I was cold last night and slept restlessly. To make matters worse, the tent was on a slope and I kept sliding down off my sleeping pad. Tonight I'm better off around 2,000 ft lower at 10,000 ft elevation in a vallye and on relatively non-sloping ground.

Once it warmed up it allowed me to sleep in so it was a late start but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was further down the trail than I thought last night. Soon I reconnected with and later took a break on the Ridge Stock Driveway, #233, which is also used to access Wetterhorn. I got some good pictures of the mountain as I rounded it on my way to Uncompahgre Peak. Both are over 14,000 ft high and I climbed them several years ago so no side trips for me today.

After Uncompahgre I opted to descend the Big Blue Trail instead of remaining on the driveway. There was rain and lightning to worry about thus the valley looked like a good idea. It proved to be the correct choice. I've had to ford Blue Creek three times by wading across though. My feet could use the washing but it sure is a hassle.