Left Cottonwood Pass with low clouds and cold. Descended to Texas Creek which was raging. Many trees down in this area. Then began big climb up to Lake Ann Pass, which my son dreaded based on worrying reports from other through hikers. However, he made it over with no issue. North side of the pass was a massive snow field, so we picked our path. Had a nice camp site at the lake.

After 1st set of storms dissipated, we had blue skies and decided to continue. However, just as we scrambled up the major snow field on the saddle, the skies became black within minutes. We ran down the other side of the mountain as fast as possible to a stand of trees just below treeline. We hunkered down and waited it out. Lightning strikes were just a few miles away. We were soaked and used our tent as a blanket to keep warm. Finally, the storm subsided and we hiked on to Cottonwood Pass. Scariest day of the whole CW hike.

Got up early to head up above tree line before the weather. Trey from St Louis was too concerned about weather to continue, so we said goodbye. T-storms hit in the early afternoon, and we pitched tents.

After t-storm cleared out, we began seeing trail runners pass. They were racing in the High Lonesome 100. We packed up and headed down to the N Fork of Chalk Creek. Met up again with Trey who had taken off before the t-storm to get down below tree line.

Over saddle and down past Hancock Lakes to ghost town of Hancock. Then up and up over old railway bed. Storms hit just after noon and we put up tent as fast as possible at 11,800 ft. Huge lightning and thunder near tree line - quite scary.

Beautiful start from Monarch with low lying clouds. Dicey climb down snow cornice above Hunt Lake. Met Trey from St Louis at Middle Fork of the S. Arkansas. Began climb up to Chalk Creek Pass above Hancock Lakes. Found an avalanche debris field over trail as big rainstorm hit. We were all soaked to the bone and pitched tents in a stand of trees late afternoon. It rained all afternoon and night, so we stayed put.

Started late in day after CTF recon work for Illinois Creek crew. "Monsoon season" weather hit Colorado, so we didn't get too far after being dropped off on Monarch Pass - just to Old Monarch Pass.