CT's Highest Point Here I Come!

With summer rolling by, I've only a limited window to complete the Colorado Trail, so here I go once again. I am heading out of Beulah this Friday afternoon to spend the night in Creede with Helene (it's her birthday), then I will take off from Spring Creek Pass Saturday morning. I am giving myself until Wednesday to complete Sections 22-24...afternoon thunderstorms may slow me down. Needless to say, I'll be packing up early each day to get my miles in before noon. Section 22 will bring me to the trail's highest point of around 13,300', right near a peak called Coney's Summit. Molas Pass, a few miles south of Silverton, is my destination. I am looking forward to some phenomenal scenery, as most of these miles are above timberline. Look for my post-hike report.

Now THAT was a hike!

All last year, across the first 267 miles of the CT, hardly a drop of rain fell on me. Not once did I pull out my rain gear. Well, that does not seem to be how 2011's miles are shaking out. Not so far, anyway. Hail, a late morning thunderstorm, off-and-on afternoon rain, early morning fog...wet is now a word to add to my CT experience.

I am happy to say that, beyond the added tasks associated with all the moisture (e.g. drying out the tent, being sure key gear stayed dry), it didn't really cramp my style all that much. The biggest challenge came from the fatigue associated with 4 consecutive 20-mile days. Combined with lots of elevation gains, these miles really wiped me out. I'll admit it, when the last day's 12 and a half miles were nearly complete as I approached Spring Creek Pass where Helene was meeting me, I was ready to be off the trail.

Not that the 90.6 miles were all wet and tired...I saw so much beauty (mountain vistas, gorgeous sunsets, lovely wildflowers), I successfully met the challenge of all those miles, my body kept on keeping on, and I raised more revenue for MPEC's education programs, so young folks can continue experiencing the natural world through our programs. Not a bad way so spend five days in July.

I am now 358 miles into the 485-mile adventure. This leaves 127 miles of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery Colorado has to offer left to hike. Of course, the on-going challenge is how to fit the rest of these miles into all the other things I need and want to do this summer. But, a plan to finish the CT in two more separate treks is taking shape...more as that firms up. Here are a few photos from along the trail. Also, you can check out a recent Pueblo Chieftain article on my Colorado Trail Hike by clicking here.

Ranger Dave Starts 91 mile leg of Colorado Trail Today

Helene here:

I just left Dave at the Marshall Pass trailhead at 6am as daybreak fell around us and a pack of coyotes howled nearby. What a beautiful morning for Dave to begin this weeklong trek It's a 13 mile journey down a old railroad dirt road to the trail head and we spent the night there in our tent. It rained most the night and was in the 40's this morning. We could see snowfields nearby but wildflowers were blooming brilliant this morning and it's a beautiful day.

Helene ( the woman who wishes she was hiking with him but no way...today alone is a 22 mile day and that's too quick a pace for me)

OK, here I go again!

Reports have it that the high-country snows are rapidly melting, so Plan B has been formulated. Helene and I will be heading out of Beulah this Saturday to spend our 35th anniversary (which is July 10...wow, it's been three and a half decades since our bi-centennial wedding in Queens) in Salida. We will spend Sunday evening camping at Marshall Pass. I will set out on Section 16 Monday morning, and Helene will head home. I plan on hiking Sections 16 through 21, a 91 mile trek, over five days and will meet Helene on Friday afternoon at Spring Creek Pass on CO Hwy 149. That is the plan...let's see how this goes.