Wednesday 9-8 Hiking & Bike Ride

 

Just having fun

We woke up to temperatures in the low 40s. After breakfast we went on a 7 mile hike on the South Lottis Creek Wilderness Trail. It took us four hours. We started from the Minnie and walked down a dirt road about a half mile to the trailhead sign, then we continued to the creek. At the creek there was a trail sign showing two trails, Henry Lake 6.5 miles and Cold Creek 11.5, both trail distances are one way. We took the trail toward Henry Lake, we hiked 3 miles of the trail. We crossed Lottis Creek via logs. Most people did it where the creek wasn’t as deep on two small logs using sticks for balance. We walked up the bank a bit to where there were a lot of logs bunched together. I let Larry cross the creek first because he could help me if I had problems, I’m very awkward. Once Larry was across I went, Larry ended up helping at the end. Then we walked through the trees to get back on the trail. As we hike we went up about 800 feet in elevation. We had to cross a small creek now and then using small rocks. The trail was narrow and had lots of rocks we had to walk over. The scenery was beautiful with lots of trees and meadows. There were a few rock formations, someone had made a shelter out of one of them using tree branches. We stopped to catch our breath and to rest. At the beginning of the hike we saw a couple of backpackers with a dog, the dog even had a backpack. It looked like they’re doing an overnight hike. Parts of the trail ran along the creek. When we were headed back to the Minnie we saw a couple with a young child on dad’s back, and a family of three who had just begun their hike. After crossing the creek and going back to our campsite we met another backpacking couple who were doing an overnighter. When we got near Baldy Loop, Larry checked for a cell phone signal. It was very faint but he was able to to check e-mail and the air quality report, smoke is visible, its from wildfires outside of Colorado. We had a great hike through the Gunnison National Forest.

 

Larry crossing South Lottis Creek

Entering the Fossil Wilderness of Gunnison National Forest

The trail

A blue jay

Which trail should we take

By the time we got home it was time for lunch. After lunch and resting for a bit we got the motorcycle off the carrier. We drove around for an hour or so. Lots of the drive was open range and there were lots of cattle roaming about. We started off driving east to Lakeview Campground, we are thinking about going there next. To get into the campground we had to open a gate because they didn’t want the cows in the campground. The campground wasn’t full and the roads are paved. They had sites with power and others with no power. There were a few sites available where it was first come first serve and some of the reservable sites that are going to be available Friday when we might move on but that’s two days away. 

 

Larry ready to go

Next we drove down the mountain pass to look at the lake, it’s very low. People were camping where the lake use to be. We had a pleasant surprise, a road that was dirt is now paved and it goes to where we plan to be next week. Larry drove a little of it and then turned around. We saw a gentleman stopped on the side of the road so Larry asked him how far it was paved. He said all the way through. This will save us quite a few miles. We stopped by an overlook of the lake. Then we went back to the campground.

 

The lake

Parked in the lake

Cows relaxing by the lake (open range)

Larry relaxed with a book. After dinner I walked around the campground for about an hour to get the rest of my steps. I ended up doing 28,000 steps. We walked and hiked 11.5 miles today.