Truck Camping on the 520

On a previous day trip, we had driven from Hwy 145, over the mountains to Purgatory, Colorado. During that day trip, we marked a "Favorite" camp spot on the GPS with intent to return a few weeks later and stay for a couple of nights. This campsite has incredible views of a valley and mountain peaks! We also knew that this campsite was right next to the Colorado Trail #520: segment 27. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with the spectacular view we remembered, and a curious deer.
The map below shows our route from Hwy 145 (just about three miles north of Priest Gulch), up Roaring Forks Rd (#435) to the Divide road (#564), and our campsite at the end, 14 miles up. 
 

 Below is "Thundra" (thank you to those who suggested names) parked at the edge of the valley. The Colorado Trail runs right through just 15 feet in front of "Thundra". We encountered nine hikers trekking along the trail. Greg was our first. We shot the breeze for a few minutes and then, gifted him a couple of bottles of water. He was hiking the entire Colorado Trail in 45 days (486 miles)... Go Greg! Late in the evening, a couple of younger lads came up and actually asked us for water. It was pretty cool having our own little makeshift aid-station for the hikers passing through.

This was also our first outing with our new awning. It proved itself useful for keeping our table, stove, and chairs dry. On our second night, it rained.
                                                                                  

A storm moving in on us:




The clouds moved in creating a creepy, abyss-like atmosphere towards evening. 
"Jus a lil spooky and haunting!"



This buck frequented us several times along with a couple of does. I think we parked in their favorite patch of grass.




"Who the heck is parking on my grass!
This doe kept giving us the eye (🎶Twilight Zone theme🎶)  



This (view) is why we came back to spend a couple of days.


This was just a short, close-by trip to take advantage of our time off from the campground; 3 days/2 nights (July 1st-3rd). 
We were back in time for a nice potluck with the staff and, Rico's 4th of July Parade.


                                       





          Rico is a small town with a population of approximately 400 but doubles on the 4th of July for the parade and a great Fireworks show. 
(The tractor trailer is our Priest Gulch family)
(Ricky boy had to detail the truck and trailer for the parade)

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