One week in and we've experienced more extreme weather than I ever saw on the Appalachian Trail. Colorado is like a whole new world that I never knew existed. Here is a quick recap of what has happened so far:
Day -1: Roxy and I took an alternate start trail to avoid a "no dog" zone. It was a great plan until we accidentally followed a fellow hiker + dog down the wrong path. Luckily it was a loop trail so instead of doing the 4 mile intended track, we did the 8 mile detour. Getting lost on day one was definitely an exciting way to start.
Day 1: this was our official start on the Colorado Trail, we met up with Susy and hiked about 16 miles to the South Platte River. Camping was limited so we shared a site with 5 other people. We already received trail magic from Bob the mountain biker. He gave us a big bag of fresh juicy cherries right when we were dying of thirst. A perfect suprise to keep spirits up! Colorado weather is crazy and we were hiking in 90° heat for most of the day.
Day 2: Did I mention the weather here is crazy? Today's surprise was golfball-sized hail pelting down on our tents at 5pm. Luckily we were safe and covered so it was an exciting day.
Day 3: slow and uneventful. The heat is oppressive and I end up carrying Roxy's pack for her.
Day 4: our meteorological skills failed us today and we ended up getting caught in a hail storm on top of a mountain with very little shelter. Poor Roxy tried to hide under a fallen log while Susy and I huddled beneath a skimpy pine tree. We eventually gave up on waiting out to the storm and sprinted several miles over thr ridge in the storm. Good news: no one died and everything else will seem easy now.
Day 5: we had a short 10 mile hike back to our car. Although short, the hike provided us with scenic panoramas of the Colorado mountains. After reaching the car we drove to a biker bar in the mountains and enjoyed massive burgers on their outdoor patio. Then we drove to Dexter's Point and camped beside a mountain Lake.
Day 6: today! We are taking a zero day (no hiking) in Breckenridge. Our hostel is amazing and we got in early enough to run all of our errands. Zero days are usually more work than hiking days because we have to catch up on real life. I've spent the morning paying bills, applying to a graduate program at Marian university, scheduling an interview, answering emails, doing laundry and assuring my mother I am still alive.
Although it has only been a few days I already feel exponentially refreshed and revived. Based on the crazy weather, new plants and animals, challenging climbs and epic panoramas, I know that Colorado will continue to surprise me every day.
*the blogger app won't let me caption photos or integrate them into the body of a post so check out my facebook page for an album full of photos from the hike so far.
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