8/10 356.0 free lunch in town from the Elks. It was raining for a few hours, but no thunder. After the rain, I went across snow mesa, then down to a road. Very tempting to go back to town, but it was only 1 day, and Silverton isn’t far off.
8/11 378.8 With uncertain weather I hiked up from the trailhead I camped near. I had about an hour of rain while below treeline, but no thunder. As I approached the climb above 13000 ft. the skies cleared. Now I could go over the highest elevation ridge on the whole CT! Passed a group of two riding horses and bringing a pack-donkey. Not many other hikers, but I saw 3 moose today.
8/12 405.0 saw some alpacas today. Best view so far just before descent. Split up with the CDT, and went west while it turned south. One day. Got to take shelter from rain inside a cave. Camped near a train station.
8/13 409.7 near-0 into Silverton. Met bikers driving from West Virginia at my hostel.
8/14 430.2 left town at 10, and got another easy hitch. Lots of day hikers on trail today. Weather improved, and no rain today! Camped near a lake with some other thru hikers.
8/15 460.5 Pulled another long day. A lot of ridgewalk. The trail finally made its turn southward, towards Durango. Chatted with a bikepacker, who previously thru-hiked the CT. Last peak above 12k ft. Camped near a big alpine lake with a bunch of other CT hikers I hadn’t met yet. Windy night.
8/16 483 Done! Long downhill back to a more normal elevation. Finished at 3:30pm, ahead of some other hikers. There were also bike race finishers that biked the whole trail in several days. Took a dip in Junction Creek a little bit before the end to cool down. Strange there wasn't a marker or sign at the trailhead.
Thank you Creede Elks for a free lunch
