Day 8, 6/10/10, Finish Segment 6

After such an eventful second day on Segment 6, we weren't really sure what to expect on this last day for the segment.

We would be reaching elevations over 11,000 feet again, and we would be on some northern exposures again. In fact, both of these circumstances would be confronted after breaking camp in the morning. There was a steady gain from our start at mile 20 to about mile 22. This would lead us to a great view of Keystone Ski Resort. Fortunately the snow was not nearly the factor it was the previous day.

Our pace was workman like. We made quick work of mile 23 and began the switchbacks down the otherside of the mountain. Gazes were set westward to the Ten Mile Range, all the while trying to figure out where Segment 7 of the trail might possibly be permitted to cross this stout edifice. Not that this was going to be an immediate challenge, it was just an interesting point to ponder on our descent.

Plan A, on this day, was to look for water at about mile 26. If water was there, it sure looked alot like dirt. Plan B was to look for water at about mile 27. Water was flowing there, but the drainage was about 100 feet off the trail, down a steep bank. We were making great time, so we decided to look for the "full-cup" just beyond mile 28. There was plenty of water there, and a great place for lunch.

With just over 4 miles left, a gentlemen's wager was made as to whether we would reach the trailhead in closer to 2 hours or closer to 3 hours. I thought it would be closer to 2. A gentlmen never boasts, so that does not preclude me from making it known how right I was! 2-2-2!

The last few clicks of trail had many switchbacks down to civilization. Leaving civilization gave me this incredible opportunity to spend time with my Dad. Going back to civilization meant our "quality time" would again be more quantified. I will always remember the Colorado Trail for its magnificent beauty and the adventures had along the way. But I will always treasure that on the Colorado Trail, every step was taken with my Dad.

Day 7, 6/9/10, Segment 6

Waking up at an elevation of 11,670 is cold even in June. Fortunately, being above the treeline means there are no trees to block the sun's heat when it eventually breaches the horizon.

We needed to fill all four (4) water bottles this morning, so we did not get on the trail until 9:20a. The area of the trail we started out on was filled with water racing downslope as recently as the previous afternoon. The cold night stopped the melt, and suspended the seasonal rivulet offered by the trail. The trail was ready for us and we were ready for it.

By 9:40a we had reached the top of Georgia Pass, elevation 11,880. The views were incredible and humbling. The optimism we had the previous day regarding the snow cover on the trail would disappear as quickly as oxygen at these elevations. We crossed the pass and began our descent.

The first snow drift was encountered as soon as we reached the first grove of trees. Still, this was passible, and we had no thoughts that the snow would be any different than that which we dispensed the previous day. We couldn't have been more wrong!

The next 1.5 miles would take us 3 hours to complete. Drift after drift ranging from 3 to 6 feet high required us to use a technique called "postholing". We would use our poles to check depths and search for firm footing as we made our passage. Most of the time this "postholing" was in vain. Time after time we sank up to our waist in snow. Many instances required our bodies to contort in unatural ways to gain liberation from the latent snow.

When not attempting to go through the snow, our energies were spent going around the blockages. Two problems are created using this technique. First, an incredible amount of energy is spent going up and down the slope. Secondly, there is a great risk of losing sight of the trail and getting lost. Thankfully this section of trail stayed mostly above the 11,600 line on the topo map, and also there were enough open sections of trail to connect the dots!

When the snowiest section of trail was eventually cleared, we were left with water sloshing in our boots, and a rocky trail down to our lunch destination.

Lunch was well earned and lengthy. Alongside the Swan River, we took time to fill the water bottles, wring out our socks, and dry our boots as best as possible.

The balance of the day was spent making our way toward camp, and recounting stories of the most challenging day of the trip so far.

Camp was located at 5:00p, and we enjoyed Salmon and cous cous in our serene surroundings.

Day 6, 6/8/10, Start Segment 6

On the trailhead for Segment 6 at 8a. Segment 6 is significant for several reasons; it is the longest segment of the entire Colorado Trail, it is the first segment to venture into the Alpine, it is the first segment to cross the Continental Divide, and it is the first segment to climb above the treeline.

By 11:15a we were 6 miles in, and decided to have lunch along Jefferson Creek. This is an exquisite mountain creek, and it was at full-flow with the spring snow melt. The creek also gave us an opportunity to replenish our water supply, as we had a steep gain ahead of us after lunch.

Our goal before we started this day was to make the 11.1 mile mark. This would put us just below the Georgia Pass and the Continental Divide. Having 6 miles completed by lunch gave us a realistic shot at reaching our goal. However, the hiking would be quite different in the afternoon going from 10,000 elev. to 11, 670.

On the way up we observed a couple of Whiskey Jacks, an abandoned log cabin, and Jefferson Lake as it is cradled among the massive mountains characteristic of this area.

We encountered another hiker who was quite a character. He had been on the trail for two (2) weeks. He was travelling from Denver to the back door of his house in Keystone. This meant he would be leaving the CT at the Continental Divide, and following a topo map to hopefully make it to his home.

The final hour of our day introduced us to measurable snow covering the trail. Snow was a concern for this segment, but we were still encouraged, as this side of the pass seemed fairly navigable. We would soon learn that one side of the Divide does not necessarily translate to the other side.

By 4:00p we had reached an elevation of 11, 670. This is where we made camp. The next morning we would have only 1 mile and 210 feet of elevation to reach the Georgia Pass.

Day 5, 6/6/10, Finish Segment 5

Up at 5a from rain falling on our foreheads. No, there wasn't a leak in the tent, it was from condensation. Warm, moist air inside the tent was hitting the cold shell, condensating, and then falling on the occupants inside.

