The Ute Trail is a long trail used long ago by the Ute and Arapaho Indians, and later by prospectors to cross the Continental Divide.  The portion of the Ute Trail that I hiked begins at Trail Ridge Road between Forest Canyon Overlook and Rainbow Curve.  I hiked out along Tombstone Ridge to the point where it descends steeply into Windy Gulch.

Be sure to click on these thumbnail photos for larger versions.

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1. This is the view near the start of the hike looking toward Hayden Gorge.

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2. The trail, leading off into the distance.

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3. Wolly Actinella.

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4.

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5. Many Wolly Actinella along the trail.

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6. There were a lot of butterflies too, although rarely would they sit still long enough to photograph.

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7.

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8. Purple Fringe and Wolly Actinella.

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9. Purple Fringe.

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10. This shot looks into the area around Odessa Lake, one of my other hikes.  Odessa Lake, Fern Lake, Notchtop Mountain and Spruce Lake are all visible in this Photo.

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11. Tombstone Ridge.

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12. Longs Peak in the distance.

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13. Six shot panorama.  Super Size It!  (475kB).

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14. Blue Columbine.

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15. Heading back to the trailhead now.

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16. Butterfly on Wolly Actinella.

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17. Tombstone Ridge.