CDT SOBO | Days 96-102| Salida to Lake City | Leaving Monarch Pass, a brisk wind continues and the chill of winter is nipping at my toes. First, a traverse of a high ridgeline shared with a plethora of bike packers. The next couple of days are easy enough; walking via a series of nicely graded trail & dirt roads through forest and some sagebrush covered grazing land. The mornings & evenings are bitterly cold, and my face is constantly draining & my nose is chapped as a result. And in the very near forecast, an extreme drop in temperatures, plus a taste of what's to come in the San Juan Range. On the trek across the flat topped Snow Mesa, my physical health seems to be taking a surprising turn for the worse. Symptoms come on suddenly, and I'm trying to keep my shit together. There's a quick descent to the low traveled highway at Spring Creek Pass, and an agonizing wait for a hitch into town. We've successfully raced the cold front creeping in, which is bringing temperatures in the single digits & possibly snow. At dark, I've finally made it to Lake City thanks to a local who took pity on a couple of cold hikers. The next day I pay a visit to the medical clinic & receive a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis. Looks like I'll be taking it easy the next couple of days in town; not such a bad thing considering the weather. A light dusting of snow is coming down on Lake City, and I'm happy to be toasty-warm in the cabin rental. More friends arrive in town, and I'm feeling much better. #hikertrash #dirtbagdarling #embracethebrutality #continentaldividetrail #colorado
CDT SOBO | Days 93-95| | Twin Lakes to Salida | The Collegiate Peaks Leaving Twin Lakes, we opt for the Ley Route across a marsh beside the lake. Then there's the tedious climb through forest up to Hope Pass, which is basically a wind tunnel once above treeline. On the other side of the pass, winding trail through more glorious golden aspens. It's warm & bright down in this canyon, but clear skies mean a frigid night to come. The wind stays steady the next couple of days, as we traverse the CDT through the Collegiate Peaks, hovering consistently somewhere between 10,000 & 12,000+ feet. One night, I walk into the dark after Cottonwood Pass & not being able to find a suitable campsite in this rocky terrain. We arrive at Monarch Pass in the morning, fully wind chapped & craving a hot cup of coffee down in town. A nice couple in a camper van gives us a lift into Salida, where the business of the city feels like an assault on all my senses. It's time to rest up a bit, and enjoy a healthy NERO full of good food, beer, and a fresh pair of shoes to see me through the rest of Colorado (and the San Juans!). #dirtbagdarling #hikertrash #ultralightbacking #continentaldividetrail #embracethebrutality
CDT SOBO | Day 88-92| | Dillon to Twin Lakes | High passes that dip down into magical forests; the aspens are poppin' right now! The wind continues to blow, so I'm grateful to be walking through forest, in the protection of the trees. After leaving Dillon, I get waylaid at Copper Mountain Resort for a couple hours thanks to beer (Coors Banquet, cos Colorado). It's the off season, so it's a bit of a ghost town at this little ski resort. Camp comes a few miles up the mountain & past the chair lifts. The next day, a gradual climb up to Kokomo Pass, at above 12,000 feet. Again, more intense wind, and a long descent into Leadville for a quick resupply. The aspen forests from Leadville into Twin Lakes are golden and gorgeous; like walking through a fairy tale. Twin Lakes is a cute little lakeside village, and the shop owner at the grocery store is such a sweetheart. He doesn't mind that hikers linger around, and even gives me a free cup of coffee & a biscuit. I'm really looking forward to the next stretch, through the Collegiate Peaks, even though it's going to be an arse kicker. Cheers to Autumn, and all the high routes just ahead🍁 #dirtbagdarling #hikertrash #ultralightbacking #continentaldividetrail #embracethebrutality
Colorado, I 💛🧡❤ you. #dirtbagdarling #hikertrash #colorado #nofilter #cdt2019
Chasing Fall💙🧡💛 #dirtbagdarling #hikertrash #ultralightbacking #nofilter #cdt2019
CDT SOBO | Day 85-87| | Grays Peak Trailhead to Dillon | ✔Grays Peak: 14,255 Feet, Highest Point of the CDT The car doors in the parking lot, near where I camped, started slamming around 5am. I didn't mind, though, I was already awake & ready to bag some peaks. This is a popular trail, with easy switchbacks for the 3.8 miles up to the summit. It's a bit of a blustery day, with gusts pushing 40 mph. After a quick break to gawk at a mountain goat kid, the push is on to get over Edward's Peak. This summit is much more cumbersome, with no trail and a rocky scramble via a knife's edge. The gusts are really jerking me around, and progress is painfully slow. From there, it's a ridge walk down to a dirt road. After battling the intense wind & having the will to hike completely sucked out of me, it's time to haul ass into Dillon. I need creature comforts. Now. If a trip into town is good for anything, it's resetting the brain & burying your self doubt under an obscene amount of food. #dirtbagdarling #hikertrash #ultralightbacking #continentaldividetrail #embracethebrutality