Beginnings… of the End

July 19th:

Today was a great trail day! We started off early in our alpine campsite above Creede, packed up, and began immediately walkig up the reputedly steepest part of the trail. It was 1.3 to the top of the pass and we went slow and steady as the sun rose over San Luis Peak behind us, turning the peaks from green to gold.

At the top, another beautiful view of a mountain valley welcomed us and we stopped to eat mini cinnamon rolls, make hot chocolate, and enjoy the view.

A young guy came up and joined us for breakfast and as we got to talking we were sharing stories of trail names. We found out he didn’t have one. We continued talking and he told us a story of a guy who had a trail name based on the way he pooped in the woods. Then he said, “yeah, when I poop, I normally hug the tree for support.” Immediately Mary and I exclaimed, “that’s your trail name! Treehugger!”

We were so stoked to give out our first trail name!

After a long rest soaking in the beautiful scenery, we got up and started walking down into the alpine valley. The first half of the day was all ups and downs non-stop, with one specifically giant climb over a big mountain. We couldn’t stop on the climb, either, because the mosquitoes were so pesky.

After the biggest climb we started going downhill and eventually came out onto a giant Mesa – a flat expanse of alpine land at 12,000 feet where there was still snow, no trees, and blazing sun. The landscape around us looked like Kansas: it was hard to believe we were over 2 miles high.

We walked on this flat expanse for what felt like forever. For me, it was torturous. Every hill we crested just revealed the trail further and further into the distance. On the far horizon we could see the full San Juan Mountain Range, which was the one thing keeping me going.

After forever we came to a washout of rocks and started heading downhill for about half an hour. As we came closer to the road – and Mary was starting to get pissed off at the downhill (as she often did) – we rounded a corner and found Weatherman sitting, waiting for us!

The day before in Creede I had had a bit of service and weatherman had called me to ask where we were. He was surprised to hear that we were only a day behind him, and decided to wait for us and take a nero day.

The Surprise Treat

Weatherman – the GOAT – had brought Mary and I cinnamon rolls and soda, and with him were the two brothers we’d briefly met on the worst day on trail (Segment 17 – Sargeants Mesa). He’d convinced them to walk with us after they’d all met at the hikers diner in Lake City.

We all hung out in the woods for awhile, eating and drinking for about an hour, and then we all walked about 5 more miles to the campsite for the night.

Our new companions were Tailwind and Ryan, two brothers from Maryland, and they were fun company to hike with, if not blazing fast.

Camp was so fun with our crew, we got the ukelele out and had a sing a long, and then we all played cards and told stories from the last few days on the trail. As we were chilling in our campsite in the alpine, Sailor passed us and joined us for a bit but eventually continued walking. The sun set to the west and we all climbed into bed knowing we had a big day ahead of us tomorrow as we entered the San Juan Mountains.