- CT Day 21, July 20. Thursday
- Start: CT mile 397, Weminuche Wilderness, where the CT and CDT split, 12.4k
- End: S25 mile 8.2, CT mile 418.9
- Miles walked: 21.9
After a short climb, the trail plunges down Elk Creek Canyon on well-constructed tread, a remarkable descent with many views, going from 10.3k to 8.9k.
Finally, the trail flattens out a bit. Ducks frolic.
Hikers can flag down the Durango-Silverton Railroad for a ride. I consider it, but not today.
Maybe worn railroad ties are perfectly fine, but I worry about maintenance.
After a bridge crossing, farewell to Elk Creek.
Looking up at a tall rock face, switchbacks are in my future.
Lovely views are my reward at the top.
At the Molas Lake camp store, I pick up my final resupply box. They have a table with canopy set up for hikers.
Hiking out to the highway, I meet Jackrabbit, who wondered where I had gotten to. He is hitching to Silverton.
The mountainsides in this area are layered, probably natural processes.
Finished audiobook PSmith, Journalist, by P G Wodehouse.