Astro on CT 2023

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 6:44pm

Day 7 (cont.)
Pictures I took at the Collegiate Loop Southern Junction along with the ones one of the young women was kind enough to take.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 6:48pm

Day 7 (cont.)
Took this on the smoother hike from the junction to Monarch Crest Souvenir Shop.

I assume the carins may be for when there is snow covering the trail. This section had lots bikes and at least one dirt bike (motorcycle).

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 6:50pm

Day 7 (cont.)
A few more on the way to Monarch Crest. That sign says Fooses Creek, but there was no creek or water around.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 6:54pm

Day 7 (cont.)
Perhaps a bigger highlight than the half point at the southern junction. Real food, AC, and WiFi for 4 hours.

Then some pictures as I headed back up the trail and then look back down on the Monarch Crest Souvineer Shop and the tramway.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 7:54pm

Day 8 (7/27/23)
7.2m to Hunt Lake
Similar to what I had done in Maine on the AT, the previous night I set up my tent where I would have good views on all sides in the morning. Unfortunately I did not factor in how soft the sand was or how strong the wind would blow. At one point that night I could feel the wind blowing so hard I believe if I had gotten out my tent would have taken flight. In the morning all of my stakes were pulled (but fortunately near by). But I did get some awesome and ate my breakfast with deer grazing near by (originally thought they might have been elk).

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 7:55pm

Day 8 (cont.)
This would be my favorite picture from the entire hike.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 7:57pm

Day 8 (cont.)
Started out the day making a great time going downhill of a dirt road then realized after 0.5m I was off trail and had walk back uphill. But at least is was a road, and I got to take a picture of the neat SUV/tent setup. Next up was a ski resort. Even had a picnic table.
Quickly learned about how the Collegiate West has significantly more views in both quantity and quality from the East. Also crossed snow for the first time and saw marmots.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:08pm

Day 8 (cont.)
Amongst the view ran in some signs about Monarch Pass

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:12pm

Day 8 (cont.)
Saw some fencing materials (perhaps put up later to break the snow?). I believe the snow shown in the third and fourth pictures is what I would eventually walk over.
First marmot sighting.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:13pm

Day 8 (cont.)

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:17pm

Day 8 (cont.)
A day with being surrounded by nonstop views.
The only downside from this day is that some point I broke my second toe on my right foot, which would slow down the rest of my journey as I tried to keep from coming to hard down on it. Between taking so many pictures, rain, hail, and my toe did not go near as far as I expected.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:29pm

Day 9 (7/28/23)
8.1m to 1m North of Chalk Creek Pass
Would have liked to have gone farther, but could see the storm moving in. So grabbed the first flat spot I could find by the lake. As I was setting up my tent the wind blew and I had to catch it before it flew away (potentially in the lake). Finding campsites is harder than on the East. The comparison is similar in many ways to the AT first 12 states (East) and the West being more challenging like NH and ME. Hit 100 mile mark today.

Very interesting hole left over from mining. Impressive bridge.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:31pm

Day 9 (cont.)
Lots of rock, snow, and lakes. I actually used the cut down tree to cook my lunch on.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:33pm

Day 9 (cont.)
Mountains, lakes, snow, and flowers.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:40pm

Day 10 (7/29/23)
10.5m to North Fork Chalk Creek
Rained the most it had when I was hiking this afternoon and setting up camp. In 11 nights (including Day 0 when I camped near the trailhead) this is only the third time I camped with someone else. Originally planned to go another 0.5m, but the log bridge was broken and with all the rain today it was above the rocks too. Toe hurts, but only 50 more miles to go.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:44pm

Day 10 (cont.)
Interesting to see abandoned snow mobile near where they once had the snowplow trials. Was nice to walk along what used to be a railroad track for a while.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 8:45pm

Day 10 (cont.)

LIhikers · Oct 3rd 2023, 10:04pm

Thanks for all the great photos

IMScotty · Oct 4th 2023, 6:29pm

Great trip report Astro.
Beautiful scenery.
Love the adorable Pika.
Incredible sunrise. Worth the windy night!

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:22pm

Day 11 (July 30)
4.7m just past small steam
Day started off great. After walking the first 0.5m of the morning I ran into a pair of German Baptist women at the campsite I had originally targeted. They had skirts and head coverings, but other than that they were just any other Colorado Trail thru-hikers. I was really encouraged seeing them out for an adventure. After that did the big climb of the day and was coming down from the peak and it started raining. I got down to the stream and cooked my lunch. All this time while it was raining and lightning. 3 SoBo hikers were waiting at the stream. As I finished eating they asked what I was going to do, so I said planned to climb the next ridge North Bound (NoBo). One of them was an Asian young women had a fancy GPS with the forecast of severe thunderstorms until 10pm. They said they were going below tree line. I wanted to stick with my plan, but I thought about the story about the man sitting on his roof during a flood. A boat came by to get him and he said no God would take care of him. Next came a helicopter and he told them the same thing. Water kept rising and then he yelled oh God why have you forsaken me. God responded what do you mean I already sent a boat and a helicopter. I always pray for wisdom, so I followed them down below tree line and set up my tent in the worst I remembered camping in. Rain and hail beating down on my tent with plenty of thunder and lightning. I would have been soaked and a prime target for lightning walking 5 miles above tree line. Moral of story is go to church or own a fancy GPS device with weather forecast. I will try to walk the remaining 11.2m tomorrow to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead to catch a ride to Buena Vista to resupply since it is taking longer that expected due to my broken toe.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:30pm

Day 11 (cont.)
More pictures from the morning, and looking at them you see why the storm was a surprise for me. Went through a lot of rocks followed by snow. Other than the last picture of the hail after setting up my tent, I did not get any after the storm came through.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:45pm

Day 12
(July 31)
11.3m to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead.
Climbing the mile back up to the trail above tree line was a lot harder than going down yesterday. Was nice to get the extra sleep since I fell asleep by 2pm. Caught some of the sunrise on the way up. Crossed lots more rocks and snow as I walked above tree line most of the day. Some really nice views. Rained on me some later in the day, but no serious storm with the lightning sounding distant.

