gave us pause … of about 22-minutes. Quickly pulling out maps and guidebooks we fingered dots on the several maps from various starting points until we agreed on one line. In lieu of traveling too far from our Pagosa Country home we opted for the northern part of the backyard.

Six nights and seven days. Regardless of the tenacity of summertime storms with their accompanying lightning, the high elevation meadows were our calling. Alpine tundra with its diversity of boulder fields, grassy meadows, talus, short willow beds and inviting ponds would provide a playground of colorful wildflowers, skittish moose, cuddling marmots and nesting ptarmigans. Around every bend in the trail, over every saddle of the divide a new view extended and was different in nearly every regard and nuance than the miles before.

The next several short articles are a glimpse into the ascents and descents, ebb and flow of 100-plus backpacking trail miles. Nearly all above treeline and all within the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests. We are hopeful that the exerpts we are about to tell will inspire you to step outside and explore the pristine wilderness areas of southwest Colorado.

ABOUT US AND OUR ROUTE:

Together, Boone and I have over 30,000-miles of backpacking experience. We made a conscious decision to hike over 20-miles per day to reach our goal for this particular hike. We would not recommend you do the same but instead that you take the time to enjoy the grandeur of the divide.

Our route followed the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail beginning at Spring Creek Pass and coincided with the guidebooks related to both trails.

If you would like more specific information pertaining to the planning details of this particular hike please contact Stacy at info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.