Heading home

So, hiked all day today with no phone service. Finally found someone with a satellite phone and called home to check on my dad. He is back in the hospital and so I am heading home. It's a fantastic trail and I will finish it soon. 

Busting out of Breck...

Sometimes it's really hard to leave a town! Breckenridge is definitely one of those places, but after a great night at Ed and Polly's, two trips to Mary's Mountain Cookies, pizza, beer and numerous diet cokes...it was time.  Ever so slowly. Ed and Polly dropped us back off at the trailhead at about 12:30. Started hiking across the slopes of Copper Mountain and next to the golf course. Clean Socks decided to do a little trekking pole golf :)

After about a mile and a half, we heard music and merriment. As we came out of the woods, we saw some sort of festival going on and so we paid heed to this sign 

And slowed our pace and got sucked in to the Mac and Cheese festival.  Sat in the shade for a bit, drank an icy cold soda and people watched, before heading out. (After a little trail goofiness)

Then we finally began hiking up the mountain in earnest. Saw this cool rock and had to take a photo

We are about a day ahead of schedule and after the tough climb yesterday, we only did about 8 miles today. It was all a slow, gradual climb and much of it was in this beautiful, open Meadow

Tomorrow, we will finish this climb, and then it looks like we may have a few days without any super huge climbs.

Up and over

So, today the plan was to hike up and over from Breck to Copper Mountain. Big elevation gain and big descent as well. NOT an easy day at all. And my friend Polly is staying in Breckenridge for a few weeks this summer, so she gamely decided to join us for the 13 mile trek. Her husband, Ed, dropped us at the trailhead at about 9:30 and we started up. This was no PCT grade hike! There was some really steep climbing but with spectacular views as the payoff.

Looking down at Lake Dillon.  I was not having my best day! Not well hydrated. I know better but let's face it, sometimes beer and Diet Coke just taste better.

Climbed to our highest point on the trail so far. 12,500 feet. 

Polly did great! Got to the top where it was cold and windy, so we didn't linger too long, but had to snap a few photos of course.

Murphy, Clean Socks and I ...happy to be at the top :)

We hiked above the top of the Breckenridge ski runs and down the other side over by the Copper Mountain runs.

More spectacular views on the Copper side of the trail 

Got to copper late afternoon and Ed picked us up . Spent another night in Breckenridge. We were all pretty wiped out, so ordered a bunch of pizza, salad, even more Mary's Mountain Cookies, and drank a little wine. Another night of bed and pillows! Ah!

Breckenridge

Last night I positioned my tent so the sun would hit it early this morning and warm it up. Worked like a charm! That could have been one of my top five camping spots ever. In the shadow of Mount Guyot, right over the Continental Divide. Also where the Continental Divide Trail and CT begin to overlap.

20 miles to breckenridge, so we decided to go for it and get in a day ahead of schedule. Ran into Sarah and Jake at a stream and they planned to do the same.

Went a little farther and ran in to Clean Socks and he had the same plan. Walked through a lot more amazing scenery today.

Across from the slopes of Breck before dropping down in to town,

Past some gnomes in the woods :)

And then FINALLY... After looking in all the places we thought we might see a moose, one ran right in front of me across the trail!  And he little one was right there too.

Stood and watched them for about 10 minutes before they meandered off. Much more graceful and agile than I imagined.

Got in to Breckenridge late afternoon and we are staying at the Bivvi. A really nice hostel here. Met up with Miles, Sarah, Jake, Clean Socks and Murphy for dinner at the Breckenridge Brewery for beers and big food!

Happy trail

A good day. Got on the trail fairly early, motivated by town food. 

Hiked through some wide open valleys

Saw some moose prints mixed in with all the hiker prints but still no moose.

We had a few climbs, but a fairly quick 6 miles to get to the road for the hitch in to Jefferson from Kenosha Pass. We got there a little before 10. We'd heard it was an easy hitch and we didn't even have to walk to the road. A guy in the trailhead parking lot offered us a ride the 5 miles to Jefferson. I'm not even sure if Jefferson has a population. There were approximately 5 buildings. But two of them serve food, so that was good enough. 

Had a great burger for lunch with hand cut fries.  

We were back on the trail by about 1:30 after recharging our bodies and our phones. 

We planned to 6 more miles to the next stream, figuring we'd be lethargic after a big lunch. Miraculously, we felt energized, so after we came to the stream, we tackled another 7 miles with a 2000 foot climb thrown in.And it was so worth it. Stunning views. 

We hiked up above tree line for the first time on this trail over Georgia Pass. Honestly, some of the most breathtaking scenery ever. (Sorry to get all corny and clichè, but I can't stop myself)

It was pretty warm early in the day, but as we started to climb, it felt like one of those first fall days after a hot summer, when you can just feel a little chill in the air.

