Astro on CT 2023

Astro · Jul 18th 2023, 1:00pm

Looking to do the Collegiate Loop. FarOut says 161 miles, but other sources have 163.

Arrived in Leadville yesterday to spend two nights at the Inn in the Clouds trying to get acclimated to the elevation. Today I am driving back to Denver to catch Rockies - Astros game. Hopefully the 5pm thunderstorm does not delay the 6:40 start (51% participation). Tommorow I will drop off my resupply boxes at Mount Princeton and Monarch Crest. Will then park at Twin Lakes and camp and start Thursday with the Eastern Collegiates and finish with the West. Hopefully all the snow on trail on the West will have melted by then.

Drove to Montana but was so hazy you couldn't really see anything. Same with Wyoming. At least Colorado is clear. With MT, I have been to all 48 contiguous states. Just AK and HI to go.

IMScotty · Jul 18th 2023, 6:17pm

Excellent, looking forward to hearing about this hike.

Astro · Jul 19th 2023, 12:03pm

Beautiful ballpark.
Thunderstorm 2 hours before and on way back to Leadville, but none during game. :thumbup:

Astro · Jul 19th 2023, 9:20pm

Astro wrote:

Beautiful ballpark.
Thunderstorm 2 hours before and on way back to Leadville, but none during game.

Astro · Jul 27th 2023, 6:57am

Made it past the halfway point yesterday.

Astro · Jul 27th 2023, 7:00am

The other side (view) of the CT/CDT south junction.

Astro · Jul 27th 2023, 7:03am

And for context here is my start at the north junction last Thursday.

LIhikers · Jul 27th 2023, 3:16pm

enjoy your trip

Astro · Aug 5th 2023, 1:53am

Finished today!!!
While the East took barely over 6 days, the West took 10 days. While the West is harder (rockier and higher elevation), a bigger facor I believe is that I broke a toe on Day 8. Could really tell a difference over the rocks and down hills. Took hundreds of pictures, but with the extra time it may take awhile before I get daily trip reports up.

IMScotty · Aug 5th 2023, 2:08pm

I cannot wait for your trip report Astro

Traffic Jam · Aug 10th 2023, 2:35am

Congratulations Astro!

LIhikers · Aug 10th 2023, 12:28pm

Another trail to mark as being done. :thumbup:

Astro · Aug 13th 2023, 10:20pm

Great news, I was finally able to get my pictures uploaded from my phone to my laptop. Full day and evening tomorrow, but later this week I should be able to start writing my trip report daily entries.

Believe me the scenery is so beautiful it looks good even with a poor photographer like me.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 2:09pm

Day 0 (July 19, 2023)
To "try" to get better acclimated to the altitude I spent two nights at Inn the Clouds Hostel in Leadville. It is 10,158 feet, although yesterday I drove back down to only mile high Denver for the Astros-Rockies, but was back to sleep at high elevation. And being stuck on a top bunk I guess I was even higher.

Today I started by going to Melanzana to buy a sun hoodie. A little bit of sticker shock since I am used stuff on sale instead of full price. But I figured this was my chance, and if I do the entire Colorado Trail next year or later I would have it.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 2:26pm

Day 0
Monarch Crest
Next I went to Monarch Crest to drop off my second resupply box. The sold it over the winter and made great renovations from what it had been the past 3 years I was there. Grabbed lunch today and would have two more meals there when I would return halfway thru my hike.

They also added some neat displays. The last picture of the front of the store shows the Continental Divide effect with Atlantic & Pacific.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 2:32pm

Day 0
Monarch Crest
Last year my middle son and I were going to ride the Tramway, but lightning had struck and the power was down. So since he has now moved to Japan I thought I should ride in his honor/memory (or whatever). When I was at the top the I had to strap my cap around a bench before I went outside to take more pictures. The winds were over 40mph and they were not letting new people come up, but we still need to get back down. Needless to say it was interesting.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 2:47pm

Day 0
Next I drove to Mount Princeton Hot Springs to drop off my first resupply box. Then went to Buena Vista to get one last real meal (salad with steak) at the restaurant that share a building with the Trailhead outfitter.

