Summer of Colorado, Week #6 + #7

On Tuesday I finished my first through hike ever! I've been backpacking for more than 30 years but never had the time to venture out on a through hike on account of being a working schlep for thirty years. BTW, I think a through hike is a bit like an ultra marathon in that there is no set distance but it's commonly acknowledged to be long, grueling and not for everyone! I finished the Colorado Trail (CT) in the northbound direction (Durango to Denver) in 26 days of hiking. I highlight the northbound (or NoBo as we say on the trail) aspect as I was truly a rare breed out there as I only encountered five other NoBo hikers compared to hundreds of SoBo hikers. Most people go SoBo as that's what the CT guide recommends as you start at lower elevations and the first hundred miles are fairly gradual in the southbound direction. On my second to last day on the CT, I met a NoBo couple (Washer and Pocket Snacks) who was also finishing up the CT so we hiked together for the final forty miles which was fun. See photos (with captions!) below.    

As a follow up from my Week #4 post, I learned more through hiking jargon which I thought I'd share: 

  • Slackpacking - this is hiking a section of trail without all of your gear, i.e. just carrying a day pack with some snacks and water 
  • 10x10 - this is hiking 10 miles before 10am 
  • Tramily - this is your trail family

At the top of Mt Elbert, highest point in CO and 2nd highest peak in the lower 48.

View from the top of Mt Elbert. 

A lake along the CT, north of Twin Lakes area. 

Waterfall along the CT, near Breckenridge. Water was mostly abundant on the CT although there were a few dry sections where I had to carry 2-3 liters of water to get through.

View from an unknown pass looking out at a reservoir near Breckenridge.

View of typical Colorado mountains and forests. Colorado does clouds like no place else and reading the clouds is key to knowing what's happening with the weather. 

Soaking wet but super happy to have completed the CT, my first through hike!

Washer, Pocket Snacks and Yardsale (that's me) all really happy to be off the trail and looking forward to eating a regular meal and taking a shower!

While I was finishing the CT, Ginny visited friends and family in Colorado and Utah. She had a blast and did not miss hiking the CT with me at all, or at least not very much. For the next two weeks, we are in Fort Collins (home of CSU - go Rams!) house sitting and dog sitting for some folks. We just got here yesterday but so far it seems like a great little city and we're really looking forward to exploring it! Ginny's also planning to use the oven every single day.

Tasty egg salad sandwich waiting to be scarfed! 

Ginny's feet and heart art on the trail near Twin Lakes.

We spent at least 15 minutes riveted by these vehicles trying to gun their vehicles up a completely rutted out dirt road to find the best campsite in the world - next time you see Ginny, ask her to play some of her video clips of this - it's hilarious!

Looking like I could use a shave and a haircut!

Meet Harvey who is super sweet and loves to lounge on the couch!

Harvey and Simon who we're taking care of for the next two weeks.

Comments

  1. E and PAugust 18, 2022 at 4:53 PM

    My old stomping grounds! we used to hike, bike, and backpack the CT from Watertown on a regular basis. What an adventure! _AV

    ReplyDelete

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