Tag: triple crown

Start: Colorado Trail 150.7

Stop: Leadville (Inn the Clouds Hostel)

Today’s Miles: 26.3

Total CDT miles: 920.7

Our day started with a climb out of the campground, but it had switchbacks and pretty views, so it wasn’t terrible. The terrain feels more dry and desert like-and yet it’s also muggy. Weird stuff. Thankfully there were clouds in the sky blocking the sun, or it would have been much hotter!

We ended up backtracking a little after taking a wrong turn. Otherwise, it was very hilly but smooth going to get to Tina and her husband Larry. They were waiting for us at a trailhead parking lot 9.7 miles from where we camped! We hung out with them, talking and eating hotdogs, potato salad and chips! What is it about trail magic that just makes everything better? The food was delicious, the company was awesome. Talking with them had me so excited for all that’s to come. Tina is planning to do the Portuguese Camino and Andrea and I just so happened to be texting about doing the same thing THIS MORNING. Talk about getting a sign! 

We eventually told them our goodbyes and started hiking towards Twin Lakes. Before we made it to the trail, the wind picked up and we watched the rain drop in sheets across the lake-and then it dropped in sheets across us. Awesome. It’s funny that we were so hot and muggy two hours prior, and now we’re soaked and chilly. Bleh. 

Because of the rain, and the clouds looking like they weren’t planning on passing us any time soon, we decided to take a backroad to the highway to go into Leadville, Colorado tonight instead of going up and over a huge pass in a storm, sleep in the rain, and then have to hitch into Leadville tomorrow. Yall know I’ll do just about anything with the promise of trail towns and restaurant food! 

We road walked for what felt like forever. Three different women stopped to ask me if I wanted a ride into town, I said no every time but that maybe they should ask Pebbles up ahead-no one asked him.. so he started walking behind me, and a guy turned around and asked me-but not Pebbles! It was pretty amusing to me, but he was ready for a hitch and to forgo the road walking! Haha, sorry dude-my continuous footpath is still intact!

We stopped at a gas station for a snack and ate it outside the store before continuing to walk the highway into Leadville. When we got close, my stomach started turning in knots! I think the gas station sandwich was probably bad. I started to get the tingles and sweats, and then I saw the sign for a motel up ahead. Pebbles kept walking towards the hostel we planned to stay at, I all but ran while squeezing my butt cheeks together to the motel! 

The sign inside said “no public bathrooms,” but when the man behind the counter saw my panicked face, and I started to beg, he just pointed and said, “down the stairs, in the laundry room!” I barely made it with my undies intact! Yall. This is embarrassing, but I absolutely destroyed that bathroom, and the poor woman doing laundry in there had front row seats to my unplanned trumpet concert. Yikes. God, please bless that man behind the counter and his poor coworker! I obviously left it clean, but no one should have to hear a stranger go through all of that while trying to work. 

Anyway. Feeling 100 pounds lighter, I left the motel and continued walking through Leadville to Inn the Clouds Hostel. Downtown is so cute, with pretty houses painted funky colors-fun yard signs and tons of awesome flowers. I even passed a bunny on one of the side streets! I made it to the hostel at 6:30pm and Pebbles and I got checked in. We picked our bunks in room that holds 8 people, and then we ate some left over food that a previous family staying at the hostel left for everyone: spaghetti! Free spaghetti! You’d think I’d learn my lesson after so recently having a stomach issue-but, who can turn down free spaghetti?! Not me! 

We ate, showered, and did our laundry. We’re going to zero here tomorrow and go to a store tomorrow that makes nice fleece hoodies on site. And we’re also going to eat at a pizza place that Tina and Larry raved about. I’m pretty excited! I’m pretty sure I won’t sleep all that great in this bunk room tonight, but knowing I don’t have to hike tomorrow makes it ok. Ha. Goodnight, yall! 

Start: Colorado Trail 125.7

Stop: Colorado Trail 150.7

Today’s Miles: 25

Total CDT miles: 894.4

Man, oh man. Today was a long, but glorious day. I officially think I want to hike the Colorado trail! Pebbles and I went up and over 3 mountain passes today and shockingly-I loved every minute of it. Although, to be fair-I think I’m only shocked because of how crabby I felt yesterday. Sometimes I like having a short memory! Haha

Pebbles and I cowboy camped last night, I was so worn out and pissed off that setting up my tent just seemed like something that would push me mentally over the edge. So I didn’t. Until a little after midnight when it started to rain, of course. We both popped up and got our tents up fast-and then 15 minutes later, there was no more rain. I was happy about being in my tent-Pebbles was irritated it didn’t rain more to warrant setting his up. 