Sleeping at about 11,750 feet tonight, so it's probably going to be a little chilly, but it's so awesome. 

Clean socks and Miles are a few miles ahead of us I think, and Jake and Sarah are a few miles back. I think everyone should be in Breckenridge on Friday. 

Beautiful sunset tonight

Have I mentioned how much I like this trail ? :)

It just keeps getting better

First, shout of to my dad who took a little spill today! Thinking about you Daddio!

Today was a really great day. Temperature was not too hot or cold, did some climbing but nothing too brutal.

Came to this 6 mile beautiful Meadow

There was a creek running through and lots of marshy areas PLUS we saw some moose poo, so we were really hoping for a moose sighting. But instead, the only 'wildlife' we saw were these beasts

Came to the end of the meadow

And started down the mountain. Amazing how quickly the view changes.

This was shortly after the meadow. It reminded me so much of Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine, minus the rocks and roots. This trail is so well maintained! This  would be such an easy trail to do sections of or even just day hikes. There are so many trail heads that we cross. 

This is the view from our lunch spot today

(Sorry for all the scenery pics , but today was exceptional)

Walked through lots of aspens today

We got in good miles and are camping with our same group from the last few nights. Sarah, Jake, Miles and the guy from Arizona, who has now earned the trail name Socks. (Long story about his love of clean socks)

Tomorrow we are going to do a shorter day, because we are going in to the tiny town of Jefferson, for some REAL FOOD at lunch. Then hike back out for a few more miles. 

Lovin' it!

I love Colorado anyway and this trail has been beautiful, challenging, and FUN. 

We did a bunch of climbing today. Not nearly as hot as yesterday, but still took a good break at lunch. 

My view as I stretched out at lunch.

The climb took its toll on this big guy. Tank.

We were resting by a stream. He came up, lay down in the stream, stood up, walked over, shook off right in front of us (as dogs love to do) and plopped down for a nap. 

The trail was really green today and we walked through lots of huge aspen trees with their fluttering  leaves.

At the end of the day, we passed a great stream so we rinsed off, soaked our feet (for about 10 seconds because the water was cold!) and did 'laundry' (rinsed the salty sweat from our clothes) Then we went just a little farther to this wide open flat spot. It's a great spot and there are several others here. Tank, and his girl, Classy, who also hiked the AT in 2014, the young couple from Ohio, and another guy from Arizona. We all sat around and talked and ate. It's really nice to have some others around and also to have it be warm enough to sit outside! We are up at about 9400 feet tonight, so it's a little cooler than the last few nights. Perfect camping weather!

Day 2

When I was growing up, we often spent time in Creede, CO for summer vacation. And we stayed at the same little dude ranch every year. I LOVED it. I would get up early every morning and sit out on the porch of our cabin to watch Ellis Clampet, the resident cowboy (who I idolized and adored) go round up the horses from across the river. There is a certain smell about the mountains in Colorado in the morning and this morning I awoke to that smell. Happy :)

Today was beautiful but tough. We had a long stretch with no water, which meant carrying a lot. And the temps were in the 90's, so we were especially careful to carry enough, because we were sweating it out quickly. I think I must have had at least 5 or 6 liters of water, but I still feel a little behind, so I'm making sure to drink a bunch tonight.

We did come across these little nuggets

Which means there are moose around here! Hope we get to see one.

For the first time in all my time hiking, we took a long lunch break. Usually we eat and head out, but with the heat today, we ate and then stretched out in the shade for about 45 minutes and rested and drank water. Good thing, because after lunch, we came to about a four mile burnt section with absolutely no shade. It was pretty brutally hot!

At the end of this, we came to our next water source, which was actually a spigot on the side of the fire station.

The shady side of the fire station fortunately. We sat there and guzzled water with several other hikers . The Colorado Trail is for hiking, mountain biking and horses. We've seen a ton of mountain bikes and while we were resting in the shade, along came a gal with her two horses. One for her and the other carried her gear. They were so thirsty! They were fighting Over the water. I know the feeling!

After that pit stop, the trail re-entered a more wooded area and it was beautiful.

We hiked amongst a bunch of Aspen trees. I love the gentle sound the leaves make when they are fluttering in the wind.

Tonight, we are camped by a little stream with a few others. A young college couple from Ohio and an older (meaning my age :) couple from Loveland, CO. It was really pleasant out so we all sat outside and ate and chatted . Such a great evening! 

Coincidentally, Loveland is right by Fort Collins and they made some suggestions on some hiking/trail volunteer groups I may want to check in to and also we made plans to get together for a beer when I get moved. Yay!