The forecast was ambiguous and there were rooms finally available in Twin Lakes but we decided to hike on. Two days to Leadville and we were on the red line on forest service land just past the development that is trying to close out the trail.
We got started around 6:00 am after waiting out a spattering of rain. We then started hiking uphill.
Yesterday it was all uphill. About 1,400 feet but steady the entire way. Another 800 feet up climbing out of town.
Today we had around four thousand feet of ascent but that included downs.
We are camped at 10,405, but started at about 9,300 and got all the way to over 11,000 feet.
We saw a lot of people today. The weekend had people headed up to the mountain peaks and doing the trail between cross roads. Everyone from teens to an old guy in a back brace with a dog that looked twenty years old.
We stopped briefly at 1:00 or so and set up the tent to take a nap in the rain. It was light where we stopped but further up the trail we could see where there had been a deluge.
It was a great stop at mile 14 and a good nap. We then packed up and headed for our goal, a campsite just before a dirt road.
On the way we met Turtle who we had run into on the PCT.
We also met a hiker who was “at last” trying to start the CDT and doing about a mile an hour.
We offered her space at our campsite but she wanted to press on SOBO. The next good camping was 4-5 miles away (where we took our break) though she hoped to find something before then.
The rain started up so we just snacked instead of cooking a meal.
With the holidays coming up, getting rooms looks tight. Luckily showers, laundry and resupply looks good. We need three days to the next town.
Ideally we will get a zero but may not find anything. We had a good day going out of Twin Lakes.
Colorado is now more than half done. That is neat.
No cell service so this entry will also cover July 1 as we head to Leadville.
We may end up hiking in the rain. The forecast has possible rain all day tomorrow.
We do want to make town for dinner tomorrow. We have some shopping to do.
I’m hoping for a new sun hoody as my current one is pretty worn out. Patched together with sweat and tenacious tape.
Now July 1. It rained for hours. More rain for today.
There was a road just below the ridge. It runs straight to Leadville.
We are at a hostel now.
??
Coming into the hostel I was 169 fully dressed. After a full day’s town food I’m up to 175 fully dressed.
Back on trail tomorrow.