Frickin' amazing. That's the only way i can describe where i am, following the Arkansas River through the Bighorn Sheep Canon. Few cars, no people and awesome views. A few weeks back some killjoy commented that I'd be stupid going into the mountains this time of year. Now to me that sounds like a challenge, and whilst in the Cotopaxi Store i found my mountain. A big map on the wall showed a trail not on my map or GPS. It cuts straight over the mountain range I'm currently taking the girly route around, and would knock at least a day off my walk. Sold.

To get to my mountain required an extra trek past my original campsite to Hayden Creek a few miles uphill. After a 26 mile day and a 1,400ft ascent i was there, albeit a bit colder, wetter and pretty darn tired.