Early Season Timeline

Start Day: June 20th

Finish Day: July 24th

Total Days: 35

Average Pace: 14.7 miles per day

Zero Days: 2

Days Camped Alone: 7

Bear Sightings: 0

 

Trail Notes

Mile 17 – South Platte River Trailhead

Tuesday, June 20th

We decided to start our hike on June 20th starting from Waterton Canyon and heading Southbound (SOBO). The Colorado Trail Foundation recommends not starting until July 1st to avoid the snow but we could not start that late because of a tight schedule. 

The first 6 miles of Waterton Canyon were a piece of cake. They were flat, shaded and easy. After Lenny’s Rest the trail climbed and became more remote. At mile 17, the trail meet the South Platte River. We camped at a sunny campsite before the river. There was a camp restroom at the trailhead with extra toilet paper that other travelers had left. At 8PM we fell into such a deep sleep that a bear could have attacked and not woken us up.

At the trailhead we met another couple who was already ending their Colorado Trail thru-hike because of blisters. They called them blisters the “size of Texas.”

How to Prevent Blisters while Hiking

Lesson learned: Set the tent up in the shade. Otherwise the sun will turn the tent into an oven.

Mile 34 – Tramway Creek

Wednesday, June 21st

Segment 2 was brutally hot. We thought if we woke up early we could beat the burning heat of the scorched landscape. Nope. We should have loaded up on more water at the Platte. There is a fire station near the trail that lets hikers fill up their water bottles if they run low at the end of the segment. 

There we found our first Trail Angel gift. Trail Angels are people who help hikers by leaving food or driving them to trailheads.  Near the fire station spigot there was a cooler with Gatorade and chips. People are truly amazing. 

We ate lunch at the start of segment 3. It was a nice trailhead with a restroom. We felt like our feet were revolting against us and we could not take another step but sure enough we made it 17 miles. 

Mile 47.5 – Headwaters of Craig Creek

Thursday, June 22nd

We experienced our first hard climb. We only made it 13.5 miles because I was feeling sick. My stomach was not used to the dehydrated meals and surgery food we were eating. The campsite was at the top of the climb and not in the data book. It was a huge secluded area and one of my favorite campsites. We woke up in the night and were rewarded with an amazing view of the milky way.

Mile 65.5 – Johnson Creek

Friday, June 23rd

I woke up feeling much better. The weather turned to a dense fog which made the trail ominous. In a meadow we spotted a moose and her baby drinking from the creek. We watched them for a few minutes before they scurried away.

Johnson Creek is in the middle of a cow pasture. We did not know that until we woke up from a nap surrounded by cows. Most people think cows made cute “mooing” noises but they actually sound like demonic rhinos grunting in pain. It is terrifying. We should have known because of all the landmines we had to avoid. My legs feel like they are getting used to the hiking even though they are screaming at the end of every day.

Mile 78 – Jefferson Creek

Saturday, June 24th

We hitchhiked into Fairplay today with the nicest person ever. Some people have a bad opinion of hitchhiking but is was so fun. He took us to a grocery store (20 miles) and waited for us to stock up on food/supplies and then cooked us burgers and played guitar. It was completely unexpected how generous of a person he was. He even gave us a $20 bill for any emergencies we might have.

How to Hitch Hike while Backpacking

Mile 91 – North Fork Swan River

Saturday, June 25th

Kenosha pass was easy was much easier than expected. We arrived at camp at 3:00 and now know that we can take it much harder. We spent the rest of the day reading and stretching. Tomorrow we are taking a break in Breckenridge.

Mile 104 – Breckenridge

Monday, June 26th – Tuesday, June 27th

In Breckenridge we stayed at a hostel called the BIVVI. It is less of a hostel and more of a luxury communal hotel. I cannot recommend the Bivvi enough. The staff was great, there was an open bar with happy hour, and an outdoor hot tub with a great view of their three local foxes. The free breakfast is to die for. The staff even packed some extra homemade granola for us to take on the trail.

Use Colorado Trail promo code: “HikeCO” to get a Bivvi bunk for $29.99. In the winter some of the bunks can go for $200.

We stayed an extra day in Breckenridge to rest up and grab extra supplies. We sent home our headlamps because we fall asleep before it gets dark so they were unused.

