trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
day 1 | day 2 | day 3 | day 4 | info page
Lime Creek – Straight Creek
Good morning. Blue sky. 
Life is great in the Rockies when the weather is clear. 
This marmot seemed to be questioning my good mood. What does he know?
The wildflowers are fantastic in July. 
Vistas wide open. Much of this hike is above the treeline. 
Clear mountain streams burble. 
There’s a little bit of snow left on north facing slopes. But not much. 
These ladies had an ideal campsite under the full moon. They were hiking about 10 miles / day. No rush. 
I was one happy hiker, myself. 
I snacked on raisin min-bagels and extra sharp cheddar cheese. 
Lovin’ it. 
Here’s the weirdest geological anomaly.
On the downside you must share this paradise with car campers.
One group couldn’t be bothered to drive out their trash. 😦
Horseback travellers are cool, though. 
As usual, the skies darkened in the afternoon. 
I wanted to cross Blackhawk Pass before stopping for the day. 
Here it is … I thought at the time. 
Nope. The real Blackhawk Pass (11,985ft) was far, far more challenging. I wasn’t sure I’d actually make it before the weather closed on me.
When I finally crossed and found water, there was no campsite. I went off-trail to the creek and set up my tent on the upslope side of a large tree, one of the few possible places to set up on a steep slope. 
It was fairly flat … after I propped up one corner on rocks. 
more high resolution photos of day 2
besthike.com 