In June of 2017, my wife and I (along with one other couple) helped facilitate a 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip for 17 young women (generally 15 to 17 years old). Our original plan was to hike from Missouri Lakes area and down Cross Creek Trail in the Holy Cross Wilderness. My wife and I did a long day trip (20 miles +/-) a week or two before our planned outing with everyone to check out the conditions. The Forest Service wasn't going to open the gate that allowed access to an upper parking area until a few days after the trip, so we started out about a mile down the road.
View from near our parking spot.
Spring hiking and wet trails!
Cross Creek was roaring, but fortunately there are great bridges in this area.
The trail varies from heavily forested/closed in to nice and open like this.
Small wonders to see along the trail.
Bring those bear bags! That is a bear print just off of the toe of my shoe.
Heading back home
