Yesterday's activity was a bucket list item for Dave. We had walked the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and Colorado Trail back in 2018. We had started from the same parking lot but went south. This time we went north. We really prepared ourselves, planned our snacks/liquids/lunch and packed everything carefully. We had the right clothes and walking shoes on, hats, sunglasses, walking, Dave had his camera and tripod. We read that at noon the shuttle for anyone hiking the CDT can either hitch a ride into Lake City, or be dropped off at Spring Creek Pass (our starting point). This pass is where the Continental Divide crosses over Route 149, near Slumgullion Pass.
We waited until 12:10, no shuttle (wanted to get quick pics of hikers). Nothing. We talked to 4 men who just came down and asked how they did - they made it to the meadow in 1 1/2 hours, rested, then came down. Down trek they said was quick - just half an hour. Okay, doable - we could do this. They said at 1.2 niles up the trail opens into a wide meadow where you would see vista views of mountains in every direction. We thought - great - sounds like a nice lunch spot.
Our first Oh-Boy was the start of the trail was washed out - had to climb way up and then back down to get to the trailhead. We started out at elevation 10,898 and at lunch - 2 1/2 hours later and only 3/4 mile done - we were at 11,294. Kicked out butts. Walk 20 steps, stop, catch our breath, walk 30, stop, walk 20, etc. Up and up we climbed.
Magnificent views. They were right. At our lunch stop (how appropriate - someone carved CDT into a log which we sat on). we talked with a couple coming down and they said - we have another 3/4 mile to go. Rut-roh. According to Dave's walking meter, we were already at 3/4 mile. Huh?? Our energy level was at zero. So, we decided that after eating lunch, drinking, that we had to get back down, so we decided to abort the meadow, turn around and head down. But, we said that we did Dave's goal - he wanted to walk the CDT for a bit. He's very happy. Elevation was very tough. Wasn't quite so hard (later learned that the trail is rated strenuous - no kidding!) but gut wrenching for catching your breath. Sad to see the devastation from the beetle bark infestation - so many evergreens dead.
We calculated when we got back to the cabin that we did the equivalent of going up to the top of Erieview Plaza (for those people who are from Cleveland - it's 100 Erieview in downtown Cleveland). 40 stories. Elevation gain was just 400 feet but we had many OH-BOY experiences. Every time we climbed up and could see ahead of us, an OH-BOY showed - more steep climbing. Walk, stop - breathe in, breathe out, walk, etc. Glad we had our walking sticks to help. And my knee did good (I have a left torn meniscus), did not bother me going up but coming down, yep. We celebrated when we saw MT Goat sitting in the parking lot waiting for us.
Slumgullion Pass - 10,898 ft Continental Divide Trail
Creede, Co 8,914ft
Denver, Co 5,276 ft
N Glen Hollow Pl (Oro Valley) AZ approx 3,000 ft
Chandler, AZ 1,211 ft
Cleveland, OH 653 ft Columbus, OH 791 ft
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