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Southern Colorado

A young grove of aspens in the Sawatch Range, where they are very common.

A view of the Elk Mountains from the Timberline Trail, north of Mirror Lake.

The CDT follows several multi-use trails (including some that are open to 4x4 vehicles) and sections of ill-defined tread while passing through the Sawatch Range. I believe this route is far superior to the non-motorized but boring route of the Colorado Trail, which stays on the eastern side of the range.

Mt. Princeton, one of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range, at 14,197.

The photographer assigned by National Geographic Adventure for its "Adventurer of the Year" feature, Brent Humphries, took his assistant and me on a wild off-road adventure before finding a suitable photo location. "What's the best type of 4x4 vehicle? A rental car!"

Brent (right) and assistant Blake (left) testing out some lighting scenarios. It is remarkable that Brent managed to get the photo that he did, as the weather was awful (rainy and cloudy) and the lighting was very tough (bright skies, dark ground).

This construction worker told me he had the best job in Colorado, and then I told him what I do for a living!

The Monarch Crest Trail/CDT, which is available for the enjoyment of hikers and mountain bikers, alike.

A porcupine, which I thankfully saw before stepping on him. As the days got shorter, I continued to put in long days by using a headlamp; but I had some freaky wildlife run-ins, including 3 or 4 skunks down in NM and AZ.

Mt Antero, a 14-er, from Sargents Mesa.

Two elk hunters in the Cochetopa Hills. Like many I met, they had not even seen an elk, while I was running into them constantly due to covering so much more ground.

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