Gold Dust Trail

This is a trail that goes from the trailhead on the eastern edge of the large plateau that sits above Glenwood and Alma, up over the ridge, winds around the northern edge of the Whitewater drainage, and then drops down to Whitewater Creek above where the Catwalk ends. This one got started a little late in the day because it had been really windy and really chilly, not a good combination for warm-blooded creatures. But on in the afternoon, the trailer had stopped dancing around, and I thought (in error as it turns out), hey! I can get in a late-afternoon hike. So off we went up to the trailhead on the eastern edge of the large plateau that sits about Glenwood and Alma. Turns out I was wrong about the wind, it was still alive and well and vicious. I was not dressed for that and was, as a result, quite chilly. Fortunately, after I got over the first ridge, the wind disappeared, and I had a quite pleasant hike on one of the most picturesque trails I have been on yet. Remembering that I began this jaunt about 3:30, so I only went about 1.6 miles down the trail before turning around and heading back. It is a total of about 2 miles to Whitewater Creek. This is one that I eventually want to do with goats, equipment and an overnight camp. Since it was 19 degrees this morning, I'm just as glad it was only a dayhike.

Heading up the trail towards the ridge, with the aforementioned plateau behind.	Top of the ridge, with the Whitewater drainage barely visible from this point
Looking down the Whitewater drainage, the Catwalk is just below in the drainage	Whitewater drainage more visible from this point
The geology of this area is profoundly interesting. All you get to seen of Maxie in this one is his ears. :-)	Not exceptionally visible in this picture, but hills across the drainage are quite layered
Due to the recent rains, water is much more in evidence	Local trail 'signage'