Monarch pass
This morning I woke up to a nice warm day. Usually, the mornings are quite chilly and i stuff myself in my sleeping bag as I prepare breakfast and coffee (with hot cocoa!).
I woke up just before 5a when the sun began to rise. I decided that rather than cook breakfast and make coffee, I rather get an earlier start and thus an earlier entry into Salida.
With “only” 15 miles on the day, I shoulda made quick work of it finishing by 10:45. Hopefully, into town shortly after.
However, the morning started slowly (hiking wise). I wasn’t feeling 100% and my body was even more sore. The two weeks off really zapped my physical progress! That paired with having a lighter breakfast made it slow moving at times. A little incline and I was wiped. Lots of blow downs required me to zig zag, hop over, and navigate around massive trees, extending my time a little bit.
All in all, the trail was smooth and dry. A bit of bumps, but nothing like yesterday. Reports said there was a bit of snow 6 miles before the pass, so I was mentally preparing for that. I was happy to find only a few patches, and nothing that lasted very long. There was one point I needed to climb 10 feet of slushy snow like a ladder. But otherwise, all good!
A mile and change before the road, the day walkers started coming out. Families and groups of folks enjoying the mountain as it becomes snow free. Saw at least 20 people in that last couple miles!
As soon as I made it down to a monarchs pass, I quickly ran into the store to grab a soda (and use the bathroom). Shortly after, I was posted up on the side of the road hitchin’ away.
I was pleased to find that only after 10 maybe 15 mins of standing out there, a fella named Dillon in his sporty Subaru pulled up to give me a ride. He had been in Gunnison checking out some cars, which he works in and flips.
He was awesome. Not only did he give me a ride into town, which was partially out of his way, he also brought me around to help run some errands and helped me find a motel with an open room.
Eventually, he dropped me at the Walmart so I could do my resupply while I waited for my room to be ready at the motel (which thankfully was the closest to Walmart).
I still had some time to kill afterwards, so walked to the Mexican restaurant between Walmart and my hotel. Had some tasty food and a couple margaritas. Finally, my I could get into my room, and so I did. And I did not leave the room the rest of the day. Laid out in bed watching TV and ordered in dinner. Happy to be inside relaxing.
Not sure if I plan to spend the day here tomorrow or not. Part of me wants to keep the momentum going, but the Ort of me that’s living in reality knows my body will not be happy. Will see how I feel in the morning.
