On 9/18 I did 20.5 miles to Tank Seven Creek. On 9/19 I did 22.9 miles to Lujan Creek. On 9/20 I did 22.7 miles to Cochetopa Creek. On 9/21 I did 22.9 miles to a saddle in between mineral creek. On 9/22 I did 9.6 miles to Lake.City.
Listen to "Once In a Lifetime" by the Talking Heads. Where is my beautiful house and my large automobile? (okay we all know I dont care about houses and cars, the real question is how did I get here?).
The section of trail after Monarch Pass has been relatively chill. I am just cruising along the trail bouncing between 9,000 and 11,000 feet and not really noticing any of the elevation changes along the way. It feels like I am in the foothills and actually dropped back down into sage brush country for a stretch, which I thought I had seen the last of back in Wyoming. While I haven't been at high elevation that hasn't affected the views, in fact this has been one of the most picturesque stretches so far; especially going through the groves of aspen which have just started to turn yellow. I have also cut my miles back and have been enjoying my surroundings even more than normal, it feels like I'm out for a stroll more than an arduous hike. The mornings are frosty and cold but the cool air is invigorating and I feel lucky that I'm only walking through cold morning air and not feet of snow.
On 9/21 I climbed out of the valley to the base of San Luis Peak. This will be my 5th and last 14,000 foot climb on the trail. I tried to climb every 14er along the CDT. I missed Mt. Huron because I didn't know it was a 14er until I was 10 miles past it and wasnt about to walk backwards, so I'll just have to get it next time. The climb up San Luis was a relatively easy climb over talos fields, the only difficulty was fighting the wind that was cutting through every layer of clothing I was wearing, and trying to blow me off the mountain. The view from the top was spectacular as I got my first glimpse of the San Juan Mountain range which for me is the holy land. I came off the peak and made my way through several valleys and camped on a saddle. I have been camping mostly on exposed ridgelines or deep in valleys near patches of willows because almost all of the trees in this section of mountains are dead from the pine beetle infestation and I don't want a tree to fall on and kill me (about one hiker dies a year from falling trees on one of the long trails). This state was hit really hard by the pine beetles. In other sections of the state I would say 60 to 70 percent of the pine trees are dead; in my current section 100% of the trees are dead.
On the 22nd I went into Lake City for a resupply. I've been asked a lot about my resupply strategy as it has changed from trail to trail. On the CDT I am having a box mailed to me with food to each town I stop in. This strategy works for me for numerous reasons. 1) It saves me a bunch of time in town since I don't have to run around going shopping. Occasionally there is a big grocery store in town but usually most hikers are picking through gas station aisles or general stores trying to figure out what to eat. 2) It saves a bunch of money. A lot of the small mountain towns are pretty expensive and a single cliff bar can sometimes cost $2 which adds up when I eat 5 a day. All of the food mailed to me was bought in advance and was either bought in bulk or at a super low price since it had already expired (yeah I know I'm cheap). 3) I also need special food on trail. I dont carry a stove so all of my food needs to be cold soaked and I also dont eat processed meats so with my unique diet it's just easier to have everything shipped out to me. Having about 30 boxes shipped out to me across the country at very specific times and places only works because I have a solid ATC (air traffic controller) at home. My dad is perfect for the job for numerous reasons. 1) He is retired and can react quickly to my last second requests. 2) He is an extremely detail oriented (perfectionist) person and knows where every box is, its ETA and contents at all times. 3) He generally cares if I live or die and while thinks most of my requests are absurd, he makes the logistics happen.
Looking at the San Jauns from a distance
Cochepota Creek
Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn Peaks in the Distance
Looking back at San Luis Peak
Ontop of San Luis Peak
View coming off Monarch Pass
They are finally turning