7/25 121.2 teacher conference in breckenridge and I got to chat with some educators, including a principle that spoke fluent buzzword. Steep 3000 ft. climb up and over Tenmile ridge to start the day’s hiking. I started taking more breaks to catch my breath at above 12,000 ft. elevation. Visibility a bit smokey, but still incredible views from the ridge. Saw an aid station for ‘Summit 200’ at the bottom, an ultramarathon-pace trail running race in the mountains around breckenridge. The trail soon afterwards crossed across the Copper Mountain ski slopes and under their rollercoaster. Stopped in for lunch with a few other hikers, and the waitress had no Idea the trail came so close. Pushed out for a last few miles, and found a great campsite near Guller Creek. Met a Japanese hiker with only basic english thru-hiking.
7/26 141.7 climbed copper mountain, and saw a bunch of marmots and pika. Saw a bunch of other thru hikers today. Camped at the trailhead
7/27 165.2 a lot of day hikers today. Special shoutout to the group using pack-alpacas! Took a dip in Busk Creek near turquise lake. Refreshing on a sunny day. Camped near the trail up mt. Massive.
7/28 175 (+7) Decided to climb Mt. Elbert, based on the nice weather. Took a long-cut up the north trail, and down the south trail. Many day hikers, and it seemed like they all summited at the same time as me. Got in the mood to hike some extra miles. I decided to shuttle to monarch pass, hike north on the west side of the collegiate loop, and then south again on the east side. Stayed in a hostel all by myself.
7/29 (+16.9) Shuttled to the Monarch pass trailhead. Hiked over another ski hill, then found a very windy ridge walk on bald mountain. On the divide. Went over a pass to camp near lake hancock @ 11662 ft. Then I got to meet some ATV riders that had just driven up.
7/30 (+27.1) Amazing weather and amazing views. Camped just past Cottonwood Pass. Spent most of the day above 12000 ft. Met a dog wearing sunglasses. 10 mile water cary.
7/31 (+24) Two young moose on trail right after I started. Looped around them. Saw a strange worm, deer, and another moose. Also ran into hikers I had passed before, as they were going south after a zero. Ended up doubling back after starting the new trail out of Texas creek, and taking the older route. Camped just south of Hope pass.
8/1 180 (+6) near-o back to twin lakes. Met a bunch of other hikers in town and swam in a lake. Back on official CT mileage now, heading south again.
Rollercoaster at Copper Mtn. that goes over the trail.