The first mountain pass started climbing immediately, and Pebbles made sure to point out the many places we could have camped before the top. I was just glad to not have had to do any climbing last night, or to have had to tote extra water for it either. At the top of the 2,500 foot climb I got enough service to apply for my Tokyo Marathon charity bib! The applications opened in Japan while I was sleeping, and I was on a mission to get to service to make this happen! It’ll be my 6th star, so it’s a big deal. I’ll find out in a few weeks if my application was accepted or not! No pressure! Ha. 

It sprinkled on and off all morning and felt kind of muggy, believe it or not. I was sweating buckets, and even before getting anywhere near the top to stop for service, Pebbles got way ahead of me. This elevation just seems to zap all of my energy. It literally gets so hard to breathe. I have to take so many mini breaks that it’s embarrassing. BUT, passing all of these Colorado Trail hikers shows me that while I’m slow-I’m still faster than a lot of other people! I’ll take the wins when I can! 

When I got half way up the second pass, I ran into Pebbles who just finished his lunch and was starting to hike again. I followed him for about 10 minutes or so before I found the spot I wanted to stop and eat my lunch at. God, faster than many, but nowhere near as fast as this guy. But what can I do? And a girl has to eat! I sat for a good 30-45 minutes eating and enjoying the scenery. A couple people passed by here and there-nothing too exciting. The views were wooded and there was nice pine duff to rest on. I was content. 

As I started hiking again, I came across a man sprawled out across the trail, his stuff everywhere, and his dog on a leash beside him. I said “hi” and asked if he was ok as I side stepped the trail to get around him. He laughed, said he was good, and then asked if I wanted to smoke a joint with him. He seemed a bit off, but nice enough. I said no thanks, to which he responded with a laugh, “damn! Your pack is huge!” Oooooook then. I laughed him off and kept hiking. 

Twenty minutes later, his pup caught up to me off leash, and then he caught me too, doing this weird little run. I scoffed because his pack was actually ginormous, with stuff literally dangling down to his kneecaps! But then I realized when we chatted a little more, while hiking behind each other, that he’s homeless. He told me about loving flowers because they’re so symmetrical, I told him I agree wholeheartedly and that Colorado has had some of the best wildflowers I’ve ever seen.. and then he started to jog again.. 

Weird. When he started jogging he was at the top of the pass and starting to head downhill. Downhill running makes sense, so I didn’t think too much of it. Until we hit the tree line and he was no where to be seen, suddenly. I kind of got the heebee geebees.. then I spotted just his pack sitting in the middle of the trail. No man. No dog. I start to get concerned for my safety a little bit, like he might pop out of the woods and attack me or something.. I even went so far as to pick up a rock.. just in case. 

He did pop out a few minutes later, doggo in tow. I’m glad I didn’t scream, hopefully I didn’t appear as startled as I was. They were just scouting out where they wanted to set up camp. I told him there was a stream coming up and that might be more ideal for him and his dog, you know, to have close access to water for the night. He said he’d think about it and he told me to have a good night then started walking back up trail to his pack. I picked up my pace. I’m sure he was fine-but to claim being a female alone with this guy didn’t have me nervous would be a lie. I think it’s just something women have to constantly be on guard about. Strange men. Anyway-glad I was prepared and paranoid instead of unprepared and attacked. People can be nuts!

I got to the top of the third and final pass, and then started my descent. At the bottom, I was greeted by Nope and Pebbles and about 50 other people camping at the campground beside a river. It was a nice set up! We scouted out our spot, and Pebbles and I decided to cowboy camp. Nope said his goodbyes and kept hiking. He does big days but sleeps in-so he does a lot of night hiking. No thanks. 

While we were sitting on our sleeping pads, talking about the day, a woman walked over and gave us trail magic! She was so excited to meet CDT hikers! We got yogurt, some fruit, and a cheese sandwich. Odd choices, but free is free and food is food. We were happy! Then, a man came over and went on and on about how cool and brave we are for doing this hike AND for cowboy camping specifically. He was one man with a HUGE 5th wheel camper to himself. He even invited us over to hang out at his site, but we were (and are) too tired. 

Tomorrow, we only have to hike 9 miles to get to the spot that Pebble’s friend, Tina, is going to be with her husband and trail magic! I’m so pumped! I can’t wait to meet them! Technically, Tina is close friends with Laurie, another friend of Pebbles who follows his long hikes (maybe my blog, too).. she’s a fellow backpacker and adventurer, as is Tina and her husband. They’re out on a road trip in their Vanlife Van, and we were able to get somewhere that our paths could cross! How freaking cool! 

