Can you spot where you're supposed to go?
There it is! The secret gate of mile 0.0.
Interesting cabin ruins near the trail at mile 11.
This segment begins with an odd walk down a heavily-used paved road, to a gate which can be somewhat difficult to locate, particularly if the highway department has deposited an enormous pile of gravel immediately in front of it. Once through that gate, however, the way becomes a singletrack trail once more, following creeks through rolling ranching territory for a while, then heading up into dry pine and scrub. It's actually a rather pretty walk -- and an easy one, for a change.
There were strange and interesting mushrooms along the way, too -- tasty shaggy manes, weird ink caps -- growing and thriving in the dryer environment. There are, however, not many people. Despite what the guidebook says, I found this to be one of the least traveled sections of the trail. It may be one of the least maintained, at any rate -- you'll likely have to deal with fallen trees along some parts of the trail.
Which makes it all the stranger that aliens are not permitted on this portion of the CT. Really. Check the forest service signs, as you come to them -- most list the normal restrictions, like no motorcycles, no hang gliders, and so on... but many also list no grays. Other types of alien might be alright; I'm not sure. Seems somehow miserly, to have someone come all that way across the galaxy and then not permit them to do a little hiking.
No aliens permitted on the CT.
Not a fence for a quarter mile in any direction, but the gate still stands incongruously among the flowers.
Expansive views on the dirt road near Archuleta creek.
Perfect blue sky -- and lots of sun, to dry out your sodden gear!
Suggested updates to your guidebook:
0.0
Above is a picture of the wide parking area -- the gate and sign were hidden behind a giant pile of gravel when I passed. Thanks bunches, highway-builder-dudes. Still, this is the first and most distinctive parking area you'll pass, so just walk along the fence and look for the gate.
0.1
Lujan creek was running merrily at this point, too. (Don't worry if Lujan disappears from time to time between here and the last point you crossed it.)
1.7
Follow Pine creek for a while -- the water here was good throughout 2010, -- then cross it. That crossing is the last water you'll see for at least 5.5 miles.
3.8, 6.4, 6.6
Gates
6.7
This water is 3 miles east -- a long side trip, given that the water just 3 miles ahead is pretty reliable.
6.8
The road curves in a long switchback. One could, if sufficiently motivated, cut a half mile off their walk by heading straight downhill, between the sagebrush, to the turnoff.
7.2
Also running fine in 2010. There are deep pools near the end of the fenced wetland section, and just where the road crosses the stream bed.
9-10
The guidebook makes this section sound very complicated. It isn't -- the trail just reroutes around a marshy section. Keep your eyes open for posts, blazes, and triangle markers... but it's hard to get lost.
9.6
Plenty of water here, as well, where the road dips down and crosses a small tributary stream.
10.3
Awesome viewpoint where you can look down into Cochetopa park
10.5
Follow along a fence. Stay on the downhill road, don't go through any of the gates to your right.
11.0
Nifty cabin ruins, to your left. The trees here are the last shade for a good three miles or so.
11.9
Once passing through this gate (there's a walk-over, too. Nice!) keep an eye open for trail signs -- the road splits in places, but the way is well-marked.
The elevation profile for this segment is roughly correct.
----> Onward, to segment 19!
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