Me and Ethan at the start of the hike - The sign is for the Continental Divide Trail Head.

This Summer we went on a 22 mile hike in the San Juan National Forest in Colorado. We split the hike over three days camping each night. We did the most hiking on our first day 9 miles - which was also the toughest day. We started around 13,000 ft. at the continental divide and got caught in two brief but scary hail storms on the the top of the divide. After that, the weather was perfect, and we all had a great time. Ethan was a trooper, and we can't wait to do it again next summer. Here I am the day before we started hiking. We were checking out the place where we would end our hike and meet our car.

SCENES FROM DAY 1 - Ethan checks out an abandoned mine site.

That is me with my 32 pound pack!

Descending from the Continental Divide Trail to the Elk Creek drainage area on the Colorado Trail. This section was the most amazing part of the hike.

On the trail along Elk Creek

Near the start of the hike on Day 1

That is ice ... on the mountain in August.

Ethan is ready to start his adventure!

This is just after passing through two hail storms - we are sitting at the point where the Continental Divide Trail intersects the Elk Creek Trail.

This is the stream near our campsite for the first night - William is filtering water.

Night 1 - home sweet home.

Sun setting against the mountain.

Our kitchen area -William and Ethan start a fire.

Dinner is served!

SCENES FROM DAY TWO - Animas River - Where we will make camp for the second night.

Ethan soaks his feet.

SCENES FROM DAY 3

A chilly start to the morning.

Looking down over the Animas River valley - we hiked up 44 mountain switchbacks this day.

Big Molas Lake

We ended our hike at our car at Little Molas Lake. We did a point to point hike as we got a ride to the start and left our car at Little Molas Lake at the end. It was an amazing experience, and we are already planning our backpacking trip for next summer - a longer one!

BEAR CREEK CABINS (Near Telluride - DAY 4)

For the next several days we stayed at Bear Creek Cabins between Delores Colorado and Telluride. We spent our days hiking and taking trips into Telluride.

Some resident humming birds.

William bringing our bags to the cabin.

Our day hike to Hope Lake - which was amazing.

We had someone on the trail take a picture of us.

Hope Lake - a hidden oasis.