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PHOTO ESSAY: Hike Along the Divide
Peter Coe | 10/19/07
This is a trip we took the second week in September.  We did a lot of hiking this past summer, and I finally got a chance to do a backpack along the Continental Divide, something I've wanted to do for a long time.  We started in Elwood Pass and hiked down to La Manga Pass.
 Continental Divide Hike
Sue hiked with me the first day.

Continental Divide Hike
This trip started above tree line and stayed above tree line for almost 50 miles.

Continental Divide Hike
We climbed Long Trek mountain for lunch.  Looking south are Montezuma and, in the center, Summit Peak which we were on four years ago.

Continental Divide Hike
The plan was for Rosie (on the left)  to go back with Sue while I continued on with Maggie.  Sue and Rosie would rejoin me in two days.  Rosie did not cooperate so I had both dogs with me.  A thunderstorm passed by to the South adding more snow to Summit Peak.

Continental Divide Hike
The second afternoon I camped in the valley down to the left and climbed up the ridge behind Lake Ann.  Some snow showers went by and then the sun came out and I was treated to a rainbow.
Continental Divide Hike
Doggie Dinner Time.

Continental Divide Hike
Sue joined me on Wednesday.  We continued South.  The terrain flattened out but we were still hiking around 12,000' elevation.

Continental Divide Hike
Happiness is miles of trail above tree line on a sunny afternoon.

Continental Divide Hike
Each morning the temperature was close to freezing.  We oriented the tent so it faced the sunrise and would warm up as quickly as possible.

Continental Divide Hike
Parts of the trail are not used very much.  Sue and Maggie sit down next to a cairn to check the map.

Continental Divide Hike
After hiking 40 miles, Rosie will still swim after a stick.

Continental Divide Hike
The last part of the hike is in an area where the trail disappears altogether.  We have day hiked around here quite a bit so navigation is not a problem.  Much of the past four days is laid out on the horizon from right to left starting with the farthest mountains at the center right.  Conejos Peak is on the right.  We hiked there last year.

Continental Divide Hike
The last morning.

Continental Divide Hike
Maggie, center, waiting patiently for us to get going.
 
   


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