02    Silverton - Lake City    71 km

Following a day off in Silverton we took the hostel shuttle to Molas Pass in the morning. Everyone else on the shuttle was going south to Durango. The first part from the pass was downhill to the railroad which follows the Animas River from Durango to Silverton. After crossing the tracks and the river it was uphill. The trail climbs and climbs in the Elk Creek Valley. Eventually we crossed the tree line into the open. It was a very sunny day. And it turned out to be the busiest day but the Waterton Canyon of the CT. We met in total 36 hikers. Once we reached the top we went down on the other side to an old mining camp. Two buildings are still standing. One is locked and the other has a partial roof. We set up our camp inside the open building. Around the building were the remnants of the old mine with tailings, railway tracks and mining mouths.

Next morning we followed the old CT route and walked down the Bear Creek to get to the Rio Grande. The beginning included some bushwhacking. But soon it became easy walking as it was downhill. At the Rio Grande I started walking across in my boots. The water became too deep. I turned around and wanted to get into my creek crossing shoes. There were a couple of ORV's. One rider saw me going back and asked whether I wanted to have a ride across the river. I gladly accepted and was driven across without getting wet. Now we followed uphill the Pole Creek. Once being up near Cataract Lake we stopped for the night

It was a nice morning next day. The trail was in good condition and we met eight hikers. Later we ran into a number of ORV's as the trail follows a dirt road. Once we got to a point well past Carsons Pass we looked back and saw a big thunderstorm approaching. We went back down to the pass to be lower and went to a roofless former mining cabin. To make good use of the waiting time we had an early lunch inside the roofless cabin. A couple on their ORV took shelter too. They gave us some oranges. That was a nice treat. Here we were hailed on. Looking outside and seeing the rain coming we decided to walk to Lake City down Carson Valley along CO 9 and later CO 30. Partially down the valley it started raining quite heavily. While covering under some trees the rain went on and on. So we decided to move on in the rain. While it was still raining we finally reached road CO 30. After a while walking down this road the first car came by in our direction. They were fully occupied but never the less stopped. Once they learned were we came from and were we were heading the driver told her husband "honey why don't you get the Jeep and give them a ride into town". They turned around to drive home and shortly after returned with two cars and gave us a ride into town. The hostel was full but we could stay camping outside. The second night we got a bunk inside.

Ascent of the CT in Elk Creek Valley to CDT / CT

View back into Elk Creek Valley above the tree line

Former mining camp in Bear Creek Valley

Ascent to highest point of CT

Remains of a former mine

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