2022 Colorado Trail

2022 Colorado Trail Hike

"Mile for mile the most beautiful trail in America"

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Day 3 - The Arrival and PBR

With the arrival of the sun at Scraggy Trailhead, so came Mileage. With this Kodak moment captured, off the hikers went with on their first day with all four hikers present and their goal for the day was the Rolling Creek Trailhead where they hoped to catch a ride to a nearby hostel for the night.

Today saw the heat rise which made the upward hiking encountered that much more pleasant.

The hike today is considered "challenging" as the end of the day the trail is increasingly vertical with its path which after a hot day, it can wear on hikers.

Beyond the heat and expected ascents, the hikers encountered lovely forest surroundings which provided the hikers a break from the heat in the form of shade and an opportunity to share some of their experience.

The hike took them through an Aspen forest which provides the opportunity for an Arborist Detour...

Discovered in the 1970s by a scientist at the University of Michigan, the World's oldest living organism is a clonal forest of Aspen trees found in Fishlake National Forest, Utah, named "Pando". Scientists estimate that it is over 80,000 years old and some believe potentially up to 1,000,000 years old as they have no real way of estimating age as the "tree ring" process doesn't work with a tree system the clones itself. Pando spans 106 acres with a single root system and is estimated to weigh over 13,000,000 pounds.

While not quite Pando size, our hikers pass through a pretty Aspen grove:

The hike continued upward ...

. . . and after a long day and 12 miles behind them, the hikers arrived at their stopping point and met a husband and wife both in their 80s who kindly volunteered to take them to their hostel a few miles away. Five Pair indicated that she was completely depleted as her inability to eat was seriously impacting her energy and while concern was voiced, she remained hopeful the tide would soon turn and she was planning on eating, and hopefully retaining, a big meal. She and the other hikers were happy to be at the hostel as the surrounding area provided food and beverage options and as you can see, Mileage, Dr. E and Bigglesworth took full advantage as the preferred trail beverage was available.

Strength will be needed as tomorrow includes over 3,000 feet in elevation change and their first hiking at 10,000 feet.

Miles complete: 12.5 miles

Miles to go: 445.7 mile

Day 2 - Death Dish

Five Pair, Gourmet, Dr. E and Bigglesworth headed out for their second day and the trail immediately turned upward.

Unfortunately, that was not the only thing turning as yesterday Five Pair was blessed with some trail food from a hiker that had cooked up a selection from Backpacker's Pantry and offered it to Five Pair.

While Five Pair is not particularly fond of risotto, she accepted the gracious gesture and well, her fondness did not increase after this recent gastronomic entanglement with the Northern Italian Arborio rice dish. She did not take well to the food and her digestive system reminded her of the error of her way over the next day and half as "The Death Dish" as risotto is branded on the "MasterChef" cooking series due to the difficulty in getting it right, earned its name for entirely different reason as it reeked havoc on Five Pair's ability to keep food down and nutrition and caloric intake became a problem.

The first five miles of the hike were an ascent of 2,600 feet to 7,745 feet in elevation followed by a slight down and up to the 10 mile mark where the hikers relaxed and resupplied water at at fire station.

The Death Dish and its Purveyor

During the respite as the hikers rested and hydrated, there was a bit of trail humor experienced. As hikers are militant about the weight they carry and spend seemingly countless hours evaluated items, their weight, and value, there were smiles over the vocal complaint by one hiker of the size and weight of the Colorado Trail Guide Book when upon hearing the issue, another hiker produced the smaller Colorado Trail "Pack Guide"; both produced by The Colorado Trail Foundation. The good news is that the owner of the larger version seemed to find humor in the issue and posed for a guide comparison picture.

After the break and restocking water, the hikers moved on and Five Pair immediately garnered the below picture for "Find the Wildlife Contest"! The not needed hint to lower right.

The trail leveled out and provided an undulating last few miles as the hikers worked their way towards their destination for the day, Scraggy Trailhead.

Upon arrival the hikers located a suitable camping area, set up camp and called the day complete after dinner with Five Pair still struggling to keep food down and a day and half now having passed without her having sufficient food intake, feeling weak and frustrated, but hopeful that it will pass tomorrow and happily looking forward to the arrival of Mileage.

