Day 11: August 21
Shortly after enjoying a delicious breakfast at a little café down the street from the hostel, Slipper and Songbird arrived for a happy reunion of the Chicas, Slippers affectionate name for the 3 of us. Songbird’s husband, Jeff graciously chauffeured us to the start of Segment 8 at Copper Mountain before embarking on his own travel adventure.
We soon were hiking through some fantastic scenery!
Highlight today was the hike up and over Kokomo Pass where besides breathtaking views, we encountered a Pika (small mountain mammal), brief hail followed by an amazing rainbow and finally sheep above our campsite just the other side of the pass. 12.9 miles today
Day 12: August 22
Happy birthday to me! Slipper had brought some of her delicious oatmeal bars for a birthday treat! So thoughtful and sweet! I turned 64 today and we hiked 15.7 miles. Not bad for this old gal! Geez, I’m the oldest Chica, though not ready for the rocking chair yet!
Day 13: August 23
Might rethink my rocking chair comment from yesterday! Bonked today! Struggled on the climbs and just hiking. When something goes wrong or not quite right, we have all been blaming the elevation, so that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Nothing at all to do with yesterdays annual rite of passage but possibly related to yesterdays mileage! Probably need to eat more too….just not had much appetite. Dang elevation! Geez, I’m hiking in beautiful Colorado with great friends and seeing some amazing sights! Grateful! 11.2 miles today
Day 14: August 24
Mount Elbert came into view today! Colorado’s tallest peak and the 2nd tallest mountain in the continental United States, 2nd only to Mount Whitney in the Sierras. I had hoped to hike up and Songbird expressed interest too. Her friends hiking the JMT had sent her a selfie from the summit of Mt. W and not to be outdone she wanted to reciprocate with one from Mount E. We were on a tight schedule since Slipper only had a week off work, so Songbird and I thought we might come back later and give it a go. Spoiler….unfortunately didn’t happen since we traveled too far south to make it feasible to get back to the trailhead. Next time!
We had a great campsite near Halfmoon Creek and I was visited by a cute, but fearless little Pine Marten while erecting my tent. Guthooks App. mentioned a trash can 1/2 mile away at a closed campsite and Songbird kindly ran there and back to dispose of our trash. 12.1 miles today
Day 15: August 25
Interesting change of scenery today as we steeply descended through groves of Aspen trees and down to Twin Lakes. The arid landscape around the Lakes reminded me of the Arizona desert and felt as hot. I loved it! We stopped at a picnic table for an hour or so and swam in the lake! Cold but so refreshing once you took the plunge. Rinsed out some clothing and everything dried within minutes in the heat. Chatted with impressive Pooh Bear, sectioning the CDT and a triple crowner. We camped at a dispersed camping area near the dam. 12 miles today
Day 16: August 26
The trail followed the lake on the opposite side until the split between the Collegiate East and West route. The Western route is at much higher elevation but I imagine must be magnificent. Some hikers hike the East and West as a loop. Hmm…..added to the hiking wish list! We were following the Eastern route and it pulled away from the lake. Hiked for a short time with Moose and his Mom. Moose thru-hiked the trail last year and now he and his Mom were day hiking. We learned he was an actor and playing the lead role in a stage version of Elf next Christmas in a town not too far from where Songbird lives. Love meeting and hearing the stories of fellow hikers!
We ended the day at Clear Creek Rd and a sweet camp site next to the Creek. The original plan called for Jeff to pick us up tomorrow and he and Slipper would fly to their respective homes on Sunday while Songbird and I continued on. We still had segment 12 to hike which had the reputation of being a difficult 18 miles. I knew I couldn’t and didn’t want to hike such high mileage in one day and though Songbird certainly had the stamina for it, was not eager either. Slipper was determined to get it done and formulated a plan. Songbird called Jeff and he agreed to pick her and I up at our current location tomorrow while Slipper slackpacked segment 12. We would pack her gear up and pick her up on the other side. Plans were firmed up and the Chicas enjoyed the last night on the trail together! 10 miles today
Day 17: August 27
Slipper left camp at dawn and Songbird and I enjoyed a leisurely morning, drinking coffee, packing up gear and chatting with other hikers. We met Corey who had started his Collegiate Loop hike the previous day and suffered an unfortunate accident. He had slipped and twisted his ankle which was now horribly swollen. To add insult to injury his bear spray had deployed during the fall giving himself a nasty dose of bear deterrent. He was still very upbeat and hoped to continue but decided to hitch a ride with us into Buena Vista to tend to the ankle.
Jeff picked us up and we dropped Corey in Buena Vista and then enjoyed a great lunch downtown. We headed over to pick up Slipper but unfortunately the road became impassable a mile before the trail head. Songbird ran to meet Slipper and they soon arrived for the high fives. Slipper is a hiking beast! Incredible 19 mile hike and with a painful knee condition! We drove 20-30 miles south for an overnight motel stay in the lovely town of Salida.
Nemophilist Hikes 