August 7, 2024 32.3 miles, 4426′ gain/5771′ loss I started hiking by 6:15am. It was a hot and boring day, full of endless cows, dirt roads, and long water carries. I met River earlier in the day, and we hiked together for a few miles before she stopped to hitch into Gunnison. I was chased … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 11
August 6, 2024 31.5 miles, 4934′ gain/4957′ loss The restaurant owner Panni gave me a ride back to trail at 7am after my zero day and I was hiking by 7:45am. I encountered 5 mountain bikers and 3 dirt bikers over the day, plus I passed 2 SOBO hikers and saw 2 NOBO hikers as … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 10
August 4, 2024 19.9 miles, 4170′ gain/4160′ loss I was up at 5:45am and out by 6:05am with a spring in my step since I’d be arriving in town today, with a zero day tomorrow. I climbed two mountain passes (Chalk Creek Pass, Hunt Lake/Bald Mtn) and the 2nd one was super steep – 35%+, … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 9
August 3, 2024 29.3 miles, 7228′ gain/6047′ loss Up at 5:45-6am, hiking by headlamp by 6:30am. The trail was a bit hard to follow in the valley by Waterloo Gulch, and it looked like Texas Creek had flooded and brought a lot of detritus onto the trail. I managed to keep dry feet crossing the … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 8
August 2, 2024 On trail: 23.7 miles, 6598′ gain/5873′ loss; Cutoff: 2.0 miles, 215′ gain/100′ loss. I slept in until 6am. My gear was a bit wet from the morning dew, so I dried out my sleeping bag and tent as I waited for things to open. I chatted with Kay (the other CT thruhiker … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 7
August 1, 2024 29.9 miles, 5860′ gain/6211′ loss (+2.0 miles, 70′ gain/905′ loss for Twin Lakes cutoff) I headed out from camp around 6:15am. The morning miles through Holy Cross Wilderness were rough. There was a lot of climbing, with much of it very steep (30%+) and above 11,000′. I was low-key dying, with a … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 6
July 31, 2024 26.3 miles, 4580′ gain/3983′ loss I slept in today, drowsing until 8am. I couldn’t keep myself still, so I was out waiting for the bus by 9:05am after a 3rd shower. I was hiking by 9:30am. Today’s long climb out of Copper Mountain past downhill MTB trails was totally worth it for … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 5
July 30, 2024 To town: 3.3 miles, 308′ gain/656′ loss; Slackpack: 15.5 miles, 3356′ gain/3970′ loss I was up at 4:45am. It was a bit chilly until I warmed up. I was moving by a bit after 5am, passed the CT 100-mile mark, and got to the bus stop around 6:10am. I half heartedly tried … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 4
July 29, 2024 34.4 mile 5873′ gain/5902′ loss I was awake at 5:15am and on trail by 5:50am. My body felt stronger today, and the altitude felt a bit easier. Watching the sun rise over the distant mountains was beautiful, and it was that much better because I was able to talk on the phone … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 3
July 28, 2024 30.5 miles 5472′ gain/3455′ loss I was up at 5:30am, and hiking by 6:05am. I was super tired and dizzy today, with an elevated heart rate when exerting myself on the uphill. And I had a lot of trouble on uphill travel once I hit ~9500′. My legs felt heavy and I … Continue reading Colorado Trail Day 2
Transcending Mountains 