Mile 122 – Guller Creek

Wednesday, June 28th

We hit our first decent amount of snow after Breckenridge. We bought hiking poles and they made such a difference going over the pass. They added a lot of stability and made it easier on our knees going downhill. We hiked into Copper and made lunch in the main village. It was funny using the canister stove in the village with people staring at us. The new hiking poles made such a difference going over the pass. We hit a lot of snow and it really helped to have the added stability of the poles. We camped with two new friends. 

A porcupine terrorized us in the night. I woke up with him in my tent’s vestibule eating my backpack. He didn’t seem to want any food, just the saltiness of our hiking gear. In the morning we surveyed the damage the little menace did. Overall he ate through the shoulder straps of mine and our new friend’s backpacks. We considered hiking back to Copper and getting a replacement but ended up making a makeshift strap out of utility cord (And we hiked the rest of the trail with it).

Mile 139 – Fiddler Creek

Thursday, June 29th

Today was hard and uneventful. We have met up with a lot of new people. Some are new college grads, some are single women, and some have furry wolf dogs and its great to hear about everyone experience so far.

Mile 160 – Mt. Massive Wilderness Area

Friday, June 30th

First 20 miles day. We am dead. Especially there was a huge uphill climb at the end of the day. We are camping with our new friends again. The best part of the day was they were waiting for us with beer. Someone gave them beer in the trailhead parking lot and they hauled it all the way up for us. You really do meet the nicest people out here. It is nice to have camp buddies to meet up with every night. 

Mile 176 – Twin Lakes

Saturday, July 1st

We made it to Twin Lakes. It is smaller than expected. I was greeted by a man shot gunning a beer outside the general store. His son asked him how he drank it so fast and he responded by saying he poked a hole in the side and then they both drove away. It is a very interesting town. 

We drank a bunch of beer and ate Doritos and ice cream. Still don’t know where we are going to stay tonight. I am sure we will figure it out. It is difficult because there is a wedding in town and everything is booked.

We hitched 6 miles with a few girls that just finished hiking a 14ner and ended up staying in an RV at the WinMar. The motel was booked but they said we could rent out their old RV for $12 each. The RV shower was heaven and the owners were so kind. We ended up to joining the owners for some BBQ ribs and sat around a bonfire with them. I cannot recommend the WinMar enough for thru-hikers looking for a play to stay in Twin City. They also rent out campsites for people just looking for a place to stay with a shower. 

Mile 197 – Pine Creek

Sunday, July 2nd

The sweet lady who owned the Win Mar drove us to the trail after we ate the delicious continental breakfast. I found a capri sun to use as a scopula for filtering water. I honestly believe they lost money by housing us because they gave us so much.

Our gang is increasing in size. We are now up to 6 people camping together. Earlier I gave my bug spray to some bike-packers in need. I hope I don’t regret that.

Mile 216 – Middle Cottonwood Creek

Monday, July 3rd

We now have a crew of 7-8 trail friends. The people are the best part of the trip. Everyone has such unique stories and motivations for hiking the CT. At the trailhead a day-hiker who looked exactly like Shawn White gave us a massive bag of trail mix and extra mountain houses. Bless his heart. 

Mile 232 – Chalk Creek Trailhead

Tuesday, July 4th

We made it to Mount Princeton Hot Springs. You could go to the bathhouse and pay $3 for a shower but we accidentally went to the spa and they let us shower for free in the luxury area.  Since it was Forth of July the resort was giving away free burgers. The chief even gave us some extra candy for our hungry hiker stomachs.

Our group has grown to 9. All together we camped at Chalk Creek Trailhead and enjoyed a holiday campfire. All 9 of us played spoons (sticks) at the picnic table and drank beer and fireball. No fireworks but it was a great night.

Mile 247 – Angel of Shavano Trailhead

Wednesday, July 5th

Most of the groups are now going different speeds. Some are on a time restraint and need to finish soon while others want to go slower.

Mile 252 – Salida

Thursday, July 6th

We hitchhiked into Salida and immediately stopped for burritos (I was craving Mexican food for the past week).

We booked a night at the Simple Hostel and it was disappointing. The staff wasn’t there until 2:00 and they didn’t tell us anything. They were too focused on a friend’s birthday party to tell us the door code or where to sleep. It was hard going from the glamor of the Bivvi to the sweaty heat of the Simple.

