In 90° weather, I hit the trail with ambitions high and a smile shining bright as the sun. The walk through Waterton Canyon was pretty smooth and steady which made all the dramatic views so much easier to take in. I even spotted some of the notorious bighorn sheep which was quite a sight to see.

Stopping on a rocky outcrop to camp for the night, a brief storm rolled through and left behind a glorious double rainbow.

Restless sleep led to watching the sunrise on the morning of day two. Wild rabbit greeted me on the trail as I left for the day and headed off towards South Platte, a section cleared by wildfires. Abundant open views and colorful wildflowers kept me happily hiking through the 90° afternoon.

I stopped to grab water at the local fire department and from there could see the worsening clouds as rain was predicted for the evening. Linking up with a small mini tramily for the evening. We all created a convoy and headed out into the wet.

Damp clothes in 50° air temperatures is what I woke to on the third day on the Colorado Trail. Only a quick stop at the river for breakfast and water before a long climb up to a high alpine meadow.

Only after safely setting up camp, did a rainstorm roll through but then turned into a frigid hail storm which was a trail first for me.