Mike in the Wild

With enough time in Durango for only one short, late-afternoon hike, I decided on the Colorado Trail.  Of course I realized I wouldn't be hiking the entire 567 miles to Denver.  I wouldn't even be completing a segment, of which there are thirty-three.  In fact, I would only be traversing a short distance along Segment 28, the very last stretch of the Colorado Trail when you start in Denver.  The segment extends 21.5 miles from Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead, my starting point.   I originally hoped to reach Gudy's Rest, a stop along the trail that offers a panoramic view of Durango and the surrounding San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains.  However the four-and-a-half miles was a little longer than I had the time or energy for, so I turned around after three miles, at the bridge that crosses Junction Creek in an idyllic and restful setting.  In fact, that's the way I would describe most of the hike's peaceful landscape.   ...