Mile 266 – Marshall Pass

Friday, July 7th

We hitched to the trail with an ex-army lady on her way to pick up a horse in Idaho. Everyone is telling us that beautiful views are coming up. It was a short day for us. We met a grandma and her grandson llama packing. The llamas were ugly but a cool way of hiking. They walk slower but they will carry the gear. 

Mile 278.5 – Tank Seven Creek

Saturday, July 8th

We hiked a short easy day. We got into camp at 1:30 and a bunch of other people rolled up. Some were Continental Divide Trail (CDT) hikers heading toward Canada and others were bike-packers doing 38 miles a day. Incredible. It started raining hard at dinner. Somehow we have avoided rain for almost 300 miles so we deserved it. 

Mile 292.5 – Razor Creek

Sunday, July 9th

We woke up to a cold morning. The tent was still wet from the rain. We easily hiked 10 miles and then detoured to Baldy’s Lake to fill up on water because Razor Creek is rumored to be gross. It was actually a clear creek but I am glad we went to Baldy’s Lake. The only problem was the creek was filled with mosquitoes. We spent most of the afternoon hiding in the tent from them. I wished I hadn’t given away my bug spray. 

Mile 302.5 – Gunnison

Monday, July 10th

The hitchhike into Gunnision was difficult. It is not a busy highway and most of the people that drove by were truckers. After an hour of waiting a man picked us up in his old pickup. We sat on a pile of trash but we couldn’t have been more thankful for driving us 40 miles. The Wonderlust Hostel was a dream. The shower was heaven like I have never felt it before. They were so kind and we booked a private room for less than two bunks. They gave us bikes so we went to subway and ate our hearts out. We bought a Digiorno’s pizza and some beer and we watched the office with the other hikers in the hostel. To end the night we biked to Sonic to get ice cream.

Mile 302.5 – Crested Butte

Tuesday, July 11th

We decided to take a zero and take the free bus to Crested Butte. Great decision. The bus picked us up and dropped us off right next to the hostel. The festival of wildflowers was going on in CB and we went on an amazing hike. We ate Secret Stash pizza and walked to Third Scoop Ice Cream.

Mile 314 – Apple’s Dome

Wednesday, July 12th

A Trail Angel named “Apple” came to the hostel to take us to the trail. He drove 40 miles and did not accept any money. The best part was his campsite he setup 12 miles down the trail. It was a storm dome stocked with donuts, popcorn, and Starbucks iced coffee. A nearby RV camper invited us to eat with him and his 7 dogs. He grilled us burgers and beans with chips, juice, and otter pops. Everyone is so kind. We ate dinner around his campfire until it started raining. We ended the day with a huge complete double rainbow above the meadow.

Mile 330 – Nutras Creek

Thursday, July 13th

Afternoon showers are now a usual occasion. We are drying out our gear and feet everyday during lunch. 

Mile 346.5 – Middle Mineral Creek

Friday, July 14th

Today was rough. We woke up to a beautiful sunny day but we had to pack the tent up still wet. Then it started to rain. And it really started to rain. In our ponchos we looked like blueberry and a watermelon. Together we make a great fruity team.

After crossing the continental divide, we were rewarded with an amazing view of the San Juans and had a stare-down with a marmot. Right as we climbed over the last peak the sun came out. It was a miracle setting up the tent in the sunlight before it started raining again.

We met up with a hiker we met the first week. We thought that we were never going to see her again. It is funny how some people come in and out of our lives.

Mile 357.5 – Lake City

Saturday, July 15th

We climbed through tunnels of columbines and paint brushes (I named the climb of Fire and Ice). At the top of the mesa it seemed like a new world. It was flat and is seemed like a prairie without trees. Near the end we met a man on a day hike with his dog and he offered us a drive into Lake City. It was more convenient than waiting for the shuttle. (The free shuttle leaves from Lake City at noon and leaves from the trailhead at 12:30 everyday).

We stayed at a hostel called Raven’s Rest. Lucky, the owner, has converted the building behind his house into a hostel. It has a homey feel to it and the kids will sometimes make breakfast for hikers with the eggs from their chickens (Tractor, Hockey, Curious Girl, and Fluffy). 

Mile 366 – The Yurt

Sunday , July 16th

We hitch hiked back to the trail with the owner of the Lake City movie theater. He was easy to talk to and very kind. The poor guy was bombarded by hikers wanted a hitch back to town at the trailhead.

