Day 1 Colorado Trail 16 July 2018
/I am in my tent without the rain fly as the forecast only calls for 10% chance of rain at 9pm.Even now at 7:30 pm the air is still very warm - in the upper 70’s. But there is a nice breeze blowing through the tent and it feels good on my skin - skin that has been covered in sweat for most of the day.It has been day 1 of our hike.We’ve managed to go 11.2 miles.And it feels really good to have made it this far.We are camped on top of a tree lined mountain at 7200 feet.Our campsite is right next to the trail.And it’s a dry camp which means there is no natural water source nearby.In fact we have a 5 mile hike tomorrow morning to take us to the South Platte River to filter water for the day.But for today we managed to reserve water in case we had to dry camp.And we have enough for the morning coffee as well as for the hike down. The air is so quiet.Occasionally a bird will cry out and sometimes you can hear the wind in the tall pine trees.But otherwise all is very still. I am waiting for the sun to set, for night to come and then for sleep to allow my body to rest.
We started the day at 6am, waking at the hotel. We showered, packed our gear and had a quick breakfast at the hotel. Then a shuttle drove us the 8 miles to the Colorado Trail Trailhead in Waterton Canyon. We hoisted our packs, extended our trekking poles and then walked to the sign announcing the start of the trail. We took a pause, letting the moment sink in. And then we started walking. And the trail welcomed us. And it felt really good to be hiking.
The first 6.2 miles followed a dirt road along the South Platte River. The views of the river gushing through the canyon were gorgeous. Although it was only 8:30am, the sun was already very hot. We tried to walk in the momentary shade created by the steep rocky cliffs and small groves of trees aligning the road. But after mile two, I was pretty much drenched in sweat. My new strategy to stay hydrated with good electrolyte and salt balance is to take a salt tablet and drink as much water as I can at each water source. And it seemed to be working as I was often hungry and able to eat at rest stops. I hope I can keep this up. I really don’t want another PCT experience.
At mile 6.7 we veered off from the dirt road and began to follow a single track path covered in soft dirt and brown pine needles. And then the true climb began. We continued to ascent through switchbacks. A notice at the beginning of the single track warned of recent bear activity with one bear being more aggressive with people. Apparently very recently a hiker tent had been destroyed. We had already heard reports of bear activity at a good camp site near Bear Creek at mile 8.7. Our plan was to filter water at this site but then move on. When we arrived at Bear Creek, there was no running water, only standing stagnant pools in some of the deeper trenches of the creek bed. We needed water so we filtered from this source. While it would have been nice to spend our first night at Bear Creek because the camp sites were so level and free of small rocks and twigs, we made better mileage today moving on to a campsite at mile 11.2. The climb from Bear Creek while only a little over 2 miles was steep and rocky. We found ourselves out of breath numerous times. But we did make it. Other hikers we had met on the way continued on to the end of segment 1 at mile 16.8. But we felt that we had done enough for the first day. I reminded Julie and Ed of my recent experience on this PCT - pushing to fast right at the start.
So we set up our tents, had our dinner, hung our bear bags of food. And now I am in my tent. And suddenly thunder is echoing across the sky. Maybe I should put on the rain fly after all. The air has turned cooler. I feel sleep coming on. I feel amazed at the stream of events that brought me here. And as the sun sets, the light changes the shades of trees and new shadows emerge. I am on the Colorado Trail. And I just walked 11.2 miles to this small campsite atop a small mountain filled with variations of pine and old earth. Soon darkness will overtake the available light. And soon sleep will come and then morning ushering in a new day. Day 2. And I simply cannot wait.
