Only Colorado Things – The Trek

Another state below, and this was wonderful. Colorado was full of friends, family and love. Our native state welcomed us with open arms and beautiful alpine hiking. Here are some thoughts/ideas/favorites of our time in Colorado!

Description of three words:

Britt: heart, home, healing

Devin: Sunny, steep, impressive

Reproduction list:

• Head full of doubt/ road full of promises: the Avett brothers
• Annie-fruition mountain
• Porchswing-caamp
• Lucky son- Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Home- Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Ceros
• Before the Sol-Gregory Alan Isakov
• Real Love, Father John Misty
• Tomorrow- Shakey Graves
• A long time ago, Mr. Huron
• Wild World Cup- Yusuf/ Cat Stevens
• Love is everything, the tallest man on earth

Emojis:

• Alces 🫎
• Pine 🌲
• 🌼
• Love 🥰
• Mosquitoes 🦟

Favorite snacks:

Britt:

• Mini Oreos
• Chew honey sting
• Anything salty and crunchy

Devin:

Magic Fav Trail:

Britt + Devin: The endless friends and family who made their section easier than it should have been. His help with packages and spending time together were essential for our success.

Honor mention: ice cream and beer in Herman Gulch. Just when we left parking, a woman approached and offered us some beer. We have two delicious IPA to take a sip before directing the path. So, she returned with two ice cream cones! The combo was perfect on a hot and much appreciated afternoon!

Favorite Day:

Britt: Day 63- The Zirkel circle! While this path is not technically on the CDT, we take it as an alternative/ diversion to compensate some miles lost from Buff Pass to Seedhouse Road. This path is my family’s favorite since we live in North Routt. When the crest cried between the two valleys, I was overwhelmed by the gratitude of being there. The family view of Big Agnes and Mount Zirkel that rises on Gilpin Lake greeted me as a warm hug. It was so special to be able to share it with Devin. He also included a summit of Mount Zirkel and met with me at Lake Gilpin. We both take a dip in the cold lake before going down.

Devin: Summing Grays Peak. It was the culminating point of the path and the impressive views all the time. Then we finished the day with a beer in a micro brewery … Class Co Day.

Less favorite day:

Britt: Day 35- Our first day at Snowy South San Juan. This day was quite shock for me, and my concerns for the section realized. The physicality of post-holing in the snow to the waist demanded a complete mental presence through each step. Going to a mile could take us more than an hour. It was incredibly difficult, and was not ready for brutality. This day many tears spilled, and I felt that I shouldn’t have been there.

Devin: The section that entered the Santa Cruz desert. There was more snow that was dangerous on the north side routes and not as many views as I would have liked.

Best camping place:

Britt: Up on the crest with Mount Harvard to the South. We had a significant amount of elevation in a shorter amount of miles this day and the last rise prior to the camp was steep. The view from the top was impressive and made it worth pain day! We established the camp in the shadow of some pines with an impressive view of a few 14ers. Mount Harvard was at the forefront of his glory! We arrived at the camp quite early and had the whole afternoon and night to enjoy it.

Devin: campaigning with an ice cream on Blue Lake. There were very few places to put a tent without snow. However, we find one with view to the entire lake that was dry and had access to frozen water that flows. We arrived early, so I had to spend a significant amount of time where I learned that night how to make my water filter work with Gravuty. Game changer.

Worst Camp Spot:

Britt + Devin: Dumont Lake: the site itself was peaceful and quite close to the entrance of the lake, but we were in the hell of mosquitoes! As soon as we drop our packages, a cloud of them invaded us. Setting the store quickly became a survival mode. It was our fastest configuration when we throw everything, including ourselves inside and took refuge. We were trapped in the store while thousands of them made fun of the mesh waiting for us. The buzz still pursues our dreams.

Favorite city stop:

Britt: steamboat. It was incredibly special to stop in my hometown in this through. I have not returned in several years, and the nostalgia and familiarity of everything wrapped me. Steamboat in the summer is magical and we spend our zero day (and Devin’s birthday) in all the classic places of Steamboat.

Devin: Grand Lake. We have to spend it eating homemade foods and enjoying water. It was a necessary break after a long section from Brekenridge.

Minimum Parade of the Favorite City:

Britt: I don’t have one! All were wonderful for different reasons.

Devin: South Fork. It was the commemorative and very busy weekend. It is not the best store or pizza view too.

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