There is a “Friend of the Colorado Trail” Yurt off the trail at mile 366. We made it to the Yurt and so did 11 other people so it was a party. It was so great hanging out with new friends and enjoying the view. It was a little too crowded for us so we camped outside. 

Mile 380 – Cataract Lake

Monday , July 17th

It rained so brutally hard today. Our fingers were so cold that it was difficult to set up the tent when we reached Cataract Lake. Next time we will try to set up the rainfly first so the inside doesn’t get so wet. Once the rain died down we looked of our tent to see a deer eating the grass 5 feet from us. There is also a marmot colony nearby screeching warnings to stay away. 

Mile 397.5 – Elk Creek

Tuesday , July 18th

This is easily the best segment on the Colorado Trail. Everyone should came at Elk Creek. At lunch we set up the rainfly and footprint into a shelter and avoided most of the storm. Near stoney pass there is the area where the data book picture was taken but we missed the opportunity. There is a much more incredible area after it. There is an amazing view of elk lake and creek with the cliffs to the left. We enjoyed the view while walking town what seemed like thousands of switchbacks. 

We camped next to an old, dilapidated mining shack with a view of the waterfall from our tent. This is the area that I want to come back to after we complete the thru-hike.

Mile 410.7 – Silverton

Wednesday , July 19th

We made it to Silverton. That last segment was absolutely beautiful but it was frustrating coming into town. We could see the highway but then the switchback would take us farther away. Finally we made it to Molas Pass and a little Costa Rican girl picked us up. When she dropped us off she almost took off with our gear. I had to run the car down and get her to open the trunk.

The Blair Street Hostel looked like it had great private rooms but the bunk room seemed nasty. The owner also seemed creepy and on hard drugs. We would rather sleep in our tent so we camped out at the Silverton Lakes RV Resort. The RV park was farther away than we expected but it was worth it. It had showers and laundry and a small convince store. We owners loved hearing about our hike and offered to drive us back to the trailhead in the morning.

While in Silverton I took a phone interview which went great (I ended up taking the job). We celebrated with beer and pizza at Avalanche.

Mile 425 – Cascade Creek

Thursday , July 20th

The owners of the RV park drove us to the trailhead in the morning and we met back up with our friends who stayed the night at Molas Pass. The rain is hitting hard now. At one point it turned to hail and we had to take shelter under a tree for an hour for it to pass.

Cascase Creek is a fantastic campsite. Make sure you walk downstream to see the waterfalls.

Mile 440 – Straight Creek

Friday , July 21st

There were some really close lightning strikes today. We hiked off the trial to lower elevation and set up the rainfly and footprint as a shelter to wait out the storm. 

Mile 455 – Scenic Lookout

Saturday , July 22nd

Today was fast and hard. Somehow we hiked 10 miles in 3 hours. I didn’t notice how fast we were going until my legs started throbbing. We stopped for an M&M break and dry out the tent. My hiker hunger is in full force. I seem to continuously be thinking about the next food I can eat.

The water we picked up was light brown after we filtered it so we called it Chardonnay. We found a great campsite at a scenic overlook. It started to rain hard right as we got in the tent. I had the best 2 hour nap of my life.

Mile 470 – Junction Creek

Sunday , July 23rd

Last campsite.

We slept in until 6:30. A bike-packer gave us two mountain houses because he was finishing early.

The Colorado Trail Bike Race started today and it was fun watching them. It made the day go by so much faster. When we sat down for lunch a bunch of the racers came over to filter their water. It seemed like most of them were here to complete not compete.

We arrived at camp around 2:30 just before it started to rain. We are getting good at avoiding the storms. After some podcasts we cooked the stir fry mountain house the bike-packer gave to us as a pre dinner meal. 

Mile 485 – Durango

Monday , July 24th

We did it. I had my doubts at the beginning be we did it. It felt unreal walking the last few miles and seeing the day hikers from Durango. So many of them were excited for us and congratulated us. Only little boy was amazed and said he was just joking about walking to Denver.

When we made it to the final trailhead everyone was so kind. A random man in the parking lot gave us a celebration beer. Then a family stopped by and gave us more beer. We were getting tipsy at the trailhead.

In Durango we went straight to Carvers. They give all CT completers a free beer and T-shirt. It is a great marketing scheme for them because they know that hikers order enough food to feed a family when they come into town. 

It was amazing adventure and something I am proud to cross off my bucket list.