It's All Down Hill from Here

Today, Scarecrow checked in at the top of Gray's Peak - the highest point along the Continental Divide Trail.  This marks the second 14er that Scarecrow and Jabba have hiked up and over.  Earlier this week, he reached the top of Mt. Elbert, which is the HIGHEST of all the 14,000+ foot mountains in Colorado.  Hiking Mt. Elbert was a side trip they took, as it was not officially on the trail.  Gray's Peak is along the trail, in the Front Range, and is listed as the highest in this range.

Top of Gray's Peak, elevation 14,278 feet

Want to read about this mountain top? Click GRAY'S PEAK to learn more.  Scarecrow and Jabba will descend and continue North to Grand Lakes, and then onto Steamboat Springs.  I guess we can safely say, "It's ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE."

Safe, happy trails you guys.

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife

Climbing in Colorado...

After a false start back onto the trail due to a mudslide, Scarecrow made it back on by Wednesday, and caught up to Jabba a day or two later.  They are headed from Monarch Pass to Twin Lakes, with such beautiful scenery along the way.  Because Scarecrow has sketchy service, I am "borrowing" the photos you see here from Jabba's pictures.  You can look him up on Facebook if you want to see more at "The Real Hiking Viking".
During this leg of the hike, the hikers ventured off on a side trip to climb their first 14er.  Click HERE to see the entire list of 14,000+ foot mountains.  Mt. Elbert is the name of this beautiful, scenic land they are standing on.  Its elevation is 14,433 feet.

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

 This mountain is part of the Sawatch Range and is the highest elevation they will encounter while on on this hike.  They will also summit Gray's Peak, which is part of the Front Range, and noted as the highest point on the CDT, reaching a whopping 14,270 feet further up the trail.  As you can see, the view is breathtaking.  Thank you Jabba for including Scarecrow in your photo shoot.

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

Scarecrow and Jabba were accompanied by two of Jabba's friends for this climb, and were there to enjoy the view and some refreshments upon completion.

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

After speaking with Teddy, he said while he and the group were ascending, he got a chuckle over imagining me trying to hike this ~ he and I both know how THAT would have ended.  So, after this excursion was through, they headed into a town called Breckenridge for resupply.

I got to speak with Scarecrow today, and they are on the move again, rested and resupplied.  He is happy, healthy and full of life as he continues on his journey.  Please enjoy the next few photos of our favorite hiker, thanks to Jabba.  I tried to enlarge them as much as possible, some decided to hang off the page - I don't mind because the beauty and accomplishment in these photos is worth hanging out for :)

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

photo by The Real Hiking Viking

Still tracking Scarecrow's progress? Click where is Scarecrow now? to see his progress.
Happy Trails, Scarecrow.  Have fun, be safe, we love you. Olive Juice.

Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife