colorado logo    -3-
( August 5th, 1980 to October 8th, 1980 )



lion sightingI thought I saw....
September 3, 1980 -- Day 145

Something was lying down underneath some trees to the left, about 100 yards further down the trail, and then sprinted across this area as I approached.


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signpostLast of the Continental Divide
September 3, 1980 -- Day 145

This was the last night and campsite for me on the Continental Divide. The next day, September 4th, I hiked down old mining roads, past Summitville, and on to Del Norte to meet up with the group again.

Wolf Creek Pass to Elwood Pass to Summitville to Del Norte "map"
map route

Summitville in September 2024, text and photo from Tim Ernst:
Summitville Mine, Colorado. It's always fun to roam around this high-altitude (11,500') ghost town that once produced
a great deal of gold and silver. It's a toxic Superfund Site now, with nearly 1/4 billion $$$$$ already spent to clean it up. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summitville_mine)
mine

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flowersMore mountain flowers
September 4, 1980 -- Day 146




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approaching the dunesApproaching the Sand Dunes
September 11, 1980 -- Day 153

Less than a days hike away -- the sand dunes.

Contingent Leaves Its Footprints Across Continent by Jeff Syme, Courier Staff Writer


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gsdnm signpostGreat Sand Dunes National Monument
September 11, 1980 -- Day 153

Sand, blown by the winds across the San Luis valley, gather to form these sand dunes, at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.


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dimensions signDimensions of the dunes and park
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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3 approachingExploring the dunes
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154

3 left, but only 1 returned.....

Rich Warnick
Monty Montgomery
Marce Guerrein


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dunes3Slow going
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154

Even without a pack, hiking in the dunes
was slooooooow and tedious.


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dunesthe dunes....the dunes
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154

Scenic for sure, but not a great place for lunch when the wind was blowing.


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view back to campA view back to the camp area.
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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dunes cliffSteep embankment
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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sandflowerSandflower
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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sandcampCamping at the dunes
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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dinner1Dinner at the dunes
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154

A real luxury -- picnic tables with which to prepare and eat dinner. Pictured are Dale Tressler, Ryan Bozis, and Mike Collins.


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dinner2Marika Matyus and David Chernow
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154

See how happy she is to have a picnic table to eat off of ????


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bandana boyeeeBandana boyeee -- William Ewart
September 12, 1980 -- Day 154




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leaving the dunesDeparting the dunes
September 13, 1980 -- Day 155

The trail led east from the sand dunes, through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains,
via Mosca Pass.


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sunsetSunset
September 13, 1980 -- Day 155




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