Some of the hikers had an early start. Three of the twelve camped at the community center last night got out before us.
Yesterday a kind local drove us around and showed us the trail head. This morning we had breakfast and started out. Did not stop at the one open place for hot chocolate.
The bypass was pleasant.
Though the reminder of the huge fire a few years ago was stark.
As we started west on the CDT we met a trail crew.
They were doing maintenance.
We hiked on.
Eventually we reached the road, and after a roadwalk started back on the trail.
I should have taken a picture of the crosswalk. It perplexes a lot of drivers.
We climbed and climbed.
Win started to feel the altitude.
We set up and rested for two hours.
That confirmed it for us. Time to take a one or two week break and then decide. Outside of Colorado the trail stays at altitudes that we are good with.
We hiked back to the trail head.
A forest ranger ran our identification and checked us for weapons. Then he gave us a ride back to the community center in Grand Lake.
We were able to find a shuttle and get railroad tickets.
Then we went out to dinner with other hikers.
We will return for the wedding, hike from Glacier and hit GenCon, then continue on the trail.
The big decision is whether to roadwalk Colorado at lower elevations or try something else. I’m agnostic about that, but really want Happy taken care of