Day 1
Mile Marker 0 to 14.5 (14.5 miles)
The face of excitement
July 8th, 2022
Yesterday I arrived in Durango, Colorado. Funny enough my layover was in Denver, bought coffee at the airport, and the flight to Durango was so quick I didn't even have enough time to finish it.
Today I start the journey back to Denver, by way of foot, via the magnificent Colorado Trail, and it will take me a good 4 weeks.
It is hot here in Durango. I expected a bit cooler weather compared to Lake Tahoe, where I had just finished the Tahoe Rim Trail. Upon arriving in town, I entered into thru hiker mode. I dropped off my pack at the motel, ate late lunch at Zia Taqueria (so good!), checked in and got settled in the motel, walked to the grocery, grabbed a takeout dinner at Animas Brewery for dinner (not good), watched movies on the tube, and rested my body on the bed till I fell asleep.
The next day I packed. Oh yeah, my pretty heavy pack. I have planned on skipping Silverton and going all the way to Lake City. That's 128 miles of big elevation gain! Reason many hikers go SoBo (southbound) is because the hardest part is near the end. Now I'm packing about 7 days of food in this section. Ouch!
Getting to the trailhead was a breeze thanks to Fiddle, a PCT alumni I met on the Tahoe Rim Trail just a week ago. So cool! She gave me a ride and thus became my first trail angel on the Colorado Trail. Yay! Thanks Fiddle!
Fiddle taking me to the start of her favorite trail
Eating my first Pro-Bar on the CT to get ready for the climb
2.8 miles in at Junction Creek
As with starting any new trail, I always have that bit of nervousness on the first day. The "What ifs." I just have to tell myself that I've done this before, and that everything is good.
The only time I saw a horse on trail
Steady trail going up
My body has fully recovered from the Tahoe Rim Trail since the Oregon Coast Trail section we did was fairly easy. However, with such a heavy pack, I could definitely feel it on day one, especially on my shoulders. I don't weigh my pack but I estimate it weighed at least 35 lbs. First day was 2,600ft in elevation gain to the top of the climb so it wasn't easy. As I hiked, all I could think of was the need to eat as much as I can. Perhaps hiker hunger will kick in at some point.
Top of the climb, 2,500 ft up from the trailhead
Finally going downhill with some cool rock formations
The first day ended at Junction Creek, where I chatted with some SoBo thru hikers. It is their last night on the trail and very excited to finish. It was nice to have some people in camp. After dinner, it was time to retire into my wonderful tent. I look forward to tomorrow.
Camp for the night at Junction Creek