Journey Day 450 | CDT Day 113

A new home under construction, Tin Cup, Colorado, October 1987.

10/5/87

At lake site, eat oatmeal sent by A.T. friend Austin Kennedy, hike up from pretty, high Schoenke Lake into bowl leading to the Divide. Excellent views to the Sawatch Range, Three Apostles. Cold drives me off, down to a pass, but not before encountering a large goat herd in the rocks, foreground of peaks just south of Browns Pass. Also the Maroon Bells perhaps beyond the Sawatch. Long photo session until sheep run off after allowing me to reload.

Long break at Brown's Cabin, well appointed, excellent spring. Sign register, take advantage of privy. Then down North Texas Creek, pushing back into pines, down to roadhead. Back on (CDT Trail guide author Jim) Wolf's route, push over to Cottonwood Pass Road, climbing over ridge in trees.

Late lunch at Cottonwood Creek after walking up road, passed by cars. Then on, crossing creeks in trees, racing daylight. End up hiking all the way to Curt and Joy Winters' house in Tin Cup, after climbing back above treeline. Excellent view down to Taylor Park Reservoir, back to the Sawatches as the sun drops, leavng red skies before dark.

Dark as I descend ridge. Moon bright, but patchy in trees. A few close ones down the rough road, hit main road eventually, getting cold. Turn left down to town of Tin Cup, seems to be an eternity to lights. Nearly camp, but see lights and rejoice. Falsely encouraged, as the town is closed down, but walk to single light, eventually learn location of the Winters home from a guy working in another house. Walk up to their camp, find the entire town population around their table, playing cards. A bit spaced, freezing, meet all, then up to bath and shower. Heavenly.

Back down to massive meal, more cards, talk. Watch video of Ben the garbage bear. Company leaves, talking in the kitchen when Curt notices Ben's back! Feed him cheese and apples aplently. Leftover food from camp. Big brown bear nearly enters their home through the window to get the cheese. Eventually full, he hikes off into the brush. We relax, eat ice cream, look at maps, talk until 2 a.m. They're too nice to go to bed, so I eventually take the initiative.