Journey Day 424 | CDT Day 87

Charles Larsen and his son on Sept. 9, 1987.

9/9/87

Happy to learn our road lies ahead, we leave Eloy (a bit befuddled about the road to Twin Groves) after more coffee. Hot,dry push to ridge, drop to bottom lands through main ranch building (toros) on Bolton Ranch. More harsh words as we follow power lines to the road. It's hot!

Eat, rest, get oriented by worker on a water pipeline project on the ranch. About fourth car picks us up. It's Charles Larsen, heir to Larsen Ranch near the Divide. This long-white-haired fellow is humorous, we hit it off. Tells me how Edison conceived of the light bulb at Battle Lake, a family feud over ranch management with his brother. Offers to drive us to the ranch, where the trail leads to the Divide. At the ranch, we get water, he offers to take us into the national forest so his son can check damage to the road to the ranch. Larsen's father and grandfather built much of present-day Rawlins, stone from ranch quarries in many buildings.

The Larsens and their truck carried to their ranch and the Continental Divide.

So after perusing the beginnings of an energy-efficient home to replace crumbling structures decaying up the hill, we drive into the forest. Overjoyed to be back in the mountains, on a ridge in trees. Beautiful pines and aspen changing at lower elevations. Hike short bit, eat lunch. Onward in corridor on ridge, meet Carl at a steep road intersection, he thinks it's (guidebook writer Jim) Wolf's route. Hike another mile, camp, find water in ravines, bad vibes before truce.