Then I drove on to the Twin Lakes Interlaken Trailhead. I put my pack on and walked about 0.2 mile on the Colorado Trail but stopped because something felt strange. Then I realized what it was, I didn't have my hiking poles. I had moved them to the very front of my trunk when my oldest son and and a couple of other extended family members to the airport the previous week. So back to my car I went, and then hiked about a mile (1.4 altogether) to get the closest campsite I could to the CT/CDT junction. I was by one of the Twin Lakes (I probably have some of both lakes in my 2020 thread, and will add one later to my 2021 thread. The only bad thing about the site is I could hear some bikes go by before I fell asleep.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 9:57pm

Day 1 (7/20/23)
10.7 miles (11.0m counting CT to get to CDT/CT Junction) to 2m below ridge of Waverly Mountain
Nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Would have liked to knocked at the last 2m, but decided to leave the remaining 1,200 feet of elevation for first thing in the morning.

No one was there first thing in the morning to take my picture at the junction, so I went with the selfie. Here are some picture of the various types of flowers and bushes.

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 10:07pm

Day1
I always love the views of Clear Creek Reservoir coming down the switchbacks. My fourth year in a row seeing it. The first two years I spent the night at Clear Creek, but like last year I wanted to knock some of the nearly 3,000 ft climb over 4.4m before the day was over. I cooked and early dinner at Clear Creek and made at least 2.4m and and close to 1,800 feet of the climb. Despite the two nights in Leadville, I still really feel the impact of the altitude gain, especially since I am from practically sea level (200 feet).

Astro · Aug 16th 2023, 10:10pm

Day 1
A few more interesting pictures from my first day. Cactus and a Colorado Trail sign.

Astro · Aug 19th 2023, 1:54pm

Day 2 (7/21/23)
12.4m to Three Elk Creek.
Over 3,000 ft elevation gain. Started morning with 1,200 to ridge of Waverly Mountain, and 1.7m later another 1,400 to gain the ridge of Mount Harvard. Three times I had gone thru the Mount Harvard ridge in storms. Twice kept hiking thru on my way to Frenchman's Creek, and last year with my son we set up our tents just before we left below tree line. It was nice to walk through it with out a storm and corresponding rain, hail, thunder, lightning.

Tomorrow another 2,600 in the morning (up from Sliver Creek to Mount Yale ridge, extremely exposed to sun), and things should be more level the next few days. Had to put Luekotape on my right big toe.

I chose the log over the mud. Plenty more logs to cross in the new few weeks!

Lots of beautiful mountains.

Astro · Aug 19th 2023, 2:06pm

Day 2
More mountain views, flowers, streams were flowing well, and always find these rock formations interesting. Ate early dinner at Frenchman's Creek, then went 3.3m on to Elk Creek. Wanted to get as close as I could to Silver Creek, so I could start the big climb as early as I could in morning to minimize my exposure to the sun, which I remembered far too well from 2021 when I had a later start from Frenchman's Creek.

Elk Creek actually has like four different campgrounds since it is the crossing of the Colorado Trail, Elk Creek Trail, and Elk Creek. Interesting as in 12 of my 16 nights I camped by myself, but in close proximity were other at the various other campsites. I ran to a hiker later the next day who had stayed at Frenchman's Creek, but said she had actually seen Elk here when she passed early in the morning

One other neat thing about hiking the same parts of trail 4 years in a row, some of those log bridges did not previously exist, and other in bad shape have been replaced. Only one time in 162 miles would I need to ford, when prior trips it was multiple times in much less mileage.

Astro · Aug 19th 2023, 2:32pm

Day 3 (7/22/23)
12.5m to South Cottonwood Creek.
2,500 elevation gain out of Silver Creek was tough. A lot of it exposed with no tree coverage. Nearly 3,000 gain for the day. Once at the top of the ridge off Yale Mountain stopped to take a break. Meet a triple crowner and his wife who I believe were once interviewed on Backpacker Radio. They were doing the Collegiate Loop also, but counter clockwise as several I had met in the past few days, and would continue to meet.

