Day 15, August 30 Vail

Leaving Golden, it was a long, slow climb . We started at 6500 ft, and climbed to 10,000 ft in 1 hour. Entered the Eisenhower Tunnel, which is 1 1/2 miles long and crosses the Continental Divide. 3 minutes later, we exited the tunnel at 12,000 ft., followed by a steep downgrade for 6 miles.
Back up the mountain, across Vail Pass Summit, elevation 10,662ft.,
followed by a 7% downgrade for 8 miles.

Arrived at Vail & had a challenge to find parking. Finally parked at Ford Park. Walked around the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens then on to Vail, a beautiful Bavarian-style buildings.

After leaving Vail, there was more climbing, to Tennessee Pass at 10,424ft., crossing the Continental Divide, the down to Leadville, which is the highest incorporated city in the country at 10,152ft.

Checked in to the Sugar Loafin' campground, which had NO internet, NO TV reception and NO radio stations! Early night tonight!