June 28-July 3, 2009 Trail Report for the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail (CT/CDT) from above Cataract Lake (CT Segment 23 / CDT Segment 34) southbound along the CT Cataract Ridge Reroute to the split where the CT leaves the CDT near the headwaters of Elk Creek in CDT Segment 35 and continuing southbound on the CDT thru CDT Segment 37 to Weminuche Pass
Bottom Line: no dangerous snow or difficult stream crossings
Started at the Lost Trail Creek Trailhead northwest of the west end of the Rio Grande Reservoir and hiked up the West Lost Trail Creek Trail. Saw a cow moose and two spindly-legged elk calves that acted like we were the first hikers they ever saw.
Joined the CT/CDT above Cataract Lake just before where the CT/CDT now follows the Cataract Ridge Reroute rather than descending the Pole Creek drainage. The reroute is a roller coaster, but the scenery is spectacular and the trail is well marked. Saw a herd of over 100 elk in one valley, with another 50 elk on the opposite ridge. The wildflowers were incredible the whole trip. Continued southbound on the CDT to Weminuche Pass and took the Weminuche Trail down to the east end of the Rio Grande Reservoir at ThirtyMile Campground.
Snow conditions: I am extremely timid when crossing snow, but none of the snow patches were difficult. Most were less than 20 feet across and had a way to walk around them if you found them to be icy in the early morning. Arrived at the saddle southwest of The Window at 9 AM and decided to use yaktraks to cross that snow patch which was the longest and steepest of any we crossed, but the yaktraks were probably not necessary.
Water crossings: none were difficult, scouted a couple a short way upstream to find a better crossing.
Trail conditions: It is amazing to find bogs on the top of mountains, but there was a lot of wet trail. If CT/CDT maintainers could train the elk to stay off the trail, the trail would be in better condition; otherwise just walk through the squishy areas.
Trail finding: The sections where the CT and CDT follow the same route were well marked. After the CT split to go down the Elk Creek drainage, the CDT is occasionally less well marked. Older guide books do not describe the currently marked route between a point north of Middle Ute Lake and a point southeast of Ute Lake. The Trails Illustrated Map 140 is correct in this area.
Weather: The San Juans have entered the afternoon thundershower pattern. Three days we set up the tent and napped while the thunder echoed around us, then took down the tent and covered more miles in lovely sunshine. Plan to start every day early so you don’t feel you have to hike through the storms. Although you are up near the divide, there is enough up and down that it was not difficult to find a relatively safe (lower) place to wait out the storms.
Met 4 CDT northbound thru-hikers: Llama and Sarah; Dylan and Load
Turtle Walking