PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS
Ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is;
and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16
By Scott McMullen, W5ESE
Special to The ARS Sojourner
Like penitents of the Middle Ages making their way to the spiritual
centers at Canterbury or Chartres, Adventure Radio enthusiasts
undertake journeys to natural sites of grandeur and inspiration.
After some online research and studying National Forest maps, I
decided to backpack along a trail segment near Leadville, Colorado,
which is simultaneously on the Colorado Trail (a nearly 500 mile long
path from Denver to Durango) and the Continental Divide Trail (a 3100
mile long route from Canada to Mexico). These trails have an advantage
of being well-marked and easy to follow.
The trail I planned to hike is designated as segment 9 of the Colorado
Trail, and begins near Tennessee Pass (10424'), northeast of Leadville
on US 24. The segment ends on the Hagerman Pass road near Turquoise
Lake.
On Sunday, September 3, I parked in the trailhead parking area at
Tennessee Pass, and coaxed group of mountain bikers to take a photo of
me at the trailhead.
I followed the trail through a subalpine forest a little over 6 miles
to the boundary of the Holy Cross Wilderness, where I filled out a
wilderness use permit. A short distance beyond this, along the creek
in Long's Gulch, there was a nice clearing on a low rise above the
trail, and I walked up to this site to make camp.
I hung a 67' end fed wire (two shorter segments joined by disconnects)
for an antenna and spread a couple radials, hoping to make an 80 meter
contact, then set up the rest of my camp. After, enjoying the evening
meal and hanging the food from a tree limb, I fired up my QRP rig (an
AT Sprint 3). I wasn't able to raise anything on 80 meters, but had a
short contact on 40 meters with W0QVQ near Omaha, Nebraska.
After breakfast the next morning, I broke camp and prepared some water
for the day (using iodine tablets to treat the water). The trail
climbed a low ridge between Long's and Porcupine Gulches. As the
trail descended into Porcupine Gulch, there was a small scenic lake on
a plateau on the edge of ridge.
The trail reached the creek on the bottom of Porcupine Gulch, then
began climbing the other side. This section of the trail offered some
dramatic views of the upper reaches of Porcupine Gulch, with the peaks
of the Sawatch along the Continental Divide in the background.
Lower down, the gulch was heavily forested, with US Highway 24 and
Tennessee Park at the foot of the gulch.
Gradually, the trail climbed to the top of a high ridge extending
eastward from Galena Mountain.
From this ridge, the trail descended to a plateau high above Turquoise
Lake. Galena Lake was seated on this plateau.
The trail began climbing again, up a south-tending ridge on a shoulder
of Galena Mountain, gaining the top of the ridge. I decided to make
camp on this high ridge instead of descending to Turquosie Lake, as I
was pretty beat. As well, this was a much better site from which to
play in the Spartan Sprint! How's that for rationalizing?
I put up my tent in a sheltered area in some trees and set up
camp. For an antenna, I just put up a 34' inverted L for 40 and 20
meters, and set out some radials. Although this camp was dry, I had a
couple quarts of water, which was enough for camping overnight.
In the evening, I had a short QSO with John, K4BAI, in Georgia, which
confirmed the QRP gear was working okay. Then the Spartan Sprint
began. This was my first time to participate in the Sprint from bona
fide "Adventure Radio" QTH, and I had alot of fun. I completed 8
contacts on 20 meters and 12 on 40 meters. But I began falling asleep
before the contest ended; so much for the best-laid plans!
In the morning, I broke camp, and began the return trip, following the
same route on which I came in. As I descended into Porcupine Gulch, I
took this nice shot of a creek crossing along the trail.
I crossed the creek at the bottom of the gulch, and began the ascent
of the low ridge dividing Porcupine and Long's gulches. I had the idea
of looking for a nice camping spot on this ridge, but didn't find any
spot suitable, and finally made camp in Long's Gulch at the same camp
spot I had stayed at 2 evenings earlier.
I made a couple QSOs with the QRP rig; on 30 meters with WB5BRD in
Mena, Arkansas, and on 40 meters with K0JEM in Kansas City, Missouri.
The next morning, I continued the hike out. Just outside the
wilderness area, I found this ruin of an old cabin that I hadn't even
noticed during the hike in.
My intention was to make one final camp a mile or so from the
trailhead, so that I could enjoy one last evening along the trail, yet
have only a short hike out the next morning before reaching the car.
The weather had other ideas.
Rain and sleet began coming down, so I quickly put on my rain
poncho. It appeared this weather pattern intended to stay for a while,
so I decided to bail on my "last night on the trail" idea, and just
proceed to the trailhead and begin the drive back to Texas.
As my car began the descent from Tennesse Pass to Leadville, I began
to plan the next adventure. Where shall I go next?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scott McMullen, W5ESE, is a backpacker and QRP enthusiast who lives in
Dripping Springs, Texas. He is a member of the Adventure Radio
Society, the Austin QRP Club, and the Austin Amateur Radio Club.
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