roverrocks
08-01-2011, 08:41 PM
On July 30, the wife and I wheeled up to and along a small part of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail open to four wheeling near Lake City, CO. Terrific views in all directions on a day that got stormier and stormier as the high peaks and forests disappeared in and out of dark rain. Alpine wildflowers were in abundance though starting to decline a bit as the peak has passed. Great views down below of Lake City, Lake San Cristobal, and the Slumgullion Slide that formed the lake. A number of fourteeners were in view to the west that we used to hike in our younger, more vibrant days. Earlier in the day we hiked up American Basin just below Handies Peak but decided the oomph just wasn't there to get to the top. Doesn't get much better than the wildflower heaven that is American Basin. Too many people there though. The alpine trails and views we wheeled up to get to the Continental Divide south of Lake City were virtually deserted however. Isolation is bliss.