I was on the trail at 7:20, and hiked the rest of Rogers Pass road until it rejoined the CDT on the ridge.  Moosh and Sunshine were camped there, and shortly after Gaucho came along so we all ascended James Peak together.  At 13,300 feet it was the highest point yet.

We then descended the other side to Fall River, then back up to Mt Flora at 13,100 feet. Apparently it is possible to traverse the ridge from James Peak to Mt Flora. I think if I had to do it all over again I would try this ridge route. It is supposedly steep and pretty tough, but it is several miles shorter and avoids the huge descent to Fall River.

I was making good time today and soon got far ahead of the others.  I descended Mt Flora past Colorado Mines Peak which is bristling with huge microwave and radio towers. You can also hear a really loud whining sound here. I thought it was coming from the towers, but I later learned it was coming from the Henderson Mine many miles ahead. The wind and mountains seem to funnel the noise through here.

The trail descends way down to Berthoud Pass where I got water at a questionable creek right below a disgusting rest area bathroom that smelled so bad I didn’t want to even go in. My only hope is that nothing from that bathroom leaked into the creek.

I hiked a mile up the other side before making camp right at tree line. I’m not far off the trail and on a sandy spot next to some low stunted bushes.  17 miles today.

I’m running low on food and starting to ration.  I was tempted to hitch in to Fraser for the night but I need to stop messing around and get this done.
Moosh and Sunshine just passed my camp.  They always walk an hour or two into the night. They said Gaucho was camped by the road near Berthoud Pass.  I will probably see him tomorrow morning – he gets up very early.