Journey Day 441 | CDT Day 104

Boulder Reservoir, 1987.

9/26/87

Up in high winds that blew all night, assemble pack in tent, outside it takes strategy (two stakes left in 'til last) to take down tent. Back toward the others, find on the precarious path. Hike back past my site, heavy winds, near freezing temperatures. Bypass two high peaks (highest CDT point). Others afraid. We apparently take the wrong cairned trail down to the wrong lake which leads us to a futile search for a road that was uphill. Instead we bushwhack miles in the wrong direction, find ourselves miles out of place, on the south fork of Boulder Creek (same as the one up the canyon to Hessie).

We meet a fisherman and his family. He details our folly. Down a ways to empty reservoir. Meet Mike Callahan and Pam Kowalski of Denver, who are having a beer by the reservoir that was. I strike up a conversation that leads to a ride for the four of us, three packs tied on the hood out to 119 at Rollinsville, close to Boulder. After donuts, etc., at store, beers finished from Mike and Pam, short walk, ride there when we get to a spot where they notice us. Drive us to the next intersection, slightly longer wait 'til ride to a tunnel, which we hike through warily. Young Colorado University students give us shuttle (two at a time) to ramp, where we sample homemade chili. Hitching out front when customers say," In the back of the white truck" when we tell him our destination. After ride under threatening skies down interstate, we're drinking coffee in convenience store/restaurant in Georgetown. Wait out rain, hike through town, uphilll, camping in aspen grove along creek near reservoir.