I had spent the day at work, helping the Entrance Station at Rocky Mount National Park, more specifically, the Beaver Meadows Entrance, directly outside of Estes Park, Colorado.  I had wanted to explore more of the high country in this state during this Summer season but the monsoons had a different idea.  So when I got an open window I went for the trail when I could.  After work, I got into my Jeep and drove up Highline Drive, towards Grand Lake Colorado.  This is the highest road in the Continental United States and quite the experience!  After coming down the mountain grade to the Grand Lake Entrance Station, I continued to make my way to Granby, Colorado.  The town of the documentary “Killdozer”.  I stopped here and grabbed dinner at the “Brickhouse 40”.  After this, I sent a message to Jess that I would be going out of service pretty soon, and I was in the home stretch to the Trailhead.  My Trailhead would be the East Fork Trail Head.  Here a dirt parking lot was directly next to Little Causeway Lake.  A few other cars were parked here but I had the lot to myself tonight…  I slept in the back of the Jeep and awoke in the morning to pack.  I remember a good amount of Mosquitoes in the area; the evening before I began my hike, I took a walk at sunset around part of the Lake.  Watching the clouds in the distance. 

The next morning, I began my walk on the East Fork Trail and then turned onto the Devil’s Causeway Trail for a short amount of time before breaking off to do a somewhat cross-country route on the Chinese Wall Trail.  The Trail here was scarce but not completely gone… Large Cairns dotted the way while you walk high above the Tree Line.  A Hiker is met with sweeping views of distant Mountain Ranges and valleys.  Small Alpine lakes are scattered around you in the nooks and crannies of a rocky plateau.  My goal for the day was to stand atop the highest point on the spine I was following… known as the Chinese Wall.  This highpoint is known as Lost Lake Peak and from the summit on one side is the plateau with incredible views while the other side drops down to Forested Canyons and Valleys.  Almost too beautiful for the human mind to understand. 

When I had begun this adventurous walk I noticed a sign near the Trail Head that mentions that Livestock were being used in the National Forest for grazing.  From my high camp, I could hear a Sheep on and off; I could not spot it and wondered if it had fallen but not died.   After setting up camp below on the high plateau, I needed water, and I set my sights on a Snow Melt Stream just off the side of the cliff face.  A Chute went down next to this Snow Melt and it was no more difficult to descend 10 or so feet to filter water than I had been to walk this beautiful plateau to a Mountain Summit.  After I successfully filtered water, I made my way back to camp before taking Sunset Photographs from the Mountain Peak.  I ate a Mountain House Dinner and came up with a game plan if I happen to end up in a situation with Lightning.  The clouds above me move quickly and are full of emotional stories to tell, all in the beautiful way a cloud shares tales and emotions.  Scouting out the safest place within a short walking distance.  After sunset I went to bed, tired but excited for the next day’s new adventure!

The next morning I awoke and began my walk back to the Jeep.  Climbing down the other side of the Plateau I had walked up and on a few trails down at the base of the Chinese Wall.  I was now amongst the trees and meadows.  Nearing the end of my weekend pilgrimage, I ran out of water, noticing that the Devil’s Causeway was very busy with people.  I had seen only a few people up to this point.

Once back at Oliver the Jeep, I re-hydrated as I drove and headed back home to Estes Park.  To eat, and video chat Jessica.

-Sky