Start: Silverthorne Alternate: 23.5
Stop: Silverthorne Alternate: 34.4
Today’s Miles: 10.9
Total CDT miles: 987.2
Today was a long one! But the gorgeous views made up for my lack of motivation. I was up at 4:30, changing, folding laundry and washing the last of the dishes so everything will be clean when I come home at the end of this thing. I made my bed, double checked everything, and Pebbles and I were out the door at 5am with mom rolling down the street to us.
We were through security and in the Delta Lounge by 5:45, breakfast in hand. Not too bad! I already miss everyone at home, especially family. I really did not want to have to come finish this thing, which is so not like me at all. Oh well, gotta find a way to change my perspective because I’m finishing this hike, dammit.
Anyway, we boarded our flight by 6:45, and eating second breakfast sometime after take off. First class definitely has its perks! I watched a movie and nodded off some.. not the best nap in the world, but beggars can’t be choosers. We landed in Denver at 8:30am, made our way to their rail/train and took it to Union Station. From there, we took a 2.5 hour bus ride to Frisco, and then a 25 minute bus ride to Silverthorne.
We walked to the Wendy’s and our trail angel, Switch, had a friend bring us our packs since he was at work. Belongings in tow, I got a meal from Wendy’s and sat to eat it before rearranging all my stuff. I realized my Gatorade bottle was missing, probably toppled out and into one of the trail angel’s cars, so after I repacked, I got a new Gatorade from the 7eleven next door. Then, we were off.
A mile or 2 were roads, before going off at a trailhead. It was roughly 7 miles of uphill hiking to get to the pass. When I tell you altitude changes are real-holy crap. After being in atlanta for 4 days, hiking up close to 12 thousand feet is a lung buster! Plus, I was in my new shoes! What better way to break those babies in than to completely suffer!? Ha. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, shoes wise, it definitely won’t be better elevation wise.
Anyway. The trail was phenomenal. Aspen forests opened up to alpine meadows with patches of snow, all avoidable.. my favorite kind! The trail itself was nonexistent at times, but it was easy enough to figure out where to go. The mountains surrounding the one I was on were all jagged and snow capped, rocky and absolutely gorgeous. It’s a good thing. Because those views were the only thing that kept me going.
After the pass, it was a little over 3 miles downhill to get to a large stream, and we’re camping just on the other side of it. I took my shoes off to cross because there was no way to get around wet feet. It’s just too big and deep. That water was COLD! Thankfully, after crossing and waddling 0.2 in my crocs, Pebbles yelled for me. He was already completely set up! Speedy, I know no one is shocked about that! Does anything affect him? I should have done these hikes when I was younger-maybe wouldn’t suffering as much?
I set to work setting up my camp, and then ate my dinner. We’re cowboying and it’s getting chilly now that the sun is dipping. I think we may have some snow to contend with tomorrow, and we’ll be above 12 thousand feet for awhile, too. I pray I get my crap together. I’m so ready for Wyoming and the elevation drop!
Alright, time to warm up my hands! Goodnight yall!