2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back

Late season snow  has altered almost everyone’s hiking plans.

Back on trail… sort of.

I flew back to the trail with my husband early last week. We met up with his cousin who lives near the CDT and spent a few days doing day hikes so I could get used to the elevation again. Then, he dropped me off at a trail head in northern Colorado early this week. I tried to get over the first mountain pass I came across, but the snow was becoming almost continual, deep, and soft – almost like really deep slush. I was post-holing up to my hips, and occasionally sliding off trail. I knew there were some very steep traverses closer to the pass, and I decided it probably wouldn’t be prudent to continue.

So I hiked back down and got a ride with my husband’s cousin to a location about 50 miles up trail that looked like it might be a better place to restart. She dropped me off at an off-season hotel with great rates! I decided to wait a few days for the snow to melt a bit more along the ridges where the trail was. And then there was an avalanche warning issued for high elevations for the entire state. So I added a few more days on my hotel stay. I’ll be heading back out when that is lifted. Already, I’ve noticed a marked difference in the snow levels at the ridge! 

Day hiker extraordinaire

When I was home last month, I was walking 12-20 miles each day on our local rail trail. In case you didn’t know, walking a level trail with minimal elevation gain on the east coast is not the same as hiking at over 8k ft. with elevation gains of up to 2k more. Whew! I have been hiking daily out here, but it is ex.haust.ing! Here are some pics for your pleasure, though!