Brian’s Microblog

July 05, 2026

We got up fairly early and John made us a breakfast of oatmeal and English muffins. Then he and Norma drove us up to one of Copper Mountain ski area’s lower parking lots where we found the end of Colorado Trail segment 7. We did this segment backwards because the climb is a bit shorter. Because we got a ride to Copper Mountain we only brought one backpack with lunch, water and filter, first aid stuff, and raincoats.

We got on the trail a little bit after 8:00. The trail wandered down Tenmile Creek for a little ways to find a bridge and then it started going up, up, up!

It was fairly brisk in the morning, and we were in the shade for the first few miles of this climb. It does climb quite steeply at times. Eventually, it turns and follows along the ridge of the Continental Divide, which is the ridge between Peak 6 and Peak 5 of the 10 Mile Range, up to a saddle where we get to walk on the continental divide itself. We found some snow up in this area, but also some beautiful flowers.

We met several other Colorado Trail Hikers on this segment because we are going the wrong way. So we saw several new people as well as a couple who we had camped near earlier. We had some good conversations with some of them, including a very free spirited young man. We also saw two mountain bikers – the western part of this segment is definitely a trail only for expert mountain bikers!

We got some really nice views as we worked our way up the hill, but as the day went on hazy smoke begin somewhat obscuring the further mountain peaks. We stopped for a while near the top and had a lunch of leftover pizza and dried fruit. We saw a couple of marmots in that area. We also heard a pika but could not spot it.

As the trail finally reaches the Continental Divide it is near a ski lift on the east side of Peak 6. The trail follows the ridge north and up towards Peak 5 and we found some beautiful flowers managing to grow among the jumble of rocks.

The trail crosses to the east side of Peak 5 and descends gradually towards a perpendicular ridge that forms part of an impressive bowl.

We descended steeply into the bowl and then more gradually down and out to the highway over several miles. We caught the bus and returned to the townhouse.

Norma made us a delicious tamale casserole for dinner and then we watched England beat Mexico in the World Cup. We also showered and did a final load of laundry.

14.7 miles, 3000 ascent and 3600 descent, in nine hours.