While trapsing through multiple feet of snow yesterday I decided that blogging about my experience leading up to this coming summer hike of the Colorado Trail would be a great way to offer you all some entertainment, or at the very least share some good places to hike!
The story actually starts over a year ago, while I started reading books about long distance hiking and thru hiking but it appears it may actually make it to fruition this summer! A couple of weeks ago I decided to make some key purchases and plans for the hike and since then have been doing more research and some training as well. While on the trail to Heart Lake, i got to think about how much more prep i had to do to get ready for this trip... sleeping bag, tent/tarp, food, rocket stove, new shoes, practice, coordination of re-supplies, so on and so forth. To be honest its a little nervewrecking, but i feel like its just something that will feel that way until you take off. I was happy that i handled the 15lbs in the back pack with ease and even managed to half run/ski down from the peak. I estimate I was at about 12,000' - 12,500' of elevation and the postholing up the last mile or so was rough, but the reward was definitely in the sliding back down. I passed a few more hikers on their way up and most of them were pretty amused to see me barreling down the mountain with a stupid grin on my face.
The Photo above is of the surrounding mountains in the James Peak Wilderness (about an hour outside of Denver) from my lunch perch on top of a smaller peak. It was an epic hike, with the downhill being the highlight of the trek. All in all it was 8 miles that felt more like 12+. I would definitely hike this again but may have to wait about 2 months for all of the snow melt to be less of a nuisance. There are multiple lakes in the region and I can only assume that they will be perfect for some backcountry fishing come June and July. The actual location for this hike is great as well as you can attempt to win back all the gas money spent on your way back to Denver passing through Blackhawk. (I made 70...so I was pretty stoked) Then I realized that the money was most likely already spent on bills (Then I was less stoked).
A few more pics below:
This is probably the only time I knew where I was going, so it was picture worthy.
And one with my ugly mug in it.
