Colorado Trail - Day 3

August 14, 2017
Camped 64.5 (21.6) 9551'

I got going about 7:30. Four women from Quebec were camping near where the trail crosses a creek. I said hi but one had her pants down so I turned and waited for the ok to proceed. I don't understand why someone would take care of business right next to where the trail crosses a creek.

After that was the day's big climb. At the top I met Larry. We ended up hiking together for many miles until he stopped for the day. We saw the Quebec women a few times too.

Next I met Berno, from Germany. He and his girlfriend have been adventuring this year. They did the Hayduke, GDT, Alaska, Banff, etc. His girlfriend had to go back to Germany for a bit so now he's here on the CT. He was sitting next to the trail when I met him. He asked if I was Russ. Yes, how did you know? I think Gabby and Steve mentioned me as he saw them this morning. Or maybe Larry, as we said goodbye not too far back.

Berno and I ended up camping together tonight. We were going to go a bit farther, but a storm was rolling in. I got my tarp up just when it started pouring and Berno ran to his tent. It was very wet for awhile.

Camp 2

Larry

Colorado Trail - Day 2

August 13, 2017
Camped 42.9 (22.4) 9144'

Sometime last night, Gabby woke up crying because her legs hurt. Leg cramps can be painful.

I did not want to get up this morning, I felt really tired. The sunrise looked really nice from under the tarp, so I forced myself up and was on the trail about 7:15.

I stopped at the Buffalo Creek Firestation for water. I had 4G service so I posted a couple pictures on Instagram while there. I saw Steve and Gabby when I was getting back on trail after the firestation. I haven't seen them since. I didn't see any other CT hikers all day either.

I'm using the Colorado Trail app on my phone and had it all set up before I left home. For some reason, the maps stopped showing up on the app; all I see is a grid with the trail's track. A bit after the firestation, since I had 4G service, I downloaded the maps for the CT app. It took a few tries, but I got them. It's nice to have maps on the app!

There was lots of forest today and lots of cyclists, especially in segment 3. There wasn't too many views.

Sunrise from Bed

Time to get Up

Nice View While Downloading Maps

Colorado Trail - Day 1

August 12, 2017
Camped 20.5 7247'

Yesterday I flew into Denver and a friend, Conrad picked me up at the airport and hosted me for the night. We stopped at a pub for dinner and beer.

I didn't sleep well. Too much beer? I ended up with a headache most of the day.

Conrad dropped me off at the trailhead about 8:15 and I was on trail about half past. Thank you Conrad!

I saw a couple of deer early on, then a bunch of bighorn sheep, so cool.

I met lots of others starting their CT thru today. A couple, Gabby & Steve. We hiked together for several miles and we're camped at the same spot. Met another couple (Geisha & Katie) and two gals that hiked the AT last year (Hiccups & Freebee). Also met three guys that are hiking to Breckenridge.

At the start of segment 2, a thunderstorm rolled in while getting water. It was short lived. I ended up eating dinner there next to the Platte River before finishing the day.

Waterton Canyon, the Start

First Camp

GCNP - Deer Creek & Thunder River

Deer Creek Falls

In late September, I noticed on Hike Arizona (HAZ), someone advertising a couple spots for a three day backpack trip to Deer Creek and Thunder River in Grand Canyon National Park for the end of October. I was familiar with the trail from a trip there in early November, 2014. I enjoyed that trip and I knew my daughter wanted to hike the canyon again, so we signed up.