Only the Beginning of the Journey: CT mile 0-102.4

The Colorado Trail would bring new challenges for my Dad and I and our longest trip to date (the longest being around 250 miles). Each trip there is usually one or two aspects that we are nervous about.

Being from Oregon we get a lot of rain, but what we don’t get are thunderstorms and lightning. The idea of being above tree line and seeing a thundercloud in front of me is terrifying.

The other challenge of this trip was the travel. In the past we’ve been able to drive to the trail without much logistical planning. This trip we had to fly, which meant figuring out how to pack our gear (and what not to pack) for a flight, and figuring out how to get from the airport to the trailhead before and after the trip.

Day 0 – Getting to Denver

Early morning wake up at 4:10 am. The airline warned us the security lines could be long and to get there 2.5 hours before our flight.

We arrived in Denver and headed to a family members home who would host us for the night and give us a ride to the trailhead the next day.

We had a few items we couldn’t fly with like fuel and a lighter that we picked up before having pizza and beer for dinner. Plus, some bonus ice cream.

Bags were packed and ready to go!

Day 1 – Hot and busy trail

Got an early start to the morning at 5:15 to get breakfast before heading to the trailhead. We had a classic dinner breakfast, which Dad and I both overly stuffed ourselves.

We drove to the trailhead, which wasn’t as scenic as there was quite a bit of smoke haze in the air from far away fires.

Our hike officially started at 8:30 am at Waterton Canyon. It was already pretty hot in the canyon and it felt weird to start the hike on a big mostly flat road.

A lot of other hikers started the same day as well. We met former PCT hikers, a family from France, and others from around the US. You could really tell a lot of us started the same day at the last good water source before the South Platte River. Everyone was bunched together taking their lunch break before the climb.

Coming off a very empty JMT trail last year, I hoped we would all spread out a bit.

The original plan was to do almost 12 miles and have a less intense first day to get acclimated to the altitude and miles. However, once we got to the “good sites” FarOut listed we had to change our plans to push to the South Platte River. This made our total miles 16.2, more than 4 miles over the original plan. We soaked our bodies in the river and avoided the biting flies that seemed to love our ankles.

Day 2 – Burn zones and rain

Woke up at 5:15 am fairly well rested and ready to take on the day! Since we were already ahead of schedule there wasn’t much of a plan of where we would stop. We did know that there was a possibility of rain at some point.

We hiked a few miles over some beautiful open terrain before stopping to eat breakfast. The air was crisp so the miles came a bit easier. Hiking in the morning is some of the most beautiful.

After breakfast we had 6.5 miles to a fire station where we could water. Luckily during most of the section we had a bit of cloud cover. We walked through a big burn area that at first was actually really pretty. Wildflowers, grass, and rock formations were all around. Once the clouds opened up though it got so hot and it felt like you were getting cooked from the sun and the heat coming from the ground. We made it to the fire station to sit in some shade and have lunch.

Lunch wasn’t as long as usually. The wind was picking up and some ominous clouds weren’t far off in the distance. The new plan was to hike to Buffalo Creek to camp, which at the fire station FarOut said it was a bit over 5 miles away. However, the app does not like to make calculations if you are slightly off trail, which we were. So in fact it was 9.5 miles…

After going a couple of miles the rain started to sprinkle on us. It was still pretty warm out so there wasn’t a need for our rain jackets. Eventually the light rain turned to almost pouring and it got miserable. At this point I realized that the nice 5 miles to camp would be much longer.

The rain stopped and the sun came out 30 minutes before we got to camp so we were able to set up without it raining. Exhausted from the last 2 days we passed out in our tents only for it to start raining again for almost 2 hours.

Day 3 – A long climb

After the rain the night before and camping next to a stream, there was a lot of condensation in our tents. Nothing like hitting your head on your wet tent first thing in the morning. Packing up for the day took a bit longer to try and get as much moisture off our tents.

We left camp around 7am after sleeping in a bit since we had such a long day before. The plan was to hike around 13.5 miles to have a bit easier day. Of course the first 11 miles were all uphill.

At first the uphill was gradual. The forest was pretty open around us and it was a delightful trail. After our stop for breakfast 4 miles in this changed.

The trail turned into an old road that got progressively steeper and rockier. If felt so slow trying to find some rhythm with my trekking poles. We went in and out of aspen and evergreen forests and kept climbing.

Finally we made it to the top and stopped for a much needed lunch break. But again clouds and some thunder in the distance didn’t make for a relaxing time.

The next 2.5 miles were worth it. We descend into a beautiful valley meadow. I’ve never seen a meadow quite this big and the stoke for being on the trail was invigorating.

We ended our day at a nice campsite by the meadow. We thought we might have had some trail magic (FarOut comments are not my friend this trip), but it was pretty empty and we had it mostly to ourselves. Ended the evening hearing thunder all around us before the sun came out for a sunset.

Day 4 – We cruising

A very cold morning with a lot of condensation. our coldest morning on trail so far had us wearing gloves and jackets for the first few miles. The sun hadn’t made it around the bend so we were in the shade walking along the meadow for awhile.

The meadow seemed to stretch on forever and we cruised through the first 5 miles. The best part was looking in the distance and seeing horses! We had been seeing horse poop (fresher every day) and wondered if we were catching up. We meet two incredible women doing the trail by horse. It’s always special to see horses on trail and if you think hiking the trail can be logistically challenging try doing it with horses!

The day kept cruising along and we saw our first glimpse of the mountains ahead of us.

After lunch we had a few small climbs, but we had a glorious breeze and we started walking through more open meadows with incredible views.

Ended the day going through some more aspen groves and getting our last water before dry camping. I so love loading up on water before going uphill at the end of the day 😂

Day 5 – Our first pass

Another cold and beautiful morning. The goal was to do a few miles stop for breakfast then head to Konosha Pass. But the morning miles did their thing and we were moving so well. We pushed to the pass to a campground that had a water pump, pit toilets, a hiker box, and picnic tables!

The day just better after that. More open views, incredible people on the trail, and smooth miles.

After lunch we had a big climb though. Georgia Pass was in front of us, and only hoped my legs would hold out.

I felt so good till the last bit. My feet were just done stepping. I kept reminding myself not everyone gets to do this and this is why I chose to be out here. I get to see incredible views above tree line!

We stopped to hoop and hauler at the top of the pass before descending down the other side. Now we had to find a campsite. Once again we found ourselves hiking further than we wanted, but ended up with an amazing campsite with a view of the pass behind us.

Day 6 – Pushing to town

Since almost every day on this section we had gone further than we planned we realized we could go into town a day early if we pushed 18.2 miles.

The first 5 miles were all downhill, though the trail was pretty rocky and steep so you had to stay alert or fall face first. We had breakfast at the bottom and watered up for a 8.4 mile water carry and a climb.

It was hot and I felt like a slug. Fortunately, it wasn’t too long of climb, though it wasn’t very open at the top so views were not great.

We then started the decent into Breakenridge and started seeing more and more people on the trail.

The trail was more hot and exposed but the pull of town was real. I got cell service part way down and was able to book our stay for two nights. My feet so ready for a rest.

We made it to the bottom at 3:30pm and caught the bus to our lodging. Ready to eat and rest up for the next section.

This last 102.4 miles feels like it has been just the warm up of what’s to come.

Hike on!