So, on that note-goodnight! We have places to go and people to meet! And probably good food to eat, too! Haha! Sweet dreams! 

Start: Mirror Lake Alternate 5.6

Stop: Colorado Trail 125.7

Today’s Miles: 25.6

Total CDT miles: 869.4

I am so utterly worn out. 

I slept great, once I warmed up. I was in my leggings, down booties, beanie, and puffy.. and it still took about 30 minutes to get warm. I never got hot and never took off any of my layers. I’m shocked!

We decided last night before bed that we would get to the road to Cottonwood Pass and take it up and over the pass, down to the Colorado Trail. We realized a little too late that this is the part of the loop to Twin Lakes that Nope was taking from the Butterfly House. If we had known about the snow then, we’d have done the same from there, instead of needing to go up and over a busy road pass again, and then also adding miles to our trek. Oh well. Live and learn. 

Pebbles left about 10 minutes before me this morning, and I got to walking just after 6:30, bleary eyed and cold. They say it takes 3 weeks to form a habit and all that-I’m on round 3 of thru hiking and on day 49 of this round.. why am I still not a morning person? 

The trail was mostly up for the first part of the morning, starting off in wooded forest and opening up to gorgeous views above the tree line. Right when I was spotting my last bit of trees for the foreseeable future and planning where to go dig a hole, Pebbles appeared from behind me! I screamed and almost had a really big problem on my hands! 

He had somehow taken a wrong turn and went down the wrong path for at least a mile before he realized it. This whole time I was trying to push myself to climb faster because I knew he’d be so far ahead of me, and he was accidentally behind me! He carried on up the mountain and I snuck off into the woods to dig a hole-ultimately still being forever far behind him. 

The views at the top of the climb were gorgeous, and there was a long line of snow right at the top-I just hiked around it since the mountain was otherwise a grassy bald. On the way down, somewhere before the junction to the road for Cottonwood Pass, a girl came walking my way. I asked her about Lake Ann Pass. She said it was sketchy, but doable. After chatting a bit, I had a feeling Pebbles may want to change his mind and take the redline instead of the (snow free) Colorado Trail after talking to her. 

I was a little anxious, but resigned myself to be ok with going either way. It would be sketchy in the snow with a cornice and vertical descent, but if everyone can apparently make it, surely I can too. When I finally caught up to Pebbles, who was just packing up from his lunch, he informed me of exactly what I had expected. He decided to chance the redline. 

I sat down and started eating my lunch, and asked if he’d wait for me before crossing it, since I’m slower and I didn’t want to cross it, and potentially slide to my death alone. He said he would. He didn’t leave right away, and chatted with me awhile instead. By the time I was packing up from lunch (only 25 minutes later, if even), we were back to taking the Cottonwood Pass road walk to the Colorado Trail. 

I was instantly relieved. And then the next obstacle: he wanted to hitch to the Colorado Trailhead junction, 15 miles from here up and over Cottonwood Pass. I didn’t want to ruin my continuous footpath over something I could control. We stood at the road for a few minutes, and when no cars immediately came by, I told him I’d rather walk the 15 miles, but he could hitch and go without me. 

We both ended up walking the whole way. Instead of going in a few miles on the Colorado trail, we’re camping at the junction. We did a little Bushwhack off the road uphill right before Cottonwood Pass, and it wore me out. Then, coming downhill for roughly 10 miles, baking in the sun and walking on the asphalt-my body feels cooked. When we got close to the junction, I yelled up to him, “I’m not going up a pass tonight!” 

From the junction, the trail goes up 2500 feet to a mountain pass. I don’t care that it didn’t have snow on it-I wasn’t going to go up it at all tonight. My legs are baked and I have heat rash brewing on my back, hips, and butt. I’m tired. I told him as much when we got water from the creek that crosses right at the junction. I know I sounded snappier than I intended. 

I assumed he’d keep going, but instead he stayed at the junction with me. He seems a little irritated, but I could be projecting. I hate feeling like I’m holding him back, but I also can’t keep pretending I’m 22 and can just keep walking when I feel awful, just because he can. Yesterday was over 8 miles more than we planned, and we already made it to 25 miles today. We don’t have to keep pushing so hard when we’re technically doing just fine on time. 

Anyway. That’s today. I’m tired and burnt and exhausted. And I don’t know if I’ll be able to stick to his mileage or if he’ll want to keep waiting on me. Which is totally fair both ways. I really don’t want to hold him back and have him resent me because I can’t keep up. Ugh. Alright. That’s it. Goodnight y’all.