North Cottonwood Creek Road, CO Segment 13  North Cottonwood Creek Road to Chalk Creek

“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.” Steven Wright

July 24, 2004 Since Segment 13 is over 22 miles we are going to do it over two days. Today will be a long day hike of 15.6 miles and tomorrow will be about 7.

Just Past FR344 CNC and Steven

We are also starting about 7 miles into this segment and hiking to the end of it today. Our son Steven L is with us, as well as Tim, Jill, and Chevy. We start at the Avalanche Trail Head at 9:15 A.M. We climb slightly into the woods and walk parallel and above Chaffee County Road 306 for about 2 miles. We cross South Cottonwood Creek where I take some photos of the creek and the mountains behind it. It is a partly to mostly cloudy day and the mountaintops are just peeking through some clouds. Shortly after crossing the creek, we start climbing a series of switchbacks through a lodgepole forest. We continue our climb in and out of forests until we near the high point along the saddle of Bald Mountain. We traverse along an open slope and stop for lunch with unobstructed views to the east. The slope is a profusion of colors as it is covered by wildflowers. We finish eating lunch just as it starts to rain. Rain gear goes on, so of course a short while later we walk right out of it and into sunshine.

Mount Yale Peek A Boo

The clouds do not stay away and follow us for most of the next hour or so threatening yet not biting. After 10 total miles, the trail follows county roads. We end up above Mount Princeton Hot Springs and road walk down to Chaffee County Road 162. The walk is difficult in that pavement is not very forgiving on the feet. Carol is running hurt again and Tim, Jill, and Steven are soon out of sight. I of course wait and walk with my wonderful wife. With just over a mile to go, we hit a dirt road and even though it is not forest duff, it feels better on the feet than pavement. We finally see Steven looking up the road for us and get to the truck at 5:15 P.M. Eight hours of hiking to go a distance of 15.6 miles. We averaged 2.8 miles per hour on the move and 2.0 miles per hour overall. The high point was a measly 9,900 feet. This has been our lowest section since early last year. Tomorrow it won’t be that easy!