Getting an early startDetouring to a parallel trail toward San Luis PeakClear skies ahead build my optimism for a good summit dayHiking pass some beaver dams on the Stewart Creek TrailAfter hours of hiking, I look back toward the Eddiesville TH Then thick gray clouds roll in and the trail becomes talusI can’t see a thing and it’s getting cold up hereThe clouds part for the briefest of moments when I reach the summitSan Luis Peak – 14,022′Hunkering down while I wait for Puff Puff to join mePuff Puff makes it to the summit with freezing cold handsHeading down toward the CT as freexing rain and hail begin to pelt usTrying not to slip on the wet talus and trailMy hands are frozen for the next 2.5 hours as the freezing rain persistsBack on the Colorado Trail, we return to lush, green hillsAfter several hours, the rain starts to abateHello, little birdWet wildflowersStopping for lunch before we have to head up an over the next series of peaksWe finally catch up to Sing Song, Squirrel, and Indy after the next passThe storm pushes out and we remain under blue skies for the rest of the afternoonOur campsite right along Middle Mineral Creek
