Pagosa springs to Salida

Things are going well. Health wise, my body is holding up to the higher mile days. I have been trying to get shorter town days in there as rest days. I really do not like zeroing so that will be enough for my recovery. I have been trying to stretch a lot. It does seem to help with muscle soreness when it does come on. Walking technique is important as well when trying to hike high miles. Being economical is important as well as walking gently.

I have increased my caloric intake as of recent. Up until Lake City I was purchasing and eating around 3,000 calories. Naturally with my increased mileage I got more hungry. At this I am purchasing roughly 4,000 calories per day. Food does get heavy which sucks, but it does get lighter by the day. I also have been feeling a little weak in the morning. To deal with that I decided to increase my protein intake for breakfast. Out goes the poptarts and in comes the protein bars for breakfast. Now I also am taking protein powder throughout the day to help there too.

My original plan was to continue with the high mile days until I reached the Denver area. At that point I had planned to try for the Colorado Trail unsupported fastest known time. I wanted to hike north through the trail and then go for it heading south. However, as of recently the last section of the Colorado Trail has been closed because of the 416 fire that is burning north of Durango.

Now I’m in an awkward position with my parents flying into Denver on July 1st and I’m just about 200 miles away. Oh well, I’ll figure something out.

I have been enjoying hiking alone. I was with a group until a day past Pagosa, but since then the companionship has been slim. Some days I have only see one or two other hikers. That is one awesome part of this trail.

To get into Salida I did 10 miles in the morning and quickly got two hitches to make it the 20 miles to town. My plan is to spend the night at the hostel and then hitch out in the morning and make for a half day of hiking.

Plans changed. I hung out around the hostel long enough this morning and decided to take a zero. Whatever. Salida is a very nice Colorado town and The Simple Hostel is a lovely place to stay if you are in the area.

I have a plan to head back out tomorrow and head north on the CDT. When I get to Twin Lakes if I feel good and conditions are good I’m going to head south and finish the Collegiate Peak Loop. It is a 165 mile long around the collegiate mountains. I am still having an urge to do big miles so this will allow me to do that while killing a little time. Most importantly I will get to see more of this wonderful state.

Recent mileage

June 4th 15 miles

June 5th 31 miles

June 6th 35.5 miles

June 7th 27 miles

June 8th 20 miles – Lake City

June 9th 41.5 miles

June 10th 37 miles

June 11th 11 miles – Salida

June 12th 0 miles