Just Colorado Things

Another state down, and this one was wonderful. Colorado was full of friends, family and love. Our home state welcomed us with open arms and beautiful alpine hiking. Here’s some thoughts/ideas/favorites from our time in Colorado! 

Three Word Description: 

Britt: Heart, Home, Healing 

Devin: Sunny, Steep, Stunning

Playlist: 

• Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promises- The Avett Brothers
• Mountain Annie- Fruition  
• Porchswing- Caamp 
• Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival 
• Home- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros 
• Before the Sun- Gregory Alan Isakov 
• Real Love- Father John Misty
• Tomorrow- Shakey Graves 
• Long Lost- Lord Huron
• Wild World- Yusuf/ Cat Stevens  
• Love is All- The Tallest Man on Earth 

Emojis:

• Moose 🫎
• Pine 🌲
• Wildflowers 🌼
• Love 🥰
• Mosquitos 🦟

Fav Snacks:

Britt: 

• Mini Oreos 
• Honey Stinger Chews 
• Anything salty and crunchy 

Devin:

• Beef Sticks
• Snickers 

Fav Trail Magic:

Britt + Devin: The endless friends and family that made their section easier than it should have been. Their help with packages and spending time together were paramount to our success. 

Honorable Mention: The ice cream and beer at Herman Gulch. Just as we leaving the parking lot, a woman came up and offered us some beer. We got two yummy IPAs to sip before heading up the trail. Then, she came back with two ice cream cones! The combo was perfect on a hot afternoon and so appreciated! 

Fav Day:

Britt: Day 63- The Zirkel Circle! While this trail is technically not on the CDT, we took it as an alternate/ detour to make up for some lost miles from Buff Pass to Seedhouse Road. This trail is my family’s favorite from when we lived up in North Routt. As I crested the ridge between the two valleys, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be back there. The familiar view of Big Agnes and Mount Zirkel towering over Gilpin Lake greeted me like a warm hug. It was so special to be able to share it with Devin. He also included a summit of Mount Zirkel and met me down at Gilpin Lake. We both took a dip in the chilly lake before heading down. 

Devin:  summiting Greys Peak. It was the high point of the trail and awesome views the entire time. Then we ended the day with a beer at a micro brewery… classic CO day. 

Least Fav Day:

Britt: Day 35- Our first day in the snowy South San Juans. This day was quite the shock for me, and my worries for the section were realized. The physicality of post-holing into waist-deep snow demanded a full mental presence through every step. Going a mile could take us over an hour. It was incredibly difficult, and I wasn’t ready for the brutality. Many tears were shed this day, and I felt like I shouldn’t have been out there. 

Devin: The section that went into the Holy Cross wilderness. There was more snow that was dangerous on north side traverses and not as many views as I would have liked.

Best Camp Spot:

Britt: Up on the ridge overlooking Mount Harvard to the south. We had a significant amount of elevation in a shorter amount of miles this day and the last climb leading up to camp was steep. The view from the top was stunning and made the day of pain worth it! We set up camp in the shade of some pine trees with a stunning view of a few 14ers. Mount Harvard was in the forefront in all of her glory! We got to camp pretty early and had the entire afternoon and evening to enjoy it.  

Devin: camping next to an iced over blue lake. There was very little spots to put a tent without snow. We however found one overlooking the entire lake that was dry and had access to ice cold flowing water. We got there early so got to spend a signifying amount of time there where I learned that night how to make my water filter work with gravuty. Game changer.

Worst Camp Spot:

Britt + Devin: Dumont Lake- The site itself was peaceful and pretty near the inlet of the lake, but we were in mosquito hell! As soon as we dropped our packs, a cloud of them swarmed us. Setting up the tent quickly turned to survival mode. It was our quickest set up to date as we threw everything including ourselves inside and took refuge. We were trapped in the tent as thousands of them poked at the mesh waiting for us. The buzzing still haunts our dreams.  

Fav Town Stop:

Britt: Steamboat. It was incredibly special to stop in my hometown on this thruhike. I haven’t been back in several years, and the nostalgia and familiarity of everything engulfed me. Steamboat in the summer is magical and we spent our zero day (and Devin’s birthday) at all of the classic Steamboat places.

Devin: Grand Lake. We got to spend it eating home cooked meals and enjoying  the water. It was a needed rest after a long stretch from Breckenridge.

Least Fav Town Stop:

Britt: I don’t have one! They were all wonderful for different reasons.  

Devin: South Fork. It was memorial weekend and just very busy. Not the best tent sight or pizza as well.