Should i stay or shoulD i go
Even though my alarm was set for 6:15, I had no intention of actually adhering to that; as much as I may have wanted to.
I woke up at 7 and took a shower and packed up my gear. Most was already good to go, so it didn’t take long.
There looked like a good breakfast joint about half mile up the road. So off I went for some yummy food. I may have also had a mimosa. Because it’s Tuesday, and apparently I can’t go back to the trail without being intoxicated. Oh well.
I plopped myself across the street and started to hitch. I was happy that in only about 10-15 mins someone picked me up. He was going to Buena Vista, which unfortunately split from 50 mid way, so he dropped me off in Poncha Springs to hitch again. I wasn’t all that mad, he said he was going to Buena Vista to the DMV to get his license. And this car was a rental because his steering on his car broke. Nice kid though.
About 15-20 mins later, a couple hikers get dropped off where I am, but going from the trail into town. So they walked down the road a bit to be on the other side of the turn (towards Salida).
About 15 mins later, a fella named Marco picked me up. Living around the Denver area, he’s off driving for a few days before his sons track meet later this week. Was on his was to Gunnison, and Monarch Pass was on the way so he was nice enough to bring me up there.
And then away I went on the trail. It was actually quite nice (and dry!). Some great views, but I was moving a bit slow. I ran into threshold and nibbles (two of the folks I gave rides to during my time off trail)! That was fun. They only plan to do about 15 a day, so off I went after we chatted a little.
Just over 10 miles into the day, and there’s a road, that leads directly to a hostel which is apparently great. I should have stayed there yesterday and slack packed that stretch (leave most the gear at the hostel hike with just some food and water). The grumbles of a bed and real food and one more night of comfort before pushing my body again started to grow louder and louder.
Finally, I got to the turn off. I was moving a bit slow today. A lot of up hill and still a bit tired and sore. Half a day wouldn’t be terrible, right? I ate almost none of my lunch today, so I have a full resupply for the 60 miles it would take me to get to twin lakes from the hostel.
That would eat up another day, and I just got back on the trail. I couldn’t wimp out after 10 miles. So I sat there. Just relaxed and watched the clouds go by as I pondered the dilemma I was in; comfort and lose a day, or stick to the plan?
Eventually, I decided it was the latest it could be to still get in the 20 miles I had planned. I didn’t start until after 10 am which is pretty late, and it was 4 now. But I decided to push on. No progress will be made always extending town time, as much as I would have liked to.
The trail for the next 10 miles was quite beautiful. Went over a massive pass with gorgeous views on either side. Then a steady descent downwards.
A few miles before my 20 mile marker, and I begin this trail called the Alpine Tunnel Trail. It apparently follows an old 1800s railroad cut in the mountain. There’s no lines or anything in pace anymore, but the 5-6 foot wide flat trail is, so it’s made for some pretty nice hiking. Looks like somewhere Hell on Wheels would have been filmed.
I’m happy I pushed on, and 20 miles starting so lates not bad. To put it into perspective, as I started at my usual time of 7a, I could have potentially added 9 miles to that (depending on terrain, of course).
Tomorrow looks like it’s going to be interesting... lots of tall points to go up and down. I have close to 7000 feet in elevation gain! But the views are supposed to be epic. Just hoping for little to no snow!
