Week 1 (pics part 1)
7/19 16.5 started with 8-9 others. Awkward road walk up to what felt like the real start of the trail. I’ve already hiked the first 50 miles as day hikes, so it was hard to imagine I was starting a much longer route this time.
7/20 35.6 falling debris sign? And they told me to worry about bears. A lot of bikers. COtracks app? Camped with a 4 person group from PA. Stopped at a fire station offering free water to hikers and it seemed like everyone was stopping there.
7/21 40 near-o into Bailey, CO I got a hitch right away from a former AT hiker. gas station resupply, and several helpful people in town. Heard about a nearby plane crash from a cashier at an ace hardware store. Decided to spend the night here instead of hiking out into a stormy day. Good decision; the hostel was super hiker friendly and right next to a famous hotdog stand. Met some new hikers there too.
7/22 63.4 Got a ride back to trail, and had a 2000ft climb before a 6 mile flat walk up a valley. No bikes (or bikepackers) allowed on most of today’s sections as I passed through the lost creek wilderness. the trail was a bit more rocky and had fewer switchbacks, but took a more direct path. Maybe its just this section, but I’m seeing a lot more rain than I expected. I might try taking a nap from 3-5 to avoid it.
7/23 87.1 I almost left at 4am, but managed to get another hour of sleep. Train tracks and trail magic at kenosha pass! It was also the forst day without any rain, so I was able to go over a 11875 ft. pass in the afternoon. I finally made it to the continental divide, and the CDT.
7/24 102 (Breckenridge) Who needs a ski-lift to climb a ridge when you have hiker legs? (Reaction to ski lifts around Breck). Low visibility and high ozone levels. Smoke blowing in from pacific NW fires. Section maintained by a mountain biking crew and it shows.
Took 2 free buses into town! So many tourists, but at least it makes good people watching. Had to wait a few hours in town for the hostel to open, so I got to check out a free museum.
Don't know how to rotate images from the app, sorry.
