Day 30: July 21 Walden, CO to Grand Lake, CO 72 miles

Tuesday, 7/21/81
Shadowcliff Hostel, Grand Lake, CO

The omnipresent cattle.

Got up at 5:20 (had to pee) before sunrise. This got the others up and off to an early start. Entered the forest after 25 miles to everyone's relief and delight. Climbed over the Divide at Willow creek Pass (9,683 ft.) Very easy 2-mile climb. Ten miles coast down the other side. Lunch at a NFS campground. Rode through Granby 15 miles to Grand lake. Beautiful rustic/modern hostel on cliff overlooking lake. Bret, Rick, and I went to a waterfall after dinner to play and drink beer, I'm writing in front of a popping fire with other guests.

Rick and Jack take a break at Willow Creek Pass

We left the TransAmerica Trail behind today so we could cross Rocky Mountain National Park.

Built entirely of unpainted, finished wood, the Shadowcliff Hostel was perched on a rocky cliff 300 feet above Grand Lake. Everyone had to walk their bikes up to it but it was worth the embarrassment.


 

Dike at Willow Creek Pass.