We drove all the way from Los Alamos, NM and arrived at Molas Pass around 3:30. We promptly set up the car shuttle and starting hiking around 4:15. I belive I had calculated this leg to be 7 miles, but I think it was more like 8 or 9. The map I was using only indicated one little switchback, but it turned out to be about 15. This added a lot of distance and put us at our intended camping spot, halfway up elk-creek, at about 8:30 - kinda late.

We didn't actually park at Molas Lake as the map indicates, but at Molas Pass. It was only after we set up the car shuttle that we saw a sign indicating the Colorado Trail actually starts near Molas Lake. So, parking at Molas lake would be preferrable. We instead started hiking from the pass, and after about 1/3 to 1/2 mile walked right by the parking lot for the CT. Oh Well!

The first bit of hiking is slightly down and pretty mellow. After about 1 mile, the switchbacks start, going all the way down to the Animas river valley. After crossing the Animas on a very well built bridge, follow the RR tracks downriver for about 100-200 yards and then cross them, following CT into Elk Creek. The trail hits the creek after about 1/2 mile. Scattered throughout the trail are decent camping spots, until the trail leaves the creek again. It climbs up many more switchbacks that my map would have me believe and there are few options for camping. After several switchbacks, the trail levels out, and passes by some possible small camps spots. A few hundred yards before the beaver pond there are a some sizable camping spots. Of course, the beaver pond is the ideal location for water availability and views - WOW.

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It's a short car shuttle (took us about 45 min) from Molas Pass to the end of the Cunningham Creek Road. We easily followed signs and maps to the dirt road that goes up the Cunningham Creek drainage. The road is in great condition and present to problem to low clearance vehicles. We parked two cars at a parking lot several miles up the raod just after the road crosses the creek over a large culvert. Clay had his low clearance Celica, so when the road steepened significantly after this parking lot, we figured it was the best place to park. The parking lot also seemed placed correctly with what looked like was the end of the raod according to the Colorado Gazateer map. On the last day, we realized that we probably could have driven about a mile farther up the road to the trailhead parking area at the wilderness boundary. The only challenge, is a river crossing about 200 yards before the trailhead. Clay's Celica may not have liked that, but I think Anders' car and My car (both Subaru Foresters) could have made the crossing. The river bed looked flat, and the water depth was probably about 10".

As mentioned previously, we actually started hiking from Molas Pass. Starting at Molas Lake would be preferrable. But, we didn't mind the nice warm up. At about 4:15, we started under a beautiful blue sky, and everyone in great spirits, all looking forward for the wilderness treats were about to experience.

We camped rather near the water, accross one of the streams from the trail because many of the other good camping places were taken. In the morning, we were advised by a couple rangers that we were too close to the water, and that in the Wilderness, we need to camp at least 100 feet from any water. Whoops!