Once at South Cottonwood Creek I set up my tent and was going for water when I meet BJ and his youngest daughter. There was already one tent there and I had set up by the adjacent tent site. I thought it strange that he said he needed room for 2 tents. But then as I was cooking my dinner his wife and 2 other daughters walked in and the need for 2 tents made sense. They were from MN and hiking the entire Colorado Trail. I texted my wife that night that I guessed they were from ages 7 to 11. The next day at Mount Princeton Hot Springs, I asked and confirmed that was the range. I guess it helps to have 4 raised children and so many nieces and nephews. I told the girls how neat this adventure was and they should really be grateful to their parents. I would camp with them again the next night, and they would be only hikers I would see more than twice as basically hiked together (leap frogging each other and sometimes taking breaks together at water sources) until Day 6 when they get off at US 50 to resupply and stay at the Monarch RV park. Closest I really came to that AT feel or hiking with others, as everybody else I met doing the Collegiate Loop was going counter clockwise, and once I got on the West all of the Colorado Trail (and one CDT)) were all south bound.

Didn't take as many pictures today as I was on a mission to get up the climb as quick as could before the sun got too hot, and then trying to get a close as I could to set up getting to Mount Princeton Hot Springs by lunch tomorrow.

Astro · Aug 20th 2023, 5:19pm

Day 4 (7/23/23)
13.3m to Chalk Creek.
Great day as I spent 5 hours at Mount Princeton Hot Springs. Had great hamburger with the lettuce, tomato, and onion that I crave when on trail. Then left my power bank at front desk to charge as I did Senior Citizens discount day pass at the hot springs. Great to shower before and after (even if it was a community shower). I believe the hot water helped my aching legs and back. Laid down on the pool chair to just rest. With my pack and dirty clothes beside me probably looked like a homeless person to anyone who does not understand backpacking. So then grabbed a Hunts Sausage Pizza chunk, followed by an ice cream sandwich. Got my resupply box and repacked. Best day so far. I know this was my son's favorite part last year (though we quit 20 miles earlier at Silver Creek and drove in).

Astro · Aug 20th 2023, 5:41pm

Day 4
Some more interesting things from yesterday. No way I could pass up not taking a break on this rock that looked like a chair.

The next picture is of a 5 way intersection so they used limbs and rocks to try keep you on the Colorado Trail. After I left Mount Princeton Hot Springs I had 2.4m more to go to get my campsite. Sure enough once I got out it start raining then hail and the wind was really strong. But after a while it passed on and the deer crossed right before I got to to the campsite.

The last picture is from earlier in the day when the trail crossed through private land before starting a road walk. The road walk started with what looked like a dirt road, but it must have just been solid rock with liked a little sand on top of it. Eventually paved roads, which while faster than normal trail, but don't feel so safe with traffic.

IMScotty · Aug 22nd 2023, 4:28pm

Astro, was that Melanzana Hoodie worth the hype?

Astro · Aug 22nd 2023, 6:47pm

IMScotty wrote:

Astro, was that Melanzana Hoodie worth the hype?

I don't know. Since I hadn't treated it with permethrin, I didn't use it this trip. I need to test it, probably won't really know until next summer.

Traffic Jam · Aug 22nd 2023, 8:18pm

Astro wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

Astro, was that Melanzana Hoodie worth the hype?

I don't know. Since I hadn't treated it with permethrin, I didn't use it this trip. I need to test it, probably won't really know until next summer.

during Covid, Melanzana sold online via a lottery and both myself and my daughter won the lottery. So I have two hoodies, two dresses, and a skirt.

I love them, they are very warm and comfy but I would not hike in them. They are too nice and pricey in my opinion. I prefer to hike in crappy clothes because I’m prone to getting filthy. My kids say I’m cursed.

For reference, I can wear the dress with some tights (no jacket) on a very cold day and stay warm.

IMScotty · Aug 22nd 2023, 8:29pm

Astro, great trip report. I've been just catching up. Don't think I'll ever have the time to do the CT, so at least I can live vicariously.

jimmyjam · Aug 24th 2023, 9:24pm

Great pictures Astro!

