After two months of heading due west, we headed north from Cañon City, up along the continental divide, through Breckenridge and Silverthorne. My next destination was Elliot Creek Campground, in Heeney, CO. Russ should make it the same day, as he left before me.

The scenery, not surprisingly, was spectacular, and although I was sorry to leave Eastridge, I was excited for what looked like another great area for hiking. But first, my Subaru had to make it over Hoosier Pass (at 11,542 feet, the highest elevation on the Trans-American Bike Route)—which she did, like a champ!

Elliot Creek Campground, on the Green Mountain Reservoir, is delightful, even if snowmelt streams still run through several campsites (including mine). There was a small waterfall just behind my trailer, and a good view of the reservoir out front.

I got there early afternoon on Saturday the 4th, and Russ showed up soon after. Sunday we decided to check out the trail along the Blue River that flows below the reservoir dam—a hotspot for fly fishermen. The way down to the river turned out to be a nearly vertical drop, and even though I’d convinced Russ to get some better hiking shoes, he didn’t feel he could make it down that slope. BUT on the way there, we saw a young man radio-tracking something, and we stopped to chat with him. He was tracking bighorn sheep for the CO wildlife service, and while we were talking, he pointed out a young ewe standing just across the road! He also identified the groundhog-like creature I’d seen earlier as a marmot. Back at camp, we spotted a golden-mantled ground squirrel (a chipmunk without facial stripes), and the next day I saw a least chipmunk (striped face) and a pine squirrel (they’re called chickarees, which I think is adorable).

Russ headed out early the next day to avoid anticipated thundershowers, and I made another attempt to get to the river, this time accompanied by Moe (I didn’t think I could get myself up and down that steep slope holding Scooby, and he for sure was not going to make it on his own). So, leaving Scooby peacefully snoozing in the camper, Moe and I headed out. Despite my best efforts, I slid on the hill and ended up descending about halfway on my rear, a painful and undignified process. My hands were a bit scraped up, and my butt was sore, but thank goodness my shorts survived! So I dusted myself off and decided that, as long as I was already down, I might as well keep going.

And oh my God, was I ever glad! Even I could not take a bad picture of this river canyon (and believe me, I can take BAD pictures). It was simply stunning. Moe had his BEST. DAY. EVER. while I enjoyed the scenery and tried not to break anything.

He even went swimming! Nearly gave me another heart attack, as I thought he’d be swept downstream.

Of course, there were wildflowers in abundance:

No, I’m not a wildflower expert. That’s what Google is for!

Moe and I made it back to the car without mishap, to find a marmot sunning himself by my front fender. We sat some distance away and watched for a bit, then returned to camp just before a thunderstorm hit. I was exhausted, but thrilled with all I’d seen.