Miles complete: 11.7 miles

Miles to go: 458.2 mile

Day 1 - Welcome to the Colorado Trail

Five Pair, Gourmet, Dr. E and Bigglesworth headed out to the Colorado Trail from the Waterton Canyon Trailhead to begin with Segment 1 of the 28 segments of the Colorado Trail. Unfortunately for our favorite canine hiker and her companion, this segment is not dog friendly as some periodicals indicate that this status is due to wildlife concerns. That being the case, Dr. E and Bigglesworth will find their way onto the CT at Indian Creek Trailhead at around the 6 mile mark and meet up with Gourmet and Five Pair. So after the obligatory photo at the sign, Gourmet and Five Pair began their hike and Dr. E and Bigglesworth traveled to their trail entry point.

For those who followed this blog during AT hikes, the CT is a very different animal. The average elevation for a thru hike of the CT is 10,300 feet starting at at Waterton Canyon at 5370 feet whereas the highest point on the AT is Clingmans Dome in Tennessee at 6,643 feet.

The start of the CT at its northern terminus was "leisurely" and provided views of some local wildlife. Initially, it was a couple deer that casually strolled by Five Pair. Shortly thereafter, a couple of the famous residents of Waterton Canyon, Big Horn Sheep, were spotted.

As the Waterton Canyon segment is the closest trail head to Denver and the surrounding cities, it is quite popular and provide biking opportunities for enthusiasts. Our hikers were less enthusiastic about the bikers as they found themselves having to dodge oncoming mountain bikers.

As the hike continued after Dr. E and Bigglesworth joined the CT, at the 6.5 mile mark the trail turned decidedly upward as the CT began to show its true colors with the next 6.2 miles being an ascent to 7640 feet, the highest point of the day.

Some pre-hike information reviewed provided some comfort to the former AT hikers as the descriptions indicated that the footing of the CT was less root and rock bound, however, Five Pair did not find those descriptions to be accurate at least on this first day of hiking the ground had similar challenges.

As the hike proceeded, tree cover providing welcomed relief from the heat encountered while hiking through the canyon.

After what was described as a long, hot day and the first attempt to get their "trail legs", the hikers descended down to the South Platte River Trailhead.

Having achieved their goal for the day, 16.5 miles to the South Platte River Trailhead, the three set up camp, enjoyed their first camp meal and called it a day. The good news is that there is a reliable water source here as water is a challenge given the drought that has been experienced in the west with the hikers being particularly mindful given the heat and dry conditions.

The day also provided an initial glimpse of the views they will encounter during their visit to the Colorado Trail.

Tired but satisfied, Day 1 ended.

Miles complete: 16.5 miles

Miles to go: 469.9 miles

Prelude 4 - The Arrival and The Detours

Three of the hikers traveled and descended upon Denver.

Five Pair and Gourmet arrived generally on time and met up at the airport to await Dr. Evil arrival. Having been advised that Dr. Evil and Bigglesworth were weathered delayed and as these hikers know that hiking requires flexibility and adjustment, the two hikers assessed the situation and determined their best course. Hydration became a necessary component of the day.

Sadly, Mileage, rescheduled her arrival due to a detour for attendance at a funeral and her flight, arrival and hike has been delayed slightly and the four will meet up after Mileage's arrival.

Weather Delay = No Problem.

Gourmet and Five Pair took the time to catch up since their time on the AT and discussed the upcoming hike and provisions that need to be located.

Gourmet's trail name originated during her time on the AT and an incident where she purchased a whole chicken along with with lots of accompanied vegetables and cooked herself a meal fit for a connoisseur of good food.

Turning to Dr. Evil's travel . . .

We have all read about the current air travel delays and issues encountered as travelers try to traverse our country and unfortunately, Dr. Evil's travel was on immune.

One might be wonder, how does one manage air travel and delays in todays air travel environment when traveling with a canine flyer?

Bigglesworth being an experienced traveler knows that issues arise and it simply a matter of being comfortable and patient.

Delay encountered, delay conquered.

Suggestion #1: Never get in between a hungry hiker and food.

Dr. Evil's trail name originated during her time on the AT at a hostel location where the driver indicated that he would take all hikers or no one into town. Dr. Evil had been obsessing for days about Mexican food and knew this location would provide her that opportunity however, one female hiker indicated that she didn't want to go into town. See Background Info (above). So... the Mexican food obsessed hiker took the opportunity to explain the issues created by being the lone dissenter to a trip to town and may have, during what was unlikely to be characterized as an academic discussion, violated personal space.

