01    Durango - Silverton    117 km

Having driven from Jackson Hole Wyoming by car we returned it at Durango Airport. Holiday Inn's phone was down. This meant there was no pick up from the hotel. Talking many drivers we finally got a ride into town. The town's main attraction is the Durango & Silverton Railroad. We saw the train coming back into town and visited the railroad museum. No packages had arrived at the post office. So I got them resent to the last trail town Bailey. A hotel shuttle drove us the start of the Colorado Trail at the end of town. The first part of the trail was used by many dog walkers and bikers, also a number of through hikers who had come all the way from Denver. Several times we heard grumble from near by thunderstorms. Together with a number of other hikers we staid at bridge crossing Junction Creek for the first night on the trail.

Next morning everything was wet. It was sunny with some clouds all day long. It was a long climb out of the valley. At the top of Indian Trail Ridge I was reminded of knifes edge. Here we were above the tree line. The second night was at a dry spot shortly after having passed Cape of Good Hope. In the morning there was a single lightning strike from straight above us followed by strong thunder. We had a late start and followed a relatively easy trail. Like the previous days as well as the coming ones we met every day 15 to 25 hikers coming from Denver, and than there are far too many bikers. There were also three bikers from Stuttgart. There were enough water sources along the trail. We stopped short of Black Hawk Mountain staying still in the trees.

Next morning we climbed to over 12,000 feet and had a great view from the top. Weather was good all day long. The trail had many steep slopes along mountain sides. We staid for the night shortly past Cascade Creek in the forest again. Next day was a long stretch with great views again and above tree line. Eventually we went down to Molas Pass. At Little Molas Lake parking lot we had no luck and had to move on to the pass. Here we got a ride into town. The hostel was full so we had to stay at a motel. Next day we could move to the hostel which now had bunks available. All day was spent in town with good food and sightseeing.

View back towards Durango

Waterfall at CT

CT near Rolling Mountain

Bear grass near CT

Bank teller in Silverton

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