A change in plans

It has been a while since my last post because I have been uncertain how to announce that I have changed my CDT plans.

After two months and ~950 miles, I returned home a couple weeks ago after realizing that a true, five month continuous thru-hike was not the right thing for me to be doing to be happy, as I badly missed friends, family, and favorite non-hiking activities.  I left the trail from Salida by hitching to Colorado Springs and flying back to Seattle.  I arrived in time to see my brother and his family who were in town for a few days, go on a trip with friends to Oregon, and participate in the Fremont Solstice Parade.  I am also helping with the sea kayaking and hiking treks and carpentry projects at the camp I used to work at.

My CDT journey is not over, however.  I plan to return to hike several hundred more miles in Montana (Glacier NP, Bob Marshall Wilderness) and Wyoming (Yellowstone NP, the Wind River Range) in late July and August.  For those who have not done so already, please follow the blog by entering your email to receive updates when I get back on the trail.

Lake City to Salida

I arrived in Salida first thing Friday morning from Monarch Pass.  I will head back to the trail today and should reach Leadville on Wednesday.

On Tuesday I climbed my first Colorado fourteener, San Luis Peak (14,014').  There was hardly any snow left on the trail and I was able to make great time, including my first 30 mile day on the CDT.  Apart from trees blown down across the trail in the next section, I expect few delays and should be able to keep my mileage in the mid to high 20s from here forward.

The last patches of snow.

Top of San Luis Peak.  It was quite windy.

This terrain made 30 miles fairly easy.

Hikingin east in the cool of the morning.



Old grazing land.



Back in aspen.

Wildflowers scattered amongst the rock.

Following the ridge south of Monarch Pass.

Lake City

Lake City is a wonderful town of ~400 year-round residents.  I arrived on Friday and am staying at the Raven's Rest Hostel, owned by a thru-hiker I know from the PCT, Lucky (his trail name, and yes, he's Irish) and his wife.

Of course, like everyone wants to do after getting off the trail, the first thing I did that afternoon after a shower was help him lay 1,300 square feet of sod.  It was quite satisfying, as such projects are something I miss while on the trail.  I also spent part of my weekend attempting to fix an adult-sized tricycle, but after getting the internal 3-speed hub back in order, I discovered another problem that will have to wait for another mechanic.

I arrived just in time to participate in a 5/10k fun run on Saturday morning.  As it was supposed to be a rest day, I opted for the 5k.  I was satisfied by my time of 23:59.  Lucky's wife won the women's division, breaking 22 minutes.

After two great days off, I will head back to the trail sometime tomorrow.

I finished 8th overall, out of a couple dozen.

With Lucky and two of his very friendly dogs.

Part of the new lawn.

In the workshop.

Pagosa Springs to Lake City

The hike to Lake City via Spring Creek Pass went faster than expected.  I arrived in Lake City on Friday afternoon with another hiker I had been with since Pagosa Springs.  He left Lake City earlier than I, so I will be solo going forward.  I should be in Salida by the end of the week.

Trail conditions improved over the stretch from Chama, as the snow is melting quickly (but refreezing overnight, reducing time wasted post-holing) and the trail followed more open terrain.  There was still plenty of snow, elevation change (we ranged from 10,000' to 13,000'), and downed trees, making for long days. 

The CDT joined the Colorado Trail partway through the section.  The difference in trail maintenance was stark: less trail rutting, almost no overgrown brush, and water bars that prevented the trail from becoming a creek.

We camped above treeline a couple times, requiring me to strap bunches of twigs to my pack to cook dinner.  This made for an interesting look.

I rarely carry produce while hiking, so I was delighted when a couple ATVers I came across gave me large chunks of pineapple when I was five days along.

When Clement and I were hiking into Ghost Ranch, we visited with a couple we met along the dirt road walk.  The woman is a painter and took our picture to paint later.  The result can be seen here.

Snowy descent

The snow refroze at night, making for relatively easy walking.

We usually looked ahead at the relatively snow-free southern slopes, only to be greeted by snow on the northern exposures.

Sunny, but cold, morning.

Walking a snow-free ridge.

Coming out of a low valley.

Snack break.

Snowy traverse.

Elk running away.

Dramatic topography in the middle of this section.

Snowmelt flowing down the trail.

The last couple days were fairly clear, going over high, rolling hills.

View from the dinner table.