Decision changed and all the hikers were transported to town and most importantly, the hungry hiker had Mexican food.

Upon arrival back at the hostel, two other female hikers obviously impressed with her powers of persuasion, stated that she and her dog were like the characters out of the the 1997 movie "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery", Dr. Evil and his cat, Mr. Bigglesworth.

Dr. Evil and Bigglesworth arrived in Denver and the hikers met up and after the obligatory initial photo the three plotted their travel to local lodging and immediate need provisioning plans. The plan for tomorrow is trip to REI and other locations to get last minute items and a Mexican meal... without debate.

Miles complete: 0.0 miles

Miles to go: 486.4 miles

Prelude 3 - The Preview and Packing

A visit to Colorado permitted Mileage the opportunity to undertake some reconnaissance of the Colorado Trail and the photographic evidence suggests the title claims by the Colorado Trail (see title of this journal) may be accurate. Meanwhile back at their lair, Bigglesworth has been fully engaged in the requisite packing, weight v. need valuations and repacking.

Miles complete: 0.0 miles

Miles to go: 486.4 miles

Prelude 2 - The Hikers

As a public service to those who have not visited with us before, suffer from bouts of forgetfulness, or some other reason not to know or recall the backgrounds of Five Pair and Mileage and want an abbreviated summary, here goes:

"Five Pair". Mother of four, grandmother of two from east Central Florida. Completed thru hike of Appalachian Trail in 2012, went back on AT in 2021 with Mileage but after 275 miles succumbed to a fractured foot and tore ligaments, hiked the Ocean to Lake Trail with Mileage earlier this year and after healing another broken foot and unrelated foot surgery, she is heading back out.

"Mileage". Mother of one from east Central Florida. After hearing of Five Pair's hike of 2012 was a driving force in the 2021 AT "Hoots Hike" and was the sole member of the group of five to complete the thru hike. Hiked the Ocean to Lake Trail with Five Pair in February and in June met up with a 2021 hiker and hiked 260 miles in Vermont and New Hampshire.

"Gourmet" (hiker pictured on far left). Thru hiker in 2021 that met and hiked with both Five Pair and Mileage. Ground Control has to date received little information regarding Gourmet but expects that soon will be remedied however, determination and patience must be part of her markup as how else would one characterize someone that thru hikes the AT and puts up with Mileage and Five Pair :)

"Dr. Evil" (hiker pictured on right). AT thru hiker in 2021 and accomplished the feat accompanied by Lola, her Chihuahua, who received the trail name "Bigglesworth".

As readers of this blog's previous journeys know, the author is fond of detours unrelated to hiking and the fact that a hiker's trail name is a character from late 90s' movies... well, let the games begin!!

Miles complete: 0.0 miles

Miles to go: 486.4 miles

Prelude 1 - Out of the Swamp and Into the Mountains They Go

Since we last checked in with Mileage and Five Pair at the conclusion of the Swamp Creatures Hike, Mileage has done 260 miles on the AT in Vermont and New Hampshire and Five Pair endured and recovered from a broken foot and then a surgery on that foot. They soon travel from the hot and humid "comforts" of east central Florida to Denver to undertake the 486.4 miles Colorado Trail joined by "Gourmet" and "Dr. Evil".

The Colorado Trail is maintained by the Colorado Trail Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, which has as its mission the provision and maintenance of this recreation trail between Denver and Durango. The idea of the Colorado Trail arose in 1972 when Bill Lucas, a forester with the U.S. Forest Service, and Gudy Gaskill, chairwoman of the Colorado Mountain Club’s Huts and Trails Committee, spoke at a meeting in Washington, D.C. regarding the National Forests Act of 1972. The accepted birth year of the Colorado Trail is 1974 when meetings focused on establishing the Trail began and the Colorado Mountain Trails Foundation (CMTF) was established with Gudy Gaskill becoming its Executive Director. On September 4, 1987, a golden spike was hammered in by Ms. Gaskill at Molas Pass, Camp Hale and Mt. Princeton to celebrate the completion of the Colorado Trail.

Information to come on Gourmet and Dr. Evil.

The four hikers are approximately two weeks out from the start of this adventure.

Miles complete: 0.0 miles

Miles to go: 486.4 miles