A trail runner left when we did, then met us at the half-way point, when he was coming down and we were still looking upward. Even he was cold.
The lack of physical exhaustion was compensated by virtually drowning in color and abundant flowers--at least three colors of columbines, four shades of rosy paintbrush, and many more. We traced several "beginnings" of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, found a half-dozen prospects holes in the walls of American Basin.
We rested by Lake Sloan, watching the big grey clouds gather, then temporarily yielding to the sun. Then we went on to 13,000' and decided to enjoy the downhill direction, following the water and billowing fields of flowers down to where dozens .
What a beautiful place! What a splendid mountain! What good companions!
Next week, Tuesday, at 9 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center for another foray on the Continental Divide Trail (South), if weather permits.
In late August, we'll try another 14er--maybe the highest point in Colorado. We informally agreed to get on top of Handies in September, along with another big mountain up north. Please keep up your respiratory and leg strengthening activities more often than once per week.
--Doug Knudson
(Judy and I will go to Minnesota for a Knudson family get- together and a visit to Judy's cousin in 2nd-3rd week of August.)
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