Lakes, creeks, rivers, ponds, streams. Just about anything wet that isn’t the sea.
Chalk Creek Cascade — This is just the start. The cascade runs for a tad under half a mile and drops over 250 ft. The Cascade campground is just around the corner on the left. The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad Trail. Day 7 – Road Trip October 2025.
Chalk Lake — from the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad Trail. Day 7 – Road Trip October 2025.
Chalk Creek — There’s no water available at the campground, so I got mine from Chalk Creek. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025. 1
Looking up Cascade Creek towards Agnes Vaille Falls — Chalk Creek, Chalk Creek Canyon. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025.
The falls were named by a local resident and friend of mountaineer Agnes Vaille. Vaille died in January 1925 during a winter ascent of Longs Peak, located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Cascade Creek Trail was steep in places, and I had to pause and catch my breath a couple of times. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025.
Looking down the cascade — Chalk Creek, Chalk Creek Canyon. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025.
Cascade on Chalk Creek, San Isabel National Forest. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025.
Ruedi Reservoir. White River National Forest, Basalt, Colorado. Day 5 – Road Trip October 2025. 2
Checking out the view — Stopped at an overlook of Ruedi Reservoir. Day 5 – Road Trip October 2025.
Pond and Mountains — I stopped briefly at the top of Independence Pass to stretch my legs and get a better look at the mountains. Day 3 – Road Trip October 2025.
Table Rock Lake was the highest I’ve seen it — At 928.5 ft. It was 18 ft higher than when I was last here in September 2024.
View from my hammock. Piney Creek Wilderness, June 2025. 2
Piney Creek Wilderness, Table Rock Lake. Looking west towards Buck Hollow and Piney Creek. I took a short hike further east along the lakeshore to find a spot where I could see out across the lake.
Concrete Spring box in ‘Twin Falls Hollow’. 1
Bathing Pool in ‘Deep Hollow’. Hercules Glades Wilderness, May 2025.
Whites Creek had been running hard a couple of days earlier — The trail was buried in debris and had been submerged under many feet of water. 2
Whites Creek on the Whites Creek Trail South Loop — Looking upstream
Whites Creek on the Whites Creek Trail South Loop — The trail at the bottom of the descent down to Whites Creek had been washed out, and parts of the trail were knee-deep in water. Nothing unexpected after all the rain we have had.
Little Brazil Creek is very ‘scrubby’ — Looking north. I’m filling up with water for tonight and tomorrow. I’ve yet to find a good camping spot near this creek. I hiked over ten miles today to get here.
Little Paddy Creek crossing on the North/South Loop Shortcut — This is the crossing on the shortcut between the North and South Loops. You used to be able to cross straight over here, but now it is too deep for my short legs.
The second Big Paddy Creek crossing — After crossing the creek, the sign directs you to go right. No, not anymore. Follow the trail to your left. 1
Frozen stock pond.
Looking out across ‘Spring Hollow.’
‘Spring Hollow’ — I decided to camp above the big rock formation on the right. 2