Morning coffee never tasted so good as it did on this cool mountain morning! Our morning beverage partnered with the sun now peaking into the meadow in which we were camped to warm on the inside as well as out.

We faced our biggest climb of the day right after oatmeal breakfast, and breaking camp. The climb to 10,000 feet at mile 10 rewarded us with amazing panoramic views valley west of Kenosha pass.

The 14.4 miles of Segment 5 were concluded at 12:40p on this day. Our Sherpa met us on the last downhill of the trail, and accompanied us to the trailhead and the car. End Day 5.

Day 4, 6/5/10, Start Segment 5

We were on the trail at 9:30a. Overall the day felt like we were "cheating" as there was not much altitude gain. We climbed initially and then it was mostly traversing at about 10,000 feet. The trail took us first through some magnificent pine forest, and then through some beautiful aspen groves. We marked fallen trees with our GPS so they could be reported to Colorado Trail management for removal.

Lunch was enjoyed by a delightful mountain stream. The spring snow melt offers us many opportunites to replenish our water supply.

The skies were impossibly blue this day. God gave Colorado its own color blue for its skies, and that is why "color" is in the state's name.

We gambled that there would be water at the 8.4 mile mark. If there was no water we would have had to backtrack to 7.1. Fortunately water was flowing so we left the trail at 4:40p.

Camp was established and we enjoyed a relaxing evening. Total distance travelled Day 4: 8.4 miles

My turn

After much talking, and much planning, it is now time to lay down some treads! We are hitting segment 5 of the trail this morning. Entering the unknown is what makes this so exciting! It isn't just the unknown of what's over that hill, or what's around that peak? It is also the unknown of living without any "creature comforts" for a sustained period of time. I am not referring to flat screens and the internet, I am referring to running water and electricity. Enter the unknown.

I am bringing the live link to our GPS coordinates to the top of the page. If this share page doesn't pick-up, we'll have to create a new one:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0BFqOkypAafzd3jlNHsvq014vGxyA1ZXf

Day 3, 6/1/10, Finish Segment 2, Finish Segment 3

We woke up a little earlier after a better night of sleep. After breakfast, coffee and some advil for sore muscles, we headed 1.5 miles round trip to a fire station to get water. Then we broke camp and started the day of hiking. We quickly finished the last mile of segment 2 shortly and started segment 3. Segment 3 was through beautiful forests, with many welcomed streams for water. We walked 14 miles. At 5:15pm Pat met us at the end of segment 3 with enthusiastic cheers. This was Ryan's last day on the trip. Next Craig will join Lee for a few days of adventure on the Colorado Trail.

Day 2, 5/31/10, Finish Segment 1, Start Segment 2

Got a slow start to the day after a rough night of sleep. Enjoyed some great camp coffee. Lee lost his tooth eating oatmeal. The rest of segment 1 was a 4 mile walk down to the South Platte River. Lee bruised his toe on the walk down. We finished segment 1 at noon. We had lunch on the bank of the river. Many of the next 10 miles were in an area burned by forest fire in 1996. It was a hot 1500 foot climb without a source for water. In 10 hours we walked 15 miles. We didn't make camp until 8:15pm. It was a long and exhausting day, but it was interesting and memorable. If we were going to pick a day hike out of the CT guidebook, we would never pick this segment, but this was a truly unique hiking experience. One that we have never had before. This is a benefit of hiking the entire CT. You hike areas you would not normally choose opening your eyes to new interesting environments.

Day 1, 5/3010, Segment 1

Lee and Ryan start the day with Pat at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead. First 6 miles was a gradual climb on a dirt road. Many people asked us how far we were headed then gave us unsolicited advise. Apparently we did not look like experts. We walked 12 miles in 8 hours. The second half of the day was on a great single track trail. We saw big horn sheep, lizards, a mouse and heard a grouse just of the trail. From camp we could see the lights of Denver to the east.

Link to real time coordinates

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0BFqOkypAafzd3jlNHsvq014vGxyA1ZXf

And they're off...

The adventure is officially underway! Lee & Ry set-up camp at these coordinates last night: 39.41076-105.14392. You can locate them on Google Earth by typing in their coordinates. It's pretty cool!

Hopefully I will figure out how to add a tracking feature to this blog so we can see where they are in real time. If not, I will update their campsites daily so we can monitor their progress.

I am assured that the Logistics Manager is doing well in Breckenridge. She has a condo with underground heated parking and a flat screen TV. Hers is a big job, and she had a lot of technology to learn in a short period of time!

Colorado Trail: 483 total miles - minus 11. Day One.

The Particulars

We have some details!

For those who have expressed an interest in this trip, but could not commit to a decision without dates, this is for you. Look it over, think it over. Here is an example of how to read the chart:

Hiking Party "A" will hike three (3) segments: 1=16.8, 2=11.5, and 3=12.2. May 29, 2010 is a travel day to the "put-in" point, May 30, 2010 is a prep. day, May 31 is when the hike begins. June 2 is when Party "A" finishes their portion of the trail.

We have planned one (1) day before each Party commences to get acclimated to the altitude, to make any last minute gear changes, and to share stories with the Party coming off the trail. This also lets the Hiker of Honor rest a little bit, and maybe enjoy a little red wine.

There will be more details about what gear will be provided, what you need to rent or buy, and what other provisions you should think about. If you are serious about taking this hike you should have your hiking boots now. If they are new the trail is not a good place to break them in.

But as for this post, all we are looking for is a head count.