Colorado Trail 2024 – Path of Solitude – Day 4
Border of Lost Creek Wilderness to Long Gulch

Distance hiked: 25,1 km/15,6 mi
Elevation gain: 785 m/2575 ft
Highest point: 3331 m/10928 ft
(data from my GPS watch, may be different from the official measurements) 

Disclaimer: 
Human written post with some minor AI improvements (to improve non-native speaker flaws). Photos edited in Affinity Photo 2 

Today, there was a subtle but noticeable shift – both in the landscape around me and in how I experienced it. This had a lot to do with the gain in altitude, now reaching well above 3,000 m / 10,000 ft. That’s more than 1,500 m / 5,000 ft higher than the starting point in Waterton Canyon.

My alarm woke me at 5:45 am, but I decided to stay a little longer in my sleeping bag. Eventually, that meant I didn’t hit the trail until 8:20 am. Still, I had a peaceful night and felt well-rested.

It was different, waking up completely alone in this beautiful forest clearing. I think it was the first time I truly felt that quiet sense of freedom: choosing my path, setting my pace, planning the day on my own terms. No human interaction, no distractions. Just me.

Not long after setting off, I entered the Lost Creek Wilderness. The trail was sometimes steep and rocky, then eased into lovely aspen groves with little creeks and lots of wildflowers, following an old logging road. After a few miles, the path left the road and turned into a proper leg burner – steep, rooty, rocky. I was huffing and puffing, but eventually reached the first high point of the day.

Around there, a small creek invited me to filter some fresh water. A few other hikers showed up, and we shared a short, friendly exchange. And remember how I wrote on Day 2 that I had lost my National Geographic map? Well – one of the guys came over and asked if someone had dropped a map in the burn area… Yep. That was mine. That’s the hiker community for you – helpful, observant, kind.

That was just one of many little trail moments that make this journey so special. So thanks again, my friend. I’m sorry I didn’t ask your name. We only saw each other once more in Twin Lakes. I hope the trail – and everything beyond – treated you well.

And yes, I still preferred to hike and camp alone for the most part. But it was nice to feel part of this bigger hiking community, where everyone hikes their own hike, at their own pace, with mutual respect along the way.

Later, going downhill for a bit, the first thunderstorm of my hike rolled in. I felt safe in the woods, and after less than half an hour, the rain and thunder had moved on.

Then came a stunning stretch, following the North Fork of Lost Creek, also known as Long Gulch. What a place. A gentle, steady ascent. Around every creek, an explosion of wildflowers. Blue skies, white clouds straight out of a postcard. For seven miles, it felt like walking through a painting. And yes, I was sweating again – but the heat had lost its sting compared to earlier days. I paused under a pine tree, aired out my feet, recharged my gear with the solar panel. This part of the trail felt extra good.

Eventually, the gulch ended and I re-entered the forest. There were some perfect tent spots, and I met two friendly guys who had already set up camp. But I still felt strong, so I kept going – descending quite a bit until I reached the creek above Long Gulch Trailhead. The skies were already turning gloomy again. A short but spectacular view opened between some rocks – mountain ranges in the distance, a glimpse into the next days of my hike!

When I arrived, I was a bit shocked – there were about a dozen tents already scattered around. One small spot was still free, but one of the hikers told me there was another site just across the creek.

I crossed over and found the perfect place for the night. Alone again, just how I needed it to be. I noticed that the bark of some aspen trees had been rubbed off. My first thought (naturally) was: bears. Claws. Yikes. But I later learned these are likely marks from elk or moose scratching their antlers.

I decided not to overthink it. I stashed my bear canister far from the tent, had a peaceful evening listening to light rain, wrote a bit, and fell asleep deeply.

Tips, experiences, lessons learned

One thing I never quite nailed on this hike: water management. I always wanted to be safe and carry enough. But on a segment like today, with plenty of water sources, I probably hauled an extra 1–2 lbs of unneeded weight. It’s not easy to find the perfect balance, but next time, I might trust the map (and my instincts) a bit more.

Another little lesson: In Long Gulch, there were some mosquitoes. Not terrible – just mildly annoying when taking breaks. While resting under a large pine tree, I noticed that the mosquitos mostly stayed away from the ground covered in pine needles. So at least in this area, pine shade = nap zone. Good to know.

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