The hostel has an air of excitement, for it is race day, and many residents are riding or staffing the event.
wild Bill and Cathy, the hostel hosts, prepare breakfast for any who want it– quite good. Then a hostel staff worker shuttles and Mademoiselle , Twin, and me up to Tennessee Pass.
These two hikers are southbound on the CT. Both have extensive long distance hiking experience, and we enjoyed picking each others brain while at the hostel, and I will miss their company.
The trail goes by an old bunker at Camp Hale.
These rocks out in a field are actually sheep grazing.
Sheepies are crossing the road.
The 2500 foot climb to Kokomo Pass is not too difficult after a zero day rest in town.
Several CT hikers pass the other way all day, over twenty. Many decided to delay their hike because of the extra snow this year, and their start happens to cluster together.
The trail continues on Elk Ridge with rewarding views. The weather threatens, and we are pretty exposed up here.
Leaving the heights via Searle Pass, we are still treated with good views of rocky peaks.
On the descent we pass by a fancy multi-story cabin– really a lodge.
I see someone inside. Is this a rental or private?
Some light intermittent showers fall.
After many more steps I reach Copper Mountain ski area, and stealth camp. Music from one of the taverns below plays late into the night.
The susurration of the nearby highway traffic helps send me to sleep.
Day 25, 7/12/2014, Saturday
Start Leadville Hostel and 9 miles north to Tennessee Pass mile 1186, elevation 10125
End 26-218XL in Copper Mountain ski area mile 1207, elevation 10320