Astro · Aug 24th 2023, 11:01pm

jimmyjam wrote:

Great pictures Astro!

Thanks, I will try to get some more up tomorrow.

Astro · Aug 26th 2023, 8:46pm

Day 5 (7/24/23)
11m to between Sand and Squaw Creeks.
Nearly 3,000 in elevation gain. Hotter today and also seemed to feel elevation effects more. Sometimes you are high in the trees which nice, but sometimes totally exposed and you can feel the sun. Meet 3 senior female hikers from East TN. I would be leapfrogging them the next couple of days. They hiked faster, but no longer than I did. Spent the night near what looked like an Indian/Native American set of logs stacked up like for a teepee. Also heard cows during the night, which I guess is better than bears.

Able to catch some sun rise pictures this morning.

Astro · Aug 26th 2023, 8:52pm

Day 5
Been wearing Brooks Cascadia's for 8 years and they usually last 500 miles but these started tearing apart at less than 80 miles (30 from the BMT). Found right away sign interesting. When walking through the exposed head I took shade when I found a tree and leaned against it. Then this ladybug decided it wanted to crawl on my pack. Bottom picture is the teepee(?) logs where I camped.

odd man out · Aug 27th 2023, 8:54am

I too wear Cascadias. 50 mile on Isle Royale really scuffed them up, but I think it is mostly cosmetic wear. I hope they don't fall apart prematurely.

IMScotty · Aug 27th 2023, 1:09pm

More great photos Astro

Astro · Sep 5th 2023, 3:16pm

Day 6 (7/25/23)
14.8m to South Fooses Creek.
Started off the day with see lots of cows (like I was hearing in my tent the night before). Really need to breathe through your nose with all the flys (cows do not dig cat holes, not LNT as far as the trail goes.

Astro · Sep 5th 2023, 3:20pm

Day 6 (cont.)
Some really nice views after the cows. Had to drop down to US 50 then back up to South Fooses Creek. Some of the uphill was a dirt road walk so while perhaps not as scenic, was a little easier than most uphill climbs.

Tomorrow morning I will complete the East part of the Collegiate Loop and begin the higher more scenic and difficult West.

IMScotty · Sep 5th 2023, 7:50pm

Looks very pretty Astro...

I like to fall asleep to the distant tinkling of cow bells.

Astro · Sep 5th 2023, 9:35pm

IMScotty wrote:

Looks very pretty Astro...

I like to fall asleep to the distant tinkling of cow bells.

You would like Appanzel, Switzerland then.

Astro · Oct 3rd 2023, 6:39pm

Day 7 (7/26/23)
10m to around 1.4m up out of Monarch Crest Souvenir Shop.
Got up at 4amto get out on trail by 5am. Skipped dinner last night due to camping at established camp site near creek alone and didn't want to advertise to any bears. So ate my Mountain House dinner for breakfast and hiked some in the dark. No reliable water forecasted for 8.6m, so started out with 3 liters. Actually were a few streams, but I was not taking any chances. The first 3.6m was almost 2,000 feet in elevation gain to the CT/CDT or Collegiate East/West junction. After which I would switch to my more traditional NoBo instead of SoBo I had done the last 6 days.

Fortunately a couple of Collegiate West SoBo young women came as I was taking selfies at the junction and helped me get some better pictures.

Nice pretty level hiking for 5m from junction to Monarch Crest Souvenir Ship where I spent 4 hours in AC, ate lunch and dinner of real food Hamburger with LTO (Lettuce Tomato Onions), cup of chili and fries for lunch. Brisket sandwich for supper. Able to clean up some (but no shower). Got my second and final resupply box. Could barely close my pack with 6 days food. Also had to carry out 3 liters of water since none for 8.6m again (this time a accurate). Definitely the heavies my pack would be (probably pushing over 30 pounds with all the food and extra water). Took advantage of WiFi to catch up on work emails. Which is good since service is questionable next (expected) 6 days.

More pretty flowers on way up to the junction and views as I got closer.

Astro on CT 2023

Astro on CT 2023

Astro wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

Astro wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

jimmyjam wrote:

IMScotty wrote:

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