Today the trail was very tough with many 600 foot ups and downs as it contoured around the huge Conejos River drainage. I saw an elk this morning shortly after leaving camp, but only the backside as it ran away. The trail was overgrown with willows and the tread was clumpy grass which gives my ankle a great deal of grief.  The views are amazing with mountain range after mountain range extending all the way to the horizon.

This morning was all high volcanic peaks and deep valleys, but this afternoon it seems like things are flattening out.  Could it be a taste of new Mexico?  It’s still very high and cold and windy though.  Tomorrow there’s a 10% chance of snow.  I hope it misses me and the trail to come.

I like this high flatter trail. It winds through the mountains and plateaus and and along the occasional lake in interesting and unexpected directions.

I am currently camped at 11,900 feet next to some scraggly trees to break the incessant wind.  There is a small unnamed pond a few hundred feet down the meadow.  It is so cold!  My fingers are getting numb and my shivering is making it difficult to type. It is time to wrap this up and put on gloves.

I only did 17 miles today, which leaves 24 miles to Cumbres pass and the hitch into Chama.