Will get a late start tomorrow since I have to hitch the 19 miles back. I contacted one of the CTF approved shuttlers and she wanted $135! The hostel I planned to stay at must have went out of business. So I am at a Super 8. Got a ride with some Hassidic Jews (live outside NYC) from Cottonwood Pass. Interesting conversation. Ate supper at Subway. Ended up walking 2m in town which seemed like nothing. Was intending to not wash clothes, but since looking more like 16 days instead of 13, when ahead took advantage of the Super 8 Washer and Dryer.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:49pm

Day 12 (cont.)
I thought it was interesting that they created rock "sideboards" by the rock "sidewalk". Probably to prevent the rain from washing things away.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:51pm

Day 12 (cont.)

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 8:53pm

Day 12 (cont.)

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:07pm

Day 13
(August 1)
8.3m between Texas Creek Rd & Prospector Gulch
134.7 completed and exactly 27m to go. Late start since I spent night in town and had to hitch back. Lady passed me her bike and said she would be back in 5 minutes with her car. She had previously hike CT, Long Trail, and JMT. Started at 10:20 instead of 5:30 or 6. But it sure was nice to take a real shower and wash clothes, dry out my tent, and get the supplies I needed to finish since it has taken longer than I expected. Tomorrow is a big day as I go over the snow and ice of Lake Ann Pass. This is the most dangerous part of the trip. Run into lots of SoBo and there impressions are interesting. Those from TX, FL, TN, etc.. say it is the scariest thing they have ever done in their life. Opposed to those from CO or Europe who look at me like what are talking about (no big deal to them). Started raining tonight right after I set up my tent. Hopefully, it will not rain too much. Just before finding tent site, I recognized two famous hiking YouTube content creators, Evan and Liz, who were hiking the Colorado Trail SoBo.

As the nice lady was shuttling me back we passed skateboarders coming down. I would see them again when starting the trail on the other side of Cottonwood Pass. They were not dressed like regular skateboarders (shorts and t-shirt), instead weather leather long pants and jackets like on a motorcycle. They may have been thrill seeking, but not dumb. Must have a person shuttling them back up the mountain.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:13pm

Day 13 (cont.)
South Texas Creek would be the only time I would have to take off my shoes to ford across. After crossing I was eating lunch when a group of teenage girls came and said they could usually just walk across the rocks. Perhaps a later snow melt this year. After that I had several sketchy log crossing, but fortunately never fell in. Interesting partial log cabins.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:17pm

Day 13 (cont.)
Evan and Liz. If you want a video of the Collegiate West I would recommend trying their websites. They were very kind and after a brief conversation let me take these pictures.

Evan

Liz

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:21pm

Day 13 (cont.)

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:34pm

Day 14
(August 2)
9m to near South Fork Clear Creek
143.7m down, leaving 18m to go. Found a one tent spot just off trail just as it started to rain. Was hoping to go a few more miles so I would have a shot at finishing tomorrow (Thursday). But now I can finish in the middle of Friday and break the long trip home (>1,000m & 16 hr), and get home sometime Saturday afternoon. I'm so happy to get over Lake Ann Pass safely. Perhaps because I was prepared, it did not seem as sketchy as some made it out to be. This has been a neat experience, but I will be glad to back home. Tired of having my life determined by the rain (currently coming down on my tent). But glad to once again have set it up in time. Actually the weather could have been worse. Most days I walked through light rain. Other than the day I had to drop below tree line at 1:30pm, the heaviest rain has been at night.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:38pm

Day 14 (cont.)
Lake Ann Pass. A steep fall down the rocks if you slipped on the snow/ice.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:41pm

Day 14 (cont.)

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:46pm

Day 15
9.2m to halfway up Hope Pass
Putting me at 152.9m, with only 8.8 for me to do tomorrow. I still have 1.5m to go up, but have done half the elevation (steeper at the bottom). Should still still be able to get some driving done tomorrow since the rest of miles are downhill or flat. Since horses (and I guess any pack animals) are allowed, I thought it interesting they designated a special place for them to drink. Big ant hill right on the trail.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:49pm

Day 15 (cont.)
Interesting metal box left on the trail. My last on the trail, and once was all alone until a little before dark a couple of tents of young women showed up.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:52pm

Day 16
8.8m to Twin Lakes (North) CT/CDT Junction
Took off early got to see the "impressive" bear hang the young women did the night before. Nice view on the rest of the way up Hope Pass.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:55pm

Day 16 (cont.)
At the top of Hope Pass. Fortunately a day hiker showed up and took some pictures for me.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 9:58pm

Day 16 (cont.)
With over 3,000 feet of elevation loss going down Hope Pass I went from bundled up to just my short sleeves. I skipped Interlaken this time. Later I will try to post the pictures I took back in 2021 of it.

Astro · Dec 2nd 2023, 10:08pm

Day 16 (cont.)
Not a summit, but a completion picture. I heard some women behind me so I hurried to get there and then asked them to take some pictures of me. Should of had them take one landscape I guess.

Still had to walk over a mile back to my car, but then celebrated at Highway 50 Burger in Salida. Spent the night in Raton, NM and a great breakfast in the morning before driving home.

odd man out · Dec 3rd 2023, 10:26am

great trip

LIhikers · Dec 4th 2023, 9:31am

ah, yes, the post hike meal always tastes so good.

Astro on CT 2023

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