Cristina J

My name is Cristina, AKA Purple Haze, and I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail this summer! After thru-hiking the PCT in 2024, I've been ITCHING to get back out there for another thru-hike. I live in Bend, Oregon and love EVERYTHING outdoors - hiking, backpacking, car camping, paddle boarding, floating the Deschutes, hanging at breweries, biking, you get the idea.

Posts

Colorado Trail Day 30: I MADE IT ALIVE TO DURANGO

Colorado Trail Day 30: I MADE IT ALIVE TO DURANGO

Day 30 - 13.3 miles LAST DAY LAST DAY LAST DAY!! I woke up and within 30 seconds I was moving about and packing my things up. LAST DAY!!!! No

Sep 9, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Day 29: The War Is Almost Over – The Final Storm

Colorado Trail Day 29: The War Is Almost Over – The Final Storm

Day 29 - 19 Miles What a whirlwind of a second-to-last day. I woke up early AF and got packed up with the help of my adorable fairy lights.

Sep 4, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 27-28: Blackhawk Pass, Llamas & (More) Lightning

Colorado Trail Days 27-28: Blackhawk Pass, Llamas & (More) Lightning

Day 27 - Back to Trail 20.5 miles I woke up early and anxious to get back on trail, as I mentioned yesterday. I was out of the hotel by 7:10 a.m.

Sep 3, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 25-26:  The Train to Silverton & A Much-Needed Reset

Colorado Trail Days 25-26: The Train to Silverton & A Much-Needed Reset

Day 25 - The Train to Silverton 9.5 miles Gooooood morning! I woke up bright and early at 5:43 a.m., one minute before my alarm

Sep 1, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Day 24: From the Highest Point on the CT to My Lowest Low – A Near-Death Thunderstorm

Colorado Trail Day 24: From the Highest Point on the CT to My Lowest Low – A Near-Death Thunderstorm

Day 24 - I Hate It Here 23.1 Miles Today started off great. And is ending horribly. Sunrise over camp was magnificent.

Aug 30, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Day 23: Reaching the Highest Point on the Colorado Trail!

Colorado Trail Day 23: Reaching the Highest Point on the Colorado Trail!

Day 23 - 15.6 miles I slept reallll good in that hotel bed. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to hang out at the Hiker Center for

Aug 28, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 21-22: Summiting San Luis Peak & Reaching Lake City

Colorado Trail Days 21-22: Summiting San Luis Peak & Reaching Lake City

  Day 21 - San Luis Peak! 18.3 trail miles + San Luis Peak Summit It was cold this morning. Hiking through the

Aug 26, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 19-20: 25 Miles in the Rain, 300 Miles & Trail Magic!

Colorado Trail Days 19-20: 25 Miles in the Rain, 300 Miles & Trail Magic!

Day 19 - 25.5 Miles and a Fox in the Rain! Today was my biggest day yet: 25.5 miles. I’m laying in my tent at the end of the day

Aug 24, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 17-18: Zero in Salida & GOODBYE to the Collegiate West

Colorado Trail Days 17-18: Zero in Salida & GOODBYE to the Collegiate West

Day 17 - Zero Day in Salida After all the big-mile days, I was very happy to have a zero day in Salida. And wow, Salida is

Aug 22, 2026 : Cristina J
Colorado Trail Days 15-16: A Moose, 200 Miles & Hancock Lake

Colorado Trail Days 15-16: A Moose, 200 Miles & Hancock Lake

200 Miles!! Day 15 - 18.2 miles Today started off a whole lot better than yesterday. I woke up and swore I could smell a tiny bit of

Aug 20, 2026 : Cristina J