Chapter 14
@mycrazyadventurescalledlife
Day 14, July 21, 2021
Mile Marker 208.2 to 224.6 + West Collegiate Mile Marker 4.8 (21.2 miles)
"Too Close for Comfort"
Sun rising above the horizon through the aspens
As much as I dislike getting up super early in the morning, I do like starting early. I like the golden hour for photography. The same place looks completely different depending on the time of the day, or the weather, for that matter. In terms of sunrise or sunset, I prefer hiking til it is almost dark rather than starting the morning in the dark. Besides, I tend to move faster in the afternoon, when I feel like I have the most energy. Today, I started hiking as soon as there was daylight.
Heat of the sun feels good in cold mornings
It was great today because going up Windy Peak was super steep with loose rocks. The Colorado Trail in general is nothing like the PCT, where it is nicely graded. The ups can be nice at times, but for the most part it is mostly straight up. And today, it is straight up. So thank goodness I made a decision to start early.
A walk through the woods
Flowers by the seasonal stream by Headwaters Hill
Mt Ouray on the right
Upon arriving at Marshall Pass Trailhead, I noticed dark clouds already hovering on top of Mt. Ouray. It's only noon! On the way up, I stopped by a piped spring to get some water. I was planning to take a little break there but the flies were terrible. They were eating me alive as I was filtering water so I had to abandon the plan. Instead, I just ate some bars as I walked, like I usually do. I'll just take an actual break at the shelter about 3 miles away.
The view opened up once I was on the bottom of Mt. Ouray. It's so cool and I could see the thunderstorm in the distance. I'm just hoping to make it to the shelter so I can stay dry and hopeful the storm passes.
Looking north from the bottom of Mt Ouray
Rain moving East as I got close to Shelter Cabin
I made it to Shelter Cabin with no rain in sight. I took a break, probably a little too long. The clouds were hovering atop Pahlone Peak, but I could see some blue skies in the west. However, ominous clouds were fairly active just north and east of the trail, and I spent probably a good 30 mins going back and forth as to whether to push for it or wait out a bit. With the clouds staying away, I made an executive decision to go for it.
Hanging out at the shelter cabin watching the weather behind me
Lots of engraving inside the shelter
The shelter cabin is like a lean-to shelter in which it has 3 walls, a dirt floor, with a sitting bench on the open side. It's a good place to wait out bad weather, and possibly pitch a tent inside. There's a small stream nearby, so it's a good place to camp.
Pahlone Peak with ominous clouds on it
After hiking up two miles from the shelter, I could see the dark clouds changing direction, now heading towards my direction. I made it to the junction where the Colorado Trail and Collegiate West/CDT splits.
The start of the Collegiate West!
Another CT hiker for Longmont, Colorado, going SoBo, just happened to arrive at the same time and he took a photo of me at the sign. I did the same. Then it started getting dark. As I was walking away from the junction and he was doing his celebratory push-ups, lightning struck very close to us. I saw the bright light and less than a split second was the thunder. It was way too close! I ran back by the tree in panic, and then just made a split decision to continue hiking north to try to get down to a lower elevation. I moved fast!
Unfortunately the trail pretty much stayed at around the same elevation, above tree line, around 11,900 ft. A few minutes later, rain poured hard so I stopped when I saw some trees and waited it out. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes and I was able to continue hiking after.
Continued hiking after the first thunderstorm passed
When I got to Monarch Pass, I was done. I'm so glad that I made it safely.
I'm exhausted, I want to rest. I went into the Monarch Crest store, but unfortunately no hot plant-based meals (or fish and ships) to satisfy my hunger. I grabbed a can of soup and some drinks to take with me to the hostel and walked out to the highway to hitch. This could take long time.
Thankfully I got a ride from a guy on his return road trip to the East Coast. Because a few minutes later, a second thunderstorm came in. And by the time I arrived at the Monarch Mountain Lodge, it was pouring hard once again.
I picked up my resupply package and I was ready for dinner. I ordered a pizza, which honestly wasn't good at all. Perhaps the cook didn't know what to do with a pizza not having cheese. Though he could have put more tomato sauce and vegetables to make up for the lack of cheese. Oh well, it was a hot meal nonetheless.
Fortunately the rain stopped after and I went ahead and walked to the Butterfly House to rest. But more on that tomorrow.
End of Chapter 14