Day #49-Sometimes the CDT gets sketchy. Miles hiked: 24.2

Today we had two major passes to contend with: Lake Ann and Hope Pass. First up was Lake Ann, but only after a lovely descent through crusty post holes with snow melt creeks underneath. Delicious.

After the descent, it was time to enter the Collegiate Peaks, a famous section of the CDT.

Next up, a 3000 ft climb up to the pass.

Coming off of Lake Ann pass is where things got a bit more exciting…it’s famous for always have a gnarly cornice, even late into the season. For those who don’t know, a cornice is a vertical wall of snow on the top of a ridge formed from wind loading all winter long. With no alternates, we had to go straight on down. Ice axe and microspikes required.

I won’t lie, it was pretty scary. However, the bottom mellowed out and turned into one big glissade track, or hiker slide if you prefer.

After the pass and a snowy descent back below tree line, the trail gave us a nice break with some dry trail to walk in through a valley bursting with spring.

The final challenge for the day was Hope Pass, a famous climb of almost 3000 ft in just over 2 miles. Hope does require going uphill sometimes…

This pass is also the halfway point in a famous ultramarathon called the Leadville 100. As tired as I was, I can’t imagine climbing it in the middle of a 100 mile race.

Goodnight from an aspen grove…Twin Lakes